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

[Stewart Fist]

>Eric Scheid wrote:
>>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.

I wouldn't read too much into this.  The ACCC is attacking the problem of PAPL
lines and appears to have already succeeded in making Telstra back down.  But
at the same time the regulators need to be even handed in enforcing the
regulations -- and the PA in PAPL does stand for "Permitted Attachment", so
they are right to look at whether these devices conform to standards.  After
all, PAPL lines share a duct with all other phone users, and if they are
radiating energy (or leaking 240 volts) into my phone lines, I'd rather they
were stopped.



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Stewart Fist - writer and columnist
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