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2 Module 1 Australian regulatory arrangements COPYRIGHT Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand All rights are reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without the written permission of the publisher. Jointly published by Standards Australia International Ltd, GPO Box 5420, Sydney, NSW 2001 and Standards New Zealand, Private Bag 2439, Wellington 6020 ISBN

3 Preface This Handbook, Australian regulatory arrangements (Module 1, ), forms part of a series known collectively as the Communications Cabling Manual (CCM). The CCM is compiled by Standards Australia in consultation with an industry-based advisory panel representing carriers, the Australian Communications Authority (ACA), the Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF), cable manufacturers, cablers and end-users. Standards Australia wishes to acknowledge the advisory panel s valuable contribution. The CCM is designed to provide essential information to the communications cabling industry and is available in three modules. Module 1: Australian regulatory arrangements HB 243 Module 2: Communications cabling handbook HB 29 Module 3: Relevant Standards Regulatory Standards [ACA Technical Standard (Requirements for Authorised Cabling Products) and AUSTEL Technical Standard (Wiring Rules) or their replacements] Voluntary Standards (AS/NZS 308X series) This Handbook was prepared by the ACA in consultation with industry to provide essential regulatory information to industry in order to assist installers and others to comply with the requirement of the Telecommunications Act 1997 (the Act). In particular, this Handbook gives advice on Cabling Provider Rules which came into effect on 3 October While the information contained in this Handbook is the latest available at the time of printing, users must ensure that they consult the latest edition of any referenced Standard, amendments to the Act and its regulations and use the references herein as a guide only. To receive notification of any new or updated documentation concerning communications cabling, register with Standards Watch at ii Preface

4 Contents Abbreviations...iv Introduction...v 1 Cabling Provider Rules The principles of cabling provider rules Phasing out the licensing system Types of cabling work under Cabling Provider Rules Competency requirements Registrars Compliance declaration form (TCA1) The Wiring Rules The Labelling Notice Supervising unregistered or unlicensed cablers Penalties Audits Inspections Security, fire and computer data industries No more exemptions for security, fire and computer data industries Network boundary Types of Network Boundaries Line links between premises Supply to the public Network Units Distinct Place Immediate Circle Approvals Use of existing infrastructure Who can install line links? Examples of line link installations Pre-existing cabling Labelling of cable, cabling product and customer equipment Registered and licensed cabler conditions The Labelling Notice Compliance of cable, cabling product and customer equipment Compliance Labelling AUSTEL Permit Numbers Cabling equipment permits frames & enclosures Key contacts Forms Telecommunications Cabling Advice Form (TCA 1) Change of address for licensed cablers only Contents iii

5 Abbreviations iv Abbreviations (alphabetically listed) ACA Australian Communications Authority ACCC Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ACIF Australian Communications Industry Forum AUSTEL The former regulator for telecommunications BCL Base general premises cabling licence BD Building Distributor CCL Certified Components List CD Campus Distributor CPRs Cabling Provider Rules (Telecommunications Cabling Provider Rules 2000) CSS Customer Switching System DPC Domestic premises cabling licence GPC General premises cabling licence Labelling Notice Telecommunications Labelling (Customer Equipment and Cabling) Notice 1997 and any subsequent amendments LPC Lift premises cabling licence MDF Main Distribution Frame NATA National Association of Testing Authorities NTD Network Termination Device RCL Restricted cabling licence TCA1 form Telecommunications Cabling Advice 1 form Technical Standard 008 ACA Technical Standard (Requirements for Authorised Cabling Products) or its replacement The Act Telecommunications Act 1997 TIO Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman TMAR Telephone Answering and Message Recording Machine Wiring Rules The Wiring Rules are specified in AUSTEL Technical Standard or its replacement

6 Introduction A telecommunications industry overview Since the early 1990s, the Australian telecommunications industry has undergone a number of significant changes, moving from a highly regulated industry with one telecommunications carrier, to a dynamic industry open to competition by multiple players. These changes have been the result of Federal government policy that aims to promote an efficient, competitive and responsive telecommunications industry through deregulation of the industry and the development of industry self-regulation. The basic aim of deregulation is to remove barriers to entry and foster and nurture competition for the ultimate benefit of consumers. The Telecommunications Act 1991 presented the first step towards the introduction of competition in the telecommunications industry. This Act allowed for the supply, installation, maintenance, and operation of all equipment beyond the network boundary of a telecommunications carrier to be opened to competition. The 1991 Act also provided for AUSTEL the former regulator to licence people working in the cabling industry. The Telecommunications Act 1997 (the Act) brought with it major changes to the telecommunications industry. In July 1997, the telecommunications industry was fully opened to competition introducing new players and increased globalisation. Australian Communications Authority In 1997, as part of the new regulatory framework, the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) was established via the merger between the former AUSTEL and the Spectrum Management Agency. The ACA is responsible for regulating telecommunications (including cabling) and radiocommunications in Australia. The ACA also has significant consumer responsibilities. An outcome that is critical to the success of the ACA is an efficient industry and a competitive market. In delivering this outcome, the ACA s key objectives include: a) A regulatory approach that promotes benefits to end-users and contributes to an efficient and competitive Australian communications industry; and b) The fostering of industry self-regulation in a way which addresses public and national interest considerations without imposing undue financial and administrative burdens on industry. Introduction v

7 Australian Communications Industry Forum The Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) plays an integral role in the development of industry self-regulation. ACIF has primary responsibility for developing technical, operational and consumer industry codes and standards in cooperation with industry. Codes and standards are binding on industry participants. Membership of ACIF is open to any organisation or individual including carriers, carriage service providers, consumer groups and industry associations. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission As part of the movement to industry self regulation, administration of competition regulation is now the responsibility of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The ACCC is responsible for the administration of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and the Prices Surveillance Act Standards Australia Standards Australia prepares and publishes most of the voluntary technical and commercial standards used in Australia. Standards Australia represents Australia on the two major international standardizing bodies, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Standards Australia is committed to the adoption of international standards wherever feasible. Australia s involvement in the formulation of international communications cabling standards is done through the joint Standards Australia /Standards New Zealand Committee CT-001, Communications Cabling, in close liaison with the international committee JTC1/SC25. vi Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) was established at the direction of the Federal Government in 1993 to resolve disputes between telecommunications companies and residential and small business customers. In 1997, the TIO s jurisdiction was extended to include complaints about internet service providers. The TIO is independent of telecommunications companies, consumer groups and government, and is a free service to consumers.

8 Development of Cabling Provider Rules the beginning The Act gives the ACA the power to regulate cabling work which is, or is intended to be, connected to a telecommunications network. The ACA developed Cabling Provider Rules (CPRs) in an open, transparent and consultative manner with industry to replace the individual cabler licensing system. CPRs are based on an industry-run registration scheme. CPRs were developed to simplify and reduce the regulatory burden for cabling providers, remove barriers to entry, streamline cabler training arrangements and promote industry self-regulation. CPRs commenced on 3 October 2000 and no further cabling licences will be issued from this date. However, existing licences remain valid until expiry. The ACA has commissioned Teledata Licence to maintain the licence database until 3 October 2005, when the last licence expires. Upon expiry, the cabler must register with one of the ACA s accredited registrars under CPRs. A cabler who does not register and undertakes cabling work can be prosecuted under the Act. Introduction vii

9 NOTES viii

10 1 Cabling Provider Rules CPRs are replacing the individual licensing system via a phase-out program. By 3 October 2005, all cabling licences will have expired and all cabling work will be regulated under CPRs. This chapter of the Handbook outlines and describes the fundamentals of CPRs. 1.1 The principles of cabling provider rules A complete copy of the Telecommunications Cabling Provider Rules 2000 is available on the ACA website at The principles behind CPRs are summarised in the 10 points below: 1. All cabling work Open, Restricted and Lift must be performed by a registered or a licensed cabler. 2. Cablers who hold a current licence do not have to register until their licence expires. 3. Cablers who do not have a current licence have to register with an ACAaccredited registrar and are required to notify the registrar of any change of contact details within 21 days. 4. To register, cablers must meet the ACA s competency requirements for one of the three mandated types of cabling work (Open, Restricted and Lift). 5. People working in the security, fire and data industries (previously exempt under the licensing system) have until 2 April 2001 to register, and until 2 October 2003 to comply with the competency requirements. In the interim, people working in these industries who do not satisfy the competency requirements are eligible for a transitional registration which allows them to do cabling work only behind a compliant device (eg alarm panel or modem). 6. Cabling work must comply with the Wiring Rules. 7. Cable, cabling product and customer equipment must comply with requirements in the Labelling Notice. 8. At the completion of each cabling task, the cabler or the cabler s employer must provide the customer with a compliance declaration form (TCA1). 9. Unregistered or unlicensed cablers undertaking cabling work must be directly supervised by a registered or licensed cabler (supervisory rule). 10. Cablers must provide all reasonable cooperation and assistance to ACA inspectors and cabling auditors. Copyright Section 1 Cabling Provider Rules 1

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