Transmitter Compliance Procedures

All transmitters, including Spread Spectrum Devices (SSD) such as WiFi (employing single carrier direct-sequence spread spectrum and multi-carrier OFDM [Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing] technology) and Bluetooth (employing fast frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) technology), must be operated in Australia under the authority of a radiocommunications license. To operate these SSD in Australia without having to hold individual licenses for each device, they must comply with "The Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) (LIPD) Class License 2000."

Provided the device meets the requirements of any of the “Items” listed in Schedule 1 of the LIPD Class license in terms of the operating frequency range and power constraints, the “Radiocommunications Devices (Compliance Labelling) Notice 2003” (the Notice) , and the applicable Standard (AS/NZS 4268) the notice calls up, would deem the device to be an RF “Level 1” compliant device.

Bluetooth devices can be operated under several “Items” in Schedule 1 of the LIPD class license applying to the 2.4 GHz band operating between 2400 MHz and 2483.5 MHz.

Compliant devices must be labelled with the C-Tick compliance mark.

Compliance records will need to be established for the device, which for an RF "Level 1" compliant device, must contain the following;

1. A product description (photographs, product brochure etc),
2. A signed declaration of conformity (declaring to the “ACMA Radiocommunications (Short Range Devices) Standard 2004”).

Whilst not required for a RF “Level 1” device, to ensure the product complies, it would be prudent to obtain some of the following information to substantiate the device is compliant;

1. Written authority by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC Approval) for a device to operate in the United States of America (USA), together with documented information showing how the device has been altered to meet Australian requirements where these diverge from USA requirements or,
2. A test report prepared by an accredited testing body endorsed in accordance with the body's accreditation criteria or,
3. A test report from a person that is not an accredited testing body or,
4. A manufacturer's performance specification for the device.

A test report to AS/NZS 4771 may be used to show compliance under points 2. or 3. above.

Note: SSD where AS/NZS 4771 was the applicable standard, were incorporated by an amendment to AS/NZS 4268:2003 in October 2005 which, amongst other things, included frequency-hopping spread spectrum transmitters. As the full suite of SSD have now been replicated in the ACMA Radiocommunications (Short Range Devices) Standard 2004, it is expected that the spread spectrum standard, AS/NZS 4771, will be revoked - although when is undetermined.

The New Zealand requirements are very similar. Please refer to the gazzetted Radiocommunications (Radio Standards) Notice 2007.

For further information, please contact Braco Compliance Ltd.