Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for ISDN Basic Access Interface — AS/ACIF S031) 2001
as amended
made under subsection 376 (1) of the
Telecommunications Act 1997
This compilation was prepared on 11 April 2005
taking into account amendments up to Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for ISDN Basic Access Interface — AS/ACIF S031) Amendment
2003 (No. 1)
Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing,
Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra
Contents
1 Name of Technical Standard [see Note 1]
2 Commencement [see Note 1]
3 Objects of Technical Standard
4 Definitions
5 Application of Technical Standard
6 Standard for customer equipment
Notes
1 Name of Technical Standard [see Note 1]
(1) This Technical Standard is the Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for ISDN Basic Access Interface — AS/ACIF S031) 2001.
(2) This Technical Standard may also be cited as AS/ACIF S031–2001.
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 2001.
Note 2 The AS/ACIF Standard, as adopted by this Technical Standard, does not include any amendments made by Standards Australia and the Australian Communications Industry Forum after the commencement of this Technical Standard. If amendments are made, the terms of this Technical Standard will differ from those of the AS/ACIF Standard unless the AS/ACIF amendments are adopted by the ACA.
2 Commencement [see Note 1]
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 ISDN Basic Access Interface (AS/ACIF S031:2001), published by the Australian Communications Industry Forum and Standards Australia International Limited in July 2001.
facility has the same meaning as in subsection 374 (2) of the Act.
ISDN means an Integrated Services Digital Network.
telecommunications network has the same meaning as in subsection 374 (1) of the Act.
Note The following expressions used in this Technical Standard are defined in section 7 of the Act:
customer equipment
emergency call service
standard telephone service.
5 Application of Technical Standard
This Technical Standard applies to customer equipment that is designed, or intended, for connection to an ISDN Basic Access interface for the purpose of receiving information from, or transmitting information to, the ISDN at the S/T reference point.
6 Standard for customer equipment
The customer equipment to which this Technical Standard applies must comply with the AS/ACIF Standard.
Notes to the Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for ISDN Basic Access Interface — AS/ACIF S031) 2001
Note 1
The Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for ISDN Basic Access Interface — AS/ACIF S031) 2001 (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 notification
in Gazette | Date of
commencement | Application, saving or
transitional provisions |
Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for ISDN Basic Access Interface — AS/ACIF S031) 2001 | 5 Sept 2001
(see Gazette 2001, No. GN35) | 5 Sept 2001 | |
Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for ISDN Basic Access Interface — AS/ACIF S031) Amendment 2003 (No. 1) | 14 Nov 2003
(see Gazette 2003, No. S419) | 14 Nov 2003 | — |
Table of Amendments
ad. = added or inserted am. = amended rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted |
Provision affected | How affected |
Note 1 to s. 1 (2)........ | ad. 2003 No. 1 |
Note 2 to s. 1 (2)........ | ad. 2003 No. 1 |
S. 4................. | am. 2003 No. 1 |
S. 6................. | rs. 2003 No. 1 |
Overview
The Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for ISDN Basic Access Interface — AS/ACIF S031) 2001, as amended, is a legislative instrument made under subsection 376(1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997. This Act was enacted to establish a regulatory framework for the telecommunications industry in Australia, ensuring the provision of efficient, effective, and affordable telecommunications services. The policy objective of the Technical Standard is to set requirements for customer equipment that connects to an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) Basic Access interface, ensuring the integrity of telecommunications networks, protecting the health and safety of individuals, and ensuring the interoperability of customer equipment with telecommunications networks. The standard applies to equipment designed or intended for connection to an ISDN Basic Access interface, requiring compliance with the AS/ACIF Standard. This instrument was prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing, Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra, and the amendments are incorporated as per the gazette notifications.
Scope and Application
The Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for ISDN Basic Access Interface – AS/ACIF S031) 2001, as amended, applies to customer equipment designed or intended for connection to an ISDN Basic Access interface at the S/T reference point. This technical standard aims to safeguard the integrity of telecommunications networks and facilities, protect the health and safety of individuals involved in the operation, maintenance, or use of telecommunications services, and ensure the interoperability of customer equipment with telecommunications networks. The scope of this legislation is specifically targeted at equipment that interacts with Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN) at a designated interface point. It mandates compliance with the AS/ACIF Standard to achieve the aforementioned objectives. The technical standard is a legislative instrument made under the Telecommunications Act 1997 and is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia. Any amendments to this technical standard are made through subordinate legislation, which is subject to the same jurisdictional reach.
Key Provisions
The Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for ISDN Basic Access Interface – AS/ACIF S031) 2001 (the "Technical Standard") outlines specific requirements for customer equipment intended for connection to an ISDN Basic Access interface. The Technical Standard applies to equipment designed or intended for connection to an ISDN at the S/T reference point for transmitting or receiving information (section 5). The equipment must comply with the AS/ACIF Standard, which is the Australian Standard/Australian Communications Industry Forum Standard: Requirements for ISDN Basic Access Interface (AS/ACIF S031:2001), published in July 2001 (section 6). The objects of the Technical Standard are to protect the integrity of telecommunications networks and facilities, to protect the health and safety of persons involved with telecommunications networks, to ensure customer equipment can access emergency call services, and to ensure interoperability between customer equipment and telecommunications networks for standard telephone services (section 3).
The Technical Standard imposes several obligations on entities subject to its provisions. Firstly, entities must ensure that any customer equipment designed or intended for connection to an ISDN Basic Access interface complies with the AS/ACIF Standard. This involves adhering to the specifications and requirements outlined in the AS/ACIF S031:2001 Standard to maintain the integrity and safety of telecommunications networks and services. Additionally, entities must ensure that their equipment is capable of accessing emergency call services, which is critical for public safety. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in significant safety risks and network integrity issues.
The Technical Standard does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breach within its text. However, under the overarching Telecommunications Act 1997, breaches of technical standards or regulations can lead to enforcement actions by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Penalties for non-compliance with telecommunications regulations can include fines, corrective notices, and other enforcement measures as deemed appropriate by the ACMA. The exact penalties depend on the severity and nature of the breach, with potential civil or criminal consequences for significant or repeated violations.