Advocacy
Introducing the Spectrum Working Group
The Spectrum Working Group (SWG) is a committee of AOC Australia, exclusively supporting Australian Defence Industry participants. The SWG is a forum for Australian Defence Industry participants to engage in the domestic and international spectrum regulatory environments in a collaborative way. We make sure that your interests are known to spectrum policy-makers by representing Defence Industry interests in a variety of forums, and by ensuring that current spectrum regulation topics are communicated to the SWG membership.
SWG Meeting
Meeting Details
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Speaker: SWG Lead Glenn Odlum
Date: Wednesday, 27 August 2025
Time: 12:30 – 13:30 AEST | 14:30 – 15:30 NZST
Where: Online via Microsoft Teams | DPN Accessible​
Session recording: SWG Meeting APG27-2 Wrap-Up & Discussion
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What’s the meeting about?
This meeting, led by SWG Lead Glenn Odlum, will serve as a wrap-up following the 2nd Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) Conference Preparatory Group for WRC-27 (APG27-2), recently held in Pattaya, Thailand (28 July – 1 August 2025). We will provide an overview of the key outcomes and implications from APG27-2 and discuss their relevance to the Australian Defence Industry.
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We encourage all AOC members to join this important discussion to ensure industry perspectives are well considered as part of the broader spectrum regulatory process.
For reference, you may view the APG27-2 meeting information here: Asia-Pacific Telecommunity | APG27-2 Photos.
Session Highlights
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SWG Purpose
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Represents the Australian defence industry in domestic and international spectrum regulation.
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Works in alignment with Defence to provide advocacy and awareness of spectrum issues.
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Spectrum Governance
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Regulated by ACMA domestically and by the ITU internationally.
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Military spectrum use is recognised as a sovereign matter but not formally addressed in ITU regulations, underscoring the need for national and regional engagement.
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Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT)
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Region 3 body with 38 member states and 140 organisations.
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APG27-2 hosted 400 delegates from 30 countries, marking the first substantive discussions of the WRC-27 cycle.
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Goal: to build regional consensus positions ahead of the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-27).
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WRC-27: Agenda Items Highlighted in the Session
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1.2 – Small Earth station antennas: concerns about raised noise floor affecting satellite systems.
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1.7 – IMT/mobile services in bands overlapping key defence allocations (4400–4800 MHz, 7.1–8.4 GHz, 14.8–15.3 GHz). A significant concern for defence spectrum.
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1.9 – HF aeronautical mobile (off-route): proposal to enable wideband (up to 48 kHz) HF technologies, offering opportunities for defence. Glenn Odlum is chairing this item in the Asia-Pacific.
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1.13 – Direct-to-device satellite services (e.g. Starlink): currently without regulatory status; discussions ongoing.
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Other items – Space weather protections and additional Earth station allocations.
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Next Steps for SWG
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Strengthen engagement with Defence Spectrum Office and Department of Defence.
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Develop a work programme for AOC Australia Board approval.
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Encourage industry members to assess potential impacts/opportunities from WRC-27 agenda items.
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Continue quarterly SWG meetings to build momentum.
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Australian Contribution
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Glenn Odlum chaired Agenda Item 1.9 at APG27-2, giving Australia influence in HF discussions.
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Ongoing bilateral cooperation with New Zealand remains important in regional coordination.
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Want to get involved?
The SWG welcomes participation from across defence, government, and industry. We encourage you to join the conversation in our LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14388110/.
We’d love your feedback
If you joined us live or caught up via the recording, we welcome your thoughts. Please share your feedback via this short survey: https://forms.office.com/r/A1TLWjkytL
Spectrum Regulation 101
Spectrum is regulated globally by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN treaty organisation. The ITU administers the ITU Radio Regulations as international law. As a signatory to the convention, Australia abides by these regulations, which are reflected in Australian legislative frameworks.
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The spectrum market is administered in Australia by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, and is regulated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), who ensure that Australian users meet the rules of international agreements and that important public organisations such as defence and emergency services can use spectrum. The Defence Spectrum Office advocates on behalf of Defence and Defence capability, however this representation does not extend to commercial needs. Therefore, Defence Industry must represent their own interests in the various forums and stakeholder working groups.
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Spectrum regulation is managed globally over a four year cycle. Australian stakeholder groups provide input into these national and international regulatory processes via the Australian Radiocommunication Study Groups - it is these forums in which SWG members will participate.
FAQs
How do I sign up?
Email swg@aocaustralia.com to join our mailing list, and join our LinkedIn Group, click here:
How much does it cost?
Participation in the SWG is FREE for AOC Australia Sponsors and members. Non-member organisations may register to participate at a cost of $500 per year.
I'm not part of an industry organisation or involved in my employer's spectrum activities. Can I still be involved?
Yes! All AOC individual members are invited to participate. Sign up to our mailing list to receive access to SWG resources.
I'd like to be more involved!
AOC Australia and the SWG are run by volunteers committed to promoting the interests of Australia's IW community. If you're interested in helping out and getting some personal and professional development along the way, please get in touch!