Telecommunications Technical Standard (Voice Frequency Performance Requirements for Customer Equipment — AS/ACIF S004) 2004
The AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY makes this Technical Standard under subsection 376 (1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997.
Dated 15 December 2004
R HORTON
Chair
A HORSLEY
Deputy Chair
Australian Communications Authority
1 Name of Technical Standard
(1) This Technical Standard is the Telecommunications Technical Standard (Voice Frequency Performance Requirements for Customer Equipment — AS/ACIF S004) 2004.
(2) This Technical Standard may also be cited as AS/ACIF S004-2004.
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 2004.
Note 2 The AS/ACIF Standard, as adopted by this Technical Standard, does not include any amendments made by Standards Australia International Limited 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
This Technical Standard commences on the date of its notification in the Gazette.
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 a telecommunications network or facility; or
(ii) work on a telecommunications network or facility; or
(iii) use services supplied by means of a telecommunications network or facility; 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 S004:2004), published by the Australian Communications Industry Forum and Standards Australia International Limited in July 2004.
facility has the same meaning as in subsection 374 (2) of the Act.
public switched telephone 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 telephone 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.
Overview
The Telecommunications Technical Standard (Voice Frequency Performance Requirements for Customer Equipment — AS/ACIF S004) 2004 was enacted to provide technical specifications for customer equipment used in telecommunications networks. This legislation was introduced to address the need for maintaining the integrity of telecommunications networks and facilities, and ensuring the safety of those who use or are affected by these networks. The Act was introduced by the Australian Communications Authority under the authority of the Telecommunications Act 1997. The primary policy objective of this Technical Standard is to protect the integrity of telecommunications networks and facilities, safeguard the health and safety of individuals who interact with these networks, and ensure the interoperability of customer equipment with telecommunications networks. The Standard was designed to apply to customer equipment intended for voice communication, specifically for connection to the public switched telephone network or a basic access/primary rate access Integrated Services Digital Network.
Scope and Application
The Telecommunications Technical Standard (Voice Frequency Performance Requirements for Customer Equipment — AS/ACIF S004) 2004 applies to any customer equipment designed or intended to transmit and receive voice frequency signals for voice communications, voice messages, or tones through direct or indirect electric or electro-acoustic means. This includes equipment meant for connection to the public switched telephone network or a basic access or primary rate access Integrated Services Digital Network. The purpose of this technical standard is to protect the integrity of telecommunications networks and facilities, safeguard the health and safety of individuals who operate, work on, use, or are affected by these networks and facilities, ensure compatibility with emergency call services, and maintain interoperability of customer equipment with telecommunications networks. This standard is made under the Telecommunications Act 1997 and has nationwide applicability within Australia. It mandates compliance with the AS/ACIF Standard, which is incorporated by reference and subject to potential amendments that may need to be adopted by the Australian Communications Authority.
Key Provisions
The Telecommunications Technical Standard (Voice Frequency Performance Requirements for Customer Equipment — AS/ACIF S004) 2004 (sections 1 to 6) establishes the technical requirements for customer equipment that is designed or intended to transmit and receive voice frequency signals, and to connect to the public switched telephone network or an Integrated Services Digital Network. This Technical Standard is based on the Australian Standard/Australian Communications Industry Forum Standard: Voice frequency performance requirements for Customer Equipment (AS/ACIF S004:2004). The Standard applies to equipment that meets the specified criteria of being designed or intended for voice communications and connections to specified networks.
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Firstly, any customer equipment that falls under the scope of this Standard must comply with the AS/ACIF Standard (section 6). This means that manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of such equipment must ensure that their products meet the technical specifications and requirements outlined in the AS/ACIF Standard to ensure compatibility, safety, and interoperability with telecommunications networks. Compliance with the Standard is necessary to protect the integrity of telecommunications networks, the health and safety of individuals involved in the operation and maintenance of these networks, and to guarantee the ability to access emergency call services and standard telephone services.
The legislation also stipulates that any amendments made to the AS/ACIF Standard by Standards Australia International Limited and the Australian Communications Industry Forum after the commencement of this Technical Standard will not automatically apply unless specifically adopted by the Australian Communications Authority (section 2, Note 2). This ensures that the Technical Standard remains consistent and up-to-date with the adopted version of the AS/ACIF Standard, thereby maintaining the necessary standards for customer equipment.
There are no explicit offences, penalties, or consequences for breach detailed in the provided text of the Technical Standard. However, non-compliance with the requirements set out in the Standard could potentially result in legal actions under the broader provisions of the Telecommunications Act 1997, which governs the telecommunications industry in Australia. Such actions could include enforcement actions, fines, or other penalties imposed by the Australian Communications Authority or relevant regulatory bodies. The specific penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the non-compliance and the applicable provisions of the overarching Act.