Broadcasting 007 - Booster Systems for Remote Area TV

Booster Systems for Remote Area TV

1. Policy

Licences are to be granted for a maximum of five years only avoid preventing the creation of more permanent coverages.

2. Specific Criteria

A single licence would be provided with frequencies suitable to re-transmit the UHF TV or VHF TV services nominated by the applicant, although separate licences would be required where the frequencies are under separate management rights.

Licence applicants must agree in writing to cease transmissions immediately if interference occurs on frequencies other than those specified on the licence. Transmissions may recommence once an appropriate action to avoid the interference has been taken. The applicant must also agree that any interference to existing reception from the main signal would be remedied. The applicant is responsible for the costs incurred in remedying the interference where the interference is caused by the booster system.

Licences will be granted for a maximum of five years and will specify a maximum population coverage.

Licences will not be granted for commercial use.

Licences will specify a maximum effective isotropic radiated power (e.i.r.p.) of 0.5 watts per frequency. The e.i.r.p. may be increased at the discretion of the Ministry where the signal is weak. A Receive Coverage Location (RCL) will be specified closed to the site and the Maximum Permitted Interfering Signal (MPIS) will be specified at a very high level.

No resource rental will be payable, though normal engineering and regulation fees will apply.

3. Background

"On channel booster" systems involve amplifying and re-transmitting incoming signals to a pocket area on the same frequency. There are limitations as to the coverage possible (say up to 1-2 kilometres), and such systems are often temporary until a more permanent solution is found. For this reason, and to avoid restricting the potential for the creation of more permanent coverages in the future, licences are granted for a maximum of five years only.

Given the fact that only a very low coverage is achieved, often with a less than good quality picture, and that very little interference protection is afforded, the low value licence fee of $500 is waived for these licences.

Approved By:

Manager
Radio Spectrum Policy.