Chatterbox vision
December 2015 - The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has proposed to make it easier for operators of machine to machine (M2M) wireless communications links used in the Internet of Things (IoT).
The IoT refers to the inter-connection of many devices and objects utilising internet protocols, and it is regarded as the next stage in digital communications convergence within the wider economy.
Significant productivity benefits are also expected to be realised, with a recent McKinsey report estimating a potential global economic impact of IoT applications totalling US$11.1 trillion per year in 2025.
The IoT has also been a topic of an occasional paper the ACMA released in November 2015. There the agency identified areas for regulatory attention that could be important for IoT developments in Australia. They include:
- resource allocation such as spectrum and telephone numbers needed for communications infrastructure;
- network security and integrity;
- the interoperability of devices and information; and
- the level of digital technical capabilities and literacy of Australian business and consumers.
The ACMA proposes to remove a technical barrier to the operation of narrowband low powered wireless networks that is presented in the current Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence 2015.
These changes in the 900 megahertz, 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) and 5.8 GHz bands are to encourage innovations in the M2M and IoT spaces, by supporting a variety of applications such as data telemetry, machine data and monitoring, sensor networks, smart metering, security systems and industrial control.
Other proposed changes to current regulatory arrangements include the addition of the new frequency bands for radiodetermination transmitters used as industrial sensors; in-ground ultra-wide bandwidth transmitters used in automated parking management systems; building material analysis devices used for detection of objects in walls ceilings and floors; and to align for European arrangement for short range devices in the frequency bands 122.25-123 GHz and 244-246 GHz.