Telecommunications Technical Standard (Voice Frequency Performance Requirements for Customer Equipment — AS/ACIF S004) 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 (Voice Frequency Performance Requirements for Customer Equipment — AS/ACIF S004) 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 (Voice Frequency Performance Requirements for Customer Equipment — AS/ACIF S004) 2001.
(2) This Technical Standard may also be cited as AS/ACIF S004–2001.
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: Voice frequency performance requirements for Customer Equipment (AS/ACIF S004:2001), 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.
public switched telecommunications network means a telecommunications network which enables a customer to establish a connection for voice frequency communication with another customer, either automatically or with operator assistance.
telecommunications network has the same meaning as in subsection 374 (1) of the Act.
voice frequency means a frequency in the range 300 Hz to 3.4 kHz.
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:
(a) to transmit and receive voice frequency signals for voice communications, voice messages or tones by direct or indirect electric or electro-acoustic means; and
(b) for connection to:
(i) the public switched telecommunications network; or
(ii) a basic access or primary rate access Integrated Services Digital Network.
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 (Voice Frequency Performance Requirements for Customer Equipment — AS/ACIF S004) 2001
Note 1
The Telecommunications Technical Standard (Voice Frequency Performance Requirements for Customer Equipment — AS/ACIF S004) 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 (Voice Frequency Performance Requirements for Customer Equipment — AS/ACIF S004) 2001 | 5 Sept 2001
(see Gazette 2001, No. GN35) | 5 Sept 2001 | |
Telecommunications Technical Standard (Voice Frequency Performance Requirements for Customer Equipment — AS/ACIF S004) 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 (Voice Frequency Performance Requirements for Customer Equipment – AS/ACIF S004) 2001, as amended, was enacted under subsection 376(1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997. This legislative instrument aims to ensure that customer equipment used for voice communications meets specific technical performance standards. The objects of this Technical Standard are to protect the integrity of telecommunications networks and facilities, safeguard the health and safety of individuals affected by telecommunications networks, ensure customer equipment can access emergency call services, and guarantee the interoperability of customer equipment with telecommunications networks. This legislation was introduced by the Australian Parliament to address the need for consistent technical standards for telecommunications equipment to maintain network reliability and safety. The Technical Standard applies to customer equipment designed to transmit and receive voice frequency signals for voice communications and intended for connection to public switched telecommunications networks or Integrated Services Digital Networks.
Scope and Application
The Telecommunications Technical Standard (Voice Frequency Performance Requirements for Customer Equipment — AS/ACIF S004) 2001, made under subsection 376 (1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997, applies to customer equipment designed or intended for use in transmitting and receiving voice frequency signals for voice communications, voice messages, or tones by direct or indirect electric or electro-acoustic means, and for connection to either the public switched telecommunications network or a basic access or primary rate access Integrated Services Digital Network. The primary objective of this legislation is to protect the integrity of telecommunications networks and facilities, safeguard the health and safety of individuals who operate, work on, use, or are otherwise affected by these networks, and ensure the interoperability of customer equipment with telecommunications networks for the provision of a standard telephone service. This standard requires compliance with the Australian Standard/Australian Communications Industry Forum Standard: Voice frequency performance requirements for Customer Equipment (AS/ACIF S004:2001), which was published in July 2001. The standard has been amended over time, as evidenced by the Telecommunications Technical Standard (Voice Frequency Performance Requirements for Customer Equipment — AS/ACIF S004) Amendment 2003 (No. 1), which introduced changes that came into effect on 14 November 2003. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this standard is aligned with the overarching Telecommunications Act 1997, meaning it applies Commonwealth-wide. There are no specific exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds mentioned in this legislation, but its scope and application may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The Telecommunications Technical Standard (Voice Frequency Performance Requirements for Customer Equipment — AS/ACIF S004) 2001, as amended, is a legislative instrument designed to regulate the performance of customer equipment used in telecommunications. This legislation, which commences on gazettal, applies specifically to equipment intended for transmitting and receiving voice frequency signals for voice communications, voice messages, or tones by electric or electro-acoustic means, and for connection to either the public switched telecommunications network or a basic access or primary rate access Integrated Services Digital Network. The technical standard mandates that such customer equipment must comply with the AS/ACIF Standard (AS/ACIF S004:2001), ensuring it meets certain performance criteria.
The objects of this technical standard are multifold. Firstly, it aims to protect the integrity of telecommunications networks and facilities, thereby ensuring the overall stability and reliability of the telecommunications infrastructure. Secondly, it seeks to safeguard the health and safety of individuals who operate, work on, use, or are otherwise affected by telecommunications networks or facilities. Additionally, it ensures that customer equipment can be used to access emergency call services, which is critical for public safety. Finally, the standard aims to ensure interoperability between customer equipment and telecommunications networks for the supply of standard telephone services.
Entities governed by this legislation must adhere to several obligations. Manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of customer equipment must ensure that their products comply with the AS/ACIF Standard. This includes conducting appropriate testing and certification processes to verify compliance. Furthermore, customer equipment must be designed and manufactured in such a way that it meets the specified performance requirements, including those related to voice frequency, signal transmission, and safety. Compliance with these standards is essential to avoid any disruptions or hazards within the telecommunications network.
In terms of enforcement and consequences, the Act imposes penalties for non-compliance. Specifically, breaches of the technical standard can result in substantial fines. For corporations, the maximum penalty can be up to $1.65 million, while for individuals, the maximum penalty can be up to $330,000. Additionally, repeat offenders may face even higher penalties. The legislation also provides for the possibility of injunctions or other court orders to prevent or remedy non-compliance. These measures ensure that the technical standards are enforced rigorously to maintain the integrity and safety of telecommunications networks.