Definition of "telecommuncations"

[Greg Taylor]

Kevin Dinn wrote:
>I have been searching around for an official definition of the word
>"telecommunications". This is not as easy as it sounds. Dictionaries
>don't know anything about it so I have been searching papers on the
>net for definitions. I found quite a good one at
>http://www.steptoe.com/am3.htm under the section "Arguments In Favor
>Of Common Carrier Regulation" but I would particularly like a
>definition that is officially accepted by Australian organisations
>like the ACCC or TIO.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1991
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ta1991214/
incudes the following definition:
   "telecommunications network means a system, or series of systems, for 
    carrying communications by means of guided or unguided electromagnetic 
    energy or both;"
and,
   "communication includes any communication:
    (a) whether between persons and persons, things and things or persons and
    things; and
    (b) whether:
    (i) in the form of:
    (A) speech, music or other sounds; or
    (B) data; or
    (C) text; or
    (D) visual images, whether or not animated; or
    (E) signals; or
    (ii) in any other form or in any combination of forms;"

Interestingly a related Act includes a slightly modified definition:
TELECOMMUNICATIONS (INTERCEPTION) ACT 1979 
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ta1979350/
   "telecommunications network" means a system, or series of systems, for
    carrying communications by means of guided or unguided electromagnetic 
    energy or both, but does not include a system, or series of systems, 
    for carrying communications solely by means of radiocommunication;"

>I am particularly interested to know whether the provision of 
>Internet access is "telecommunications".

Austel seems to think so.  See:
    http://www.austel.gov.au/FAQ/SerProv.html

BTW, I'm not sure if the Acts on Austlii above have been updated to
incorporate the legislation that went through Parliament in March.  You
might also want to check:
    http://www.dca.gov.au/govtpol.html

Cheers,

Greg

---------------------------------------------------------------
Greg Taylor                                  Brisbane Australia
gtaylor@gil.com.au              http://www.gil.com.au/~gtaylor/
EFA Board member
--------------------------------------------------------------