Australian Communications Authority
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The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) is the Government of Australia's regulator of radiocommunications and telecommunications.
The ACA was established in July 1997. It 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 Telecommunications Act 1997, the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 and the Radiocommunications Act 1992 and other related legislation.
The ACA works with the communications industry to achieve active self-regulation by industry and companies, while ensuring compliance with licence conditions, codes and standards. The ACA monitors the effect of regulations to ensure they are responsive to the community’s needs.
The ACA 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.
The ACA is funded through the Federal Budget. Yet, the ACA 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.
The ACA also collects revenue from price-based allocation of spectrum.
Main functions
- 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
Staff
The ACA has about 400 staff in offices across Australia. It has central offices in Canberra and Melbourne, and regional offices and operations centres around Australia.
External links
ACA web site (http://www.aca.gov.au)