Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Equipment for connection to a metallic local loop interface of a Telecommunications Network - Part 2: Broadband - AS/ACIF S043.2:2003) 2003

Administered by Department of Communications and the Arts

Legislation au F2005B00181 Not in force Legislative Instrument

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Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Equipment for connection to a metallic local loop interface of a Telecommunications Network — Part 2: Broadband — AS/ACIF S043.2:2003) 2003

The AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY makes this Technical Standard under subsection 376 (1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997.

Dated 12 November 2003

R HORTON
Chair

A HORSLEY
Deputy Chair

 

Australian Communications Authority

Contents

 1 Name of Technical Standard 

 2 Commencement 

 3 Objects of Technical Standard 

 4 Definitions 

 5 Application of Technical Standard 

 6 Standard with which customer equipment must comply 

 

 

 

1 Name of Technical Standard

 (1) This Technical Standard is the Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Equipment for connection to a metallic local loop interface of a Telecommunications Network — Part 2: Broadband — AS/ACIF S043.2:2003) 2003.

 (2) This Technical Standard may also be cited as AS/ACIF S043.2-2003.

Note 1   The alternate citation mentioned in subsection (2) is the name by which the AS/ACIF Standard, adopted by this Technical Standard under section 6, is usually cited. The AS/ACIF Standard was published in 2003.

Note 2   The AS/ACIF Standard, as adopted by this Technical Standard, does not include any amendments that may subsequently be made by Standards Australia and the Australian Communications Industry Forum.  If such amendments are made, there will be a difference between the terms of this instrument and those of the AS/ACIF instrument of that name until such time as the AS/ACIF Standard amendments are adopted by the ACA.

2 Commencement

  This Technical Standard commences on gazettal.

3 Objects of Technical Standard

  The objects of this Technical Standard are:

 (a) to protect the integrity of telecommunications networks and facilities; and

 (b) to protect the health and safety of persons who:

 (i) operate; or

 (ii) work on; or

 (iii) use services supplied by means of; or

 (iv) are otherwise reasonably likely to be affected by the operation of;

  a telecommunications network or facility; and

 (c) to ensure that customer equipment can be used to give access to an emergency call service; and

 (d) to ensure, for the purpose of the supply of a standard telephone service, the interoperability of customer equipment with a telecommunications network to which the equipment is, or is proposed to be, connected.

4 Definitions

  In this Technical Standard:

Act means the Telecommunications Act 1997.

AS/ACIF Standard means the Australian Standard/Australian Communications Industry Forum Standard: Requirements for Customer Equipment for connection to a metallic local loop interface of a Telecommunications Network — Part 2: Broadband (AS/ACIF S043.2:2003), published by the Australian Communications Industry Forum and Standards Australia International Limited in April 2003.

broadband capability means the ability of an item of customer equipment to transmit a signal that uses a frequency above 20 kHz.

metallic local loop means metallic twisted pair communications wire in a carrier’s telecommunications network which provides connectivity between a customer’s premises and equipment in the telecommunications network.

metallic local loop interface means an interface for the electrical connection to a metallic local loop.

Note 1   Emergency call service and standard telephone service are defined in section 7 of the Act. Telecommunications network is defined in subsection 374 (1) of the Act. Facility is defined in subsection 374 (2) of the Act.

Note 2   Customer equipment is defined in section 7 of the Act to have the meaning given by section 21 of the Act. Subsection 21 (1) of the Act provides that customer equipment means:

(a) any equipment, apparatus, tower, mast, antenna or other structure or thing; or

(b) any system (whether software-based or otherwise);

that:

(c) is used, installed ready for use or intended for use in connection with a carriage service; and

(d) under the regulations, is treated as customer equipment;

but does not include a line.

Subsection 21 (4) of the Act provides that if no regulations are in force for the purposes of subsection 21 (1), customer equipment has the meaning set out in subsection 21 (4). At the commencement of this Technical Standard, no regulations are in force for the purposes of subsection 21 (1) of the Act.

5 Application of Technical Standard

  This Technical Standard applies to customer equipment that:

 (a) is designed, or intended, for connection to a telecommunications network via a metallic local loop interface; and

 (b) has broadband capability.

6 Standard with which customer equipment must comply

  The customer equipment to which this Technical Standard applies must comply with the AS/ACIF Standard.

 

Overview

The Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Equipment for connection to a metallic local loop interface of a Telecommunications Network — Part 2: Broadband — AS/ACIF S043.2:2003) 2003 was enacted to establish technical requirements for customer equipment designed for broadband services through metallic local loop interfaces, thereby ensuring the safety, interoperability, and integrity of telecommunications networks. This technical standard was introduced by the Australian Communications Authority under the authority of the Telecommunications Act 1997. Its primary objectives are to safeguard the integrity of telecommunications networks and facilities, protect the health and safety of individuals who interact with these networks, and ensure the interoperability of customer equipment with telecommunications networks. This legislation aims to create a unified framework that aligns customer equipment with established standards, thereby facilitating reliable and secure telecommunications services.

Scope and Application

The Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Equipment for connection to a metallic local loop interface of a Telecommunications Network—Part 2: Broadband—AS/ACIF S043.2:2003) 2003 applies to any customer equipment designed or intended for connection to a telecommunications network via a metallic local loop interface and possesses broadband capability. This encompasses a wide range of equipment including, but not limited to, modems, routers, and other devices capable of transmitting signals above 20 kHz. The standard ensures these devices meet specific requirements to protect the integrity of telecommunications networks, safeguard the health and safety of individuals interacting with telecommunications networks, and ensure interoperability with the telecommunications network. It also ensures that such equipment can be used to access emergency call services and standard telephone services. The standard is applicable nationally across Australia, given its foundation under the Telecommunications Act 1997, and is enforced by the Australian Communications Authority. The scope of the standard is further clarified by its adherence to the Australian Standard/Australian Communications Industry Forum Standard (AS/ACIF S043.2:2003), which provides the specific technical requirements that the equipment must meet.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Technical Standard pertain to the requirements and compliance criteria for customer equipment that is intended for connection to a telecommunications network via a metallic local loop interface, particularly those with broadband capability. Section 6 specifies that the customer equipment must comply with the AS/ACIF Standard: Requirements for Customer Equipment for connection to a metallic local loop interface of a Telecommunications Network – Part 2: Broadband (AS/ACIF S043.2:2003). This standard was adopted to ensure that such equipment adheres to specific technical and safety requirements that protect the integrity of telecommunications networks and the health and safety of individuals who interact with these networks. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act are primarily directed towards manufacturers, suppliers, and users of customer equipment with broadband capability. Manufacturers and suppliers must ensure that their equipment complies with the AS/ACIF Standard, which includes specifications for the design, installation, and use of equipment to ensure it does not compromise the integrity of the telecommunications network or pose risks to health and safety. Users of this equipment must also ensure that the equipment they use meets the specified standards to avoid disruptions in service and potential safety hazards. Additionally, the equipment must be capable of accessing emergency call services and maintain interoperability with the telecommunications network for the supply of standard telephone services. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in this Technical Standard can result in various penalties and consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the text of this Technical Standard, under the broader Telecommunications Act 1997, breaches of technical standards can lead to enforcement actions. These actions may include fines, remedial actions, or even cessation orders for non-compliant equipment. The penalties can be significant, reflecting the importance of adhering to standards that safeguard network integrity and public safety. The exact penalties would be determined in accordance with the provisions of the broader Act and any relevant regulations.

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