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Types of open narrowcasting radio services
There are two main types of open narrowcasting radio services--high/medium power and low power. The use of the terms high, medium or low power are simply to distinguish between the different types of narrowcasters. These terms do not translate in any way to the high or low power AM and FM frequencies identified in Licence Area Plans (LAPs).
High Powered Open Narrowcasting (HPONs) licences within the Broadcasting Services Bands are identified through the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) licence area planning process once spectrum has been allocated for national, commercial and community services within a licence area. They are then auctioned through ACMA's price-based allocation system. For details about the auctions refer to the ACMA website,
http://www.acma.gov.au/acmainter.
Unlike HPONs, the majority of Low Powered Open Narrowcasting (LPONs) licences are allocated independently of ACMA planning process. Spectrum was made available in the 87.5-88.0 MHz sub-band for LPONs for a five year period through spectrum 'drop through provisions'.