Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Access Equipment for connection to Telecommunications Network — Part 1: General — AS/CA S003.1:2010) 2010
as amended
made under subsection 376 (1) of the
Telecommunications Act 1997
This compilation was prepared on 4 December 2012
taking into account amendments up to Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Access Equipment for connection to Telecommunications Network — Part 1: General — AS/CA S003.1:2010) Amendment 2012 (No. 1)
Prepared by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, Canberra
Contents
1 Name of Technical Standard [see Note 1]
2 Commencement [see Note 1]
3 Definitions
4 Objects of Technical Standard
5 Requirement
Notes
1 Name of Technical Standard [see Note 1]
(1) This Technical Standard is the Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Access Equipment for connection to Telecommunications Network — Part 1: General — AS/CA S003.1:2010) 2010.
(2) This Technical Standard may also be cited as the AS/CA S003.1‑2010.
2 Commencement [see Note 1]
This Technical Standard commences on the day after it is registered.
3 Definitions
Act means the Telecommunications Act 1997.
customer access equipment means customer equipment that:
(a) is designed with multiple ports (that are local or network ports) that provide, or are intended to provide, access to a telecommunications network; and
(b) is capable of the switching, storage, processing, conversion, integration, line isolation, coupling or multiplexing of analogue voice, digital voice or voice equivalent communication.
mandatory requirement, for a standard, means a requirement in the standard that uses the words ‘shall’ or ‘shall not’.
port means an interface to equipment that enables:
(a) the supply of an output signal from the equipment; or
(b) the acceptance of an input signal to the equipment.
Note 1 Several other words and expressions used in this Technical Standard have the meaning given by section 7 of the Act. For example:
customer equipment
telecommunications network.
Note 2 Subsection 374 (1) of the Act provides that a reference in Part 21 of the Act to a telecommunications network is a reference to a telecommunications network in Australia that is operated by a carrier or carriage service provider.
4 Objects of Technical Standard
The requirements of this Technical Standard are necessary and convenient to meet the objectives mentioned in paragraphs 376 (2) (a) to (d) of the Act.
5 Requirement
Customer access equipment must comply with the mandatory requirements set out in the Australian Standard — Requirements for Customer Access Equipment for connection to a Telecommunications Network – Part 1: General (AS/CA S003.1:2010), published by Communications Alliance Ltd in September 2010, and incorporating the amendment made to the standard of that name published on 15 June 2012.
Note On 15 June 2012, Communications Alliance Ltd published Amendment No. 1/2012 to AS/CA S003.1:2010. That amendment updated the reference to Australian Standard AS/NZS 60950.1:2003, in section 3 of AS/CA S003.1:2010, to the 2011 edition of that standard.
Notes to the Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Access Equipment for connection to Telecommunications Network — Part 1: General — AS/CA S003.1:2010) 2010
Note 1
The Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Access Equipment for connection to Telecommunications Network — Part 1: General — AS/CA S003.1:2010) 2010 (in force under subsection 376 (1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997) as shown in this compilation is amended as indicated in the Tables below.
Table of Instruments
Title | Date of FRLI registration | Date of
commencement | Application, saving or
transitional provisions |
Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Access Equipment for connection to Telecommunications Network — Part 1: General — AS/CA S003.1:2010) 2010 | 6 Oct 2010 (see F2010L02571) | 7 Oct 2010 | |
Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Access Equipment for connection to Telecommunications Network — Part 1: General — AS/CA S003.1:2010) Amendment 2012 (No. 1) | 2 Oct 2012 (see F2012L01986) | 3 Oct 2012 | — |
Table of Amendments
ad. = added or inserted am. = amended rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted |
Provision affected | How affected |
S. 5................. | rs. 2012 No. 1 |
Overview
The Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Access Equipment for connection to Telecommunications Network—Part 1: General—AS/CA S003.1:2010) 2010, enacted under the authority of subsection 376(1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997, was introduced to establish technical requirements for customer access equipment intended for use in connecting to telecommunications networks. This standard addresses the need for consistency and safety in the design and operation of equipment that interfaces with telecommunications networks, ensuring that such equipment meets certain technical and safety standards. The objective of this legislation is to align the technical specifications of customer access equipment with the broader goals of the Telecommunications Act, which seeks to facilitate efficient and reliable telecommunications services in Australia. This legislative instrument was prepared by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, and its amendments reflect ongoing efforts to adapt to technological advancements and maintain the integrity of telecommunications infrastructure.
Scope and Application
The Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Access Equipment for connection to Telecommunications Network — Part 1: General — AS/CA S003.1:2010) 2010 applies to all entities and persons that supply customer access equipment in Australia, ensuring that this equipment complies with the specified technical requirements. This legislation encompasses a broad range of entities, including telecommunications companies, manufacturers, and distributors, as well as the customer access equipment itself, which is designed to provide access to telecommunications networks through specific ports and functionalities. The geographic reach of this Act is national, applying to all telecommunications networks operated within Australia by carriers or carriage service providers. While the Act sets forth the mandatory compliance requirements, specific exclusions or exemptions are not detailed within the primary text of the legislation, although certain exclusions may be defined in the overarching Telecommunications Act 1997 or through subordinate instruments. The Act can be extended or modified through amendments or additional regulations, ensuring that it remains current with technological advancements and industry practices.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Access Equipment for connection to Telecommunications Network – Part 1: General – AS/CA S003.1:2010) 2010, as amended, detail the requirements for customer access equipment to be compliant with the Australian Standard. Section 5 of the legislation stipulates that customer access equipment must adhere to the mandatory requirements outlined in the Australian Standard AS/CA S003.1:2010, which was published by Communications Alliance Ltd in September 2010 and updated on 15 June 2012. This standard, along with its amendment, specifies the technical requirements that the equipment must meet to ensure it is suitable for connection to a telecommunications network. The standard addresses various aspects such as the design, functionality, and safety of the equipment, ensuring that it can effectively interface with telecommunications networks while maintaining the integrity and security of the network.
The Act imposes specific obligations on parties involved in the manufacturing, importation, and supply of customer access equipment. Manufacturers, importers, and suppliers must ensure that their equipment complies with the mandatory requirements set out in the Australian Standard. This includes conducting necessary testing and certification processes to verify that the equipment meets the specified technical criteria. Furthermore, these parties are required to provide documentation and labelling that attests to the equipment's compliance with the standard. This documentation must be made available to customers and regulatory authorities upon request. Additionally, the Act mandates that any changes or updates to the equipment that might affect its compliance must be promptly reported to the relevant authorities.
Failure to comply with the requirements of the Telecommunications Technical Standard can result in significant legal consequences. Under the Telecommunications Act 1997, non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The penalties for breach can include fines and, in severe cases, criminal charges. The maximum penalty for contravening the technical standard is set out in section 424 of the Telecommunications Act 1997, which can result in fines of up to $22,200 for individuals and higher amounts for corporations, depending on the severity and frequency of the breach. Additionally, persistent non-compliance may result in more stringent regulatory scrutiny, including potential legal proceedings that could further escalate the financial and reputational impact on the offending party.