call me cynical, but their timing is interesting...

[richard@auscoms.com.au]

At 1:57 PM +1000 20/10/98, Eric Scheid wrote:
>>A public notice in todays SMH:
>>
>>ILLEGAL CONNECTION OF DATA EQUIPMENT
>>
>>[..snip..]
>>
>>The ACA is aware of reports that a range of equipment generically known
>>as digital subscriber line or xDSL equipment is in use. The ACA intends
>>to undertake audits of suppliers and users to ascertain the compliance
>>status of this equipment. Manufacturers, importers or users who fail to
>>follow the requirements could face penalties under the Telecommunications
>>Act 1997.
>>
>Matthew Batten wrote:
>I was under the impression that the regulation had been all but done away
>with and was basically a vendor based 'tick the box' type scenario for the
>certification of equimpment.
>
>Please feel correct me if I'm wrong, but a couple of major vendors that I
>deal with have been doing 'self certification' ie, fill in the form and
>sign to say that the results are correct - for some time.
>
>Regards,
>
>Matthew Batten

A look at the ACA's certification application is instructive. It's at
http://www.aca.gov.au/standards/certify/applica.pdf

It requires reports from recognised testing authorities.

So -- if equipment is connected without that certificate, then it has been
illegally connected. If the certificate has been issued, then the applicant has
agreed to the ACA discussing network integrity issues with the carriers to which
the equipment is connected. In other words, Telstra has the right to raise
network integrity issues with the ACA (whatever we think of its motives...).

Richard Chirgwin