Australian Communications and Media Authority
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:Australian Communications and Media Authority Logo.gif Australian Communications and Media Authority is an Australian government agency whose main roles are to regulate broadcasting, radiocommunications and telecommunications, and to respresent Australian interests in international communications matters. It also has a role in regulating Internet content standards.
ACMA replaced two former government agencies — the Australian Broadcasting Authority and the Australian Communications Authority — when it came into force on 1 July 2005.
ACMA is an independent Authority with a board of five members, but administratively is part of the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA).
It exercises powers under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (in relation to broadcasting) and the Telecommunications Act 1997, the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 and the Radiocommunications Act 1992 and other related legislation (in relation to telecommunications).
ACMA works with the communications industry to achieve active self-regulation by industry and companies, while ensuring compliance with licence conditions, codes and standards. The ACMA monitors the effect of regulations to ensure they are responsive to the community’s needs.
ACMA also:
- regulates use of the radio-frequency spectrum to minimise interference
- informs the Australian community about communications regulation and industry performance
- works to ensure quality communications services are available.
ACMA is funded through the Federal Budget. Yet, ACMA collects substantial revenue on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia. Revenue is collected through telecommunications carrier and radiocommunications licence fees and charges, as well as through charges on telecommunications numbers.
ACMA also collects revenue from price-based allocation of spectrum.
Main functions
In respect of telecommunications:
- Represent Australia in international regulation of communications (see International Telecommunications Union)
- Manage access to the radiofrequency spectrum through radiocommunications licensing
- Resolve competing demands for spectrum through price-based allocation methods
- Investigate and help in resolving radiocommunications interference
- License telecommunications carriers and ensure compliance with licence conditions and carriage service provider rules
- Regulate industry compliance with mandatory standards and voluntary codes of practice
- Administer legislative provisions relating to powers and immunities of carriers in constructing telecommunications facilities
- Monitor compliance with consumer safeguards and service guarantees
- Administer universal service initiatives
- Report on telecommunications industry performance
- Maintain and administer the Telecommunications Numbering Plan (for telephones)
- Inform industry and consumers about communications regulation
In respect of broadcasting:
- develops licence area plans, and issuing and renewing licences for television and radio broadcasting in a range of licence classes including commercial, community, subscription, datacasting and narrowcasting;
- administers the ownership and control rules for broadcasting services
- oversees program content by investigating complaints about breaches of industry codes of practice, as well as complaints about the national broadcasters (ABC and SBS)
- administers the introduction of digital TV and radio
Staff
ACMA has about 400 staff in offices across Australia. It has central offices in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, and regional offices and operations centres around Australia.