How is access to the 2.4 GHz band managed?
The ACMA management approach to the 2.4 GHz band relies on a ‘public park’ concept. Users of WLAN devices operating in this band are required to comply with a prescribed set of conditions that are intended to avoid destructive interference between users, in most situations. Devices may be operated without payment of a licence fee, and without individual frequency coordination or registration of location. Authorised operation is on the basis that no interference is caused to other radiocommunications users and no protection from interference is offered. Overseas regulatory arrangements are essentially the same in their effect. In July 2002, the former ACA published a report which discussed spectrum management arrangements for IEEE 802.11 devices in the USA, Europe and Asia (see Radiofrequency planning topics under Planning Developments – Radio LANs). In supporting the use of WLAN devices in Australia, there are obvious benefits in aligning domestic spectrum arrangements with world trend
