TELECOM ACCESS STANDARDS NEWSLETTER NO. 150

August 2004

CONTENTS
1. NOTIFICATION OF NEWSLETTERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS
2. TELEPERMIT GRANTS AS SOFT COPIES
3. HOME NETWORK PROVISIONING
4. WiFi SECURITY
5. WiFi BOOSTER ANTENNAS
6. TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICE
RETURN TO MAIN INDEX



1. NOTIFICATION OF NEWSLETTERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS

We are now introducing a service that we have been “thinking about” for some time. Regular readers can email their preferred email address to Richard Brent to register for email notification as soon as an Access Standards Newsletter or other publication is published on-line. We hope to introduce an automated version of this service in the near future where readers can subscribe on-line.

In the meantime, to subscribe, simply send an email to Richard Brent with the subject line containing the words: "Access Standards mailing list add" or if you wish to be removed from the list, "Access Standards mailing list delete"


2. TELEPERMIT GRANTS AS SOFT COPIES

More or less as a trial, we have been sending Telepermit grants and label artwork as .pdf (portable document format) files over the past few months. This seems to have been appreciated by Telepermit holders, as a “soft copy” is more easily passed back to the product manufacturer, who can then print the labels and place them on the product prior to its packing. Also, this approach avoids mailing delays and provides for a test lab or other third party acting for the Telepermit Holder to promptly advise the actual Telepermit Holder

The soft copy has the Telecom letterhead in colour and a digital signature, so it prints out identically to our traditional paper copy of a grant letter.

One difference however, is that we will outline the Telepermit processing charges in the grant letter, as we do now, but not send a Packing Slip with the grant letter, as we have done to date. In any case, the Packing Slip only repeats information already given in the grant letter.

We now intend to make sending “soft copies” our standard practice, but any Telepermit applicants who particularly want a paper copy of the grant letter are invited to request one when making their application.


3. HOME NETWORK PROVISIONING

Newsletters Nos 140 – 142 covered the issues of home cabling and WiFi developments. The position is changing in some respects, as WiFi prices are dropping, especially for the earlier 11 Mbit/s IEEE 802.11b products, which are now being superseded by the 54 Mbit/s 802.11g access units and interface cards. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of benefit in installing plenty of star-wired Cat 5 (or better) cable in a new home. It has high data rate capability, good security and high reliability, combined with relatively low installation cost if it is put in before the house framing is lined.

The higher speed 802.11g has the drawback of less range than 802.11b, but this can be overcome by using multiple antennas or repeaters, connected either by wireless or cable. Telecom’s next generation of ADSL services will be delivered over copper cable in the main, so Cat 5 cable certainly has the capability to support these services. As such, it is still recommended as the best option for a new home.

Investigations by overseas telecommunications operators seem to be resulting in a fairly common view that a combination of copper cable and WiFi will be the most flexible and practicable means of distributing network services around an existing home, although there is still some support for the other options such as HPNA and HomePlug. All in all, WiFi seems to be gaining in the battle for preference over these other two options at present, but there are some points to watch, as outlined below.

Meantime, there is a new initiative from the cable manufacturers, hardware suppliers and the Electrical Contractors Association of New Zealand (ECANZ). This is the “Smart Wired” project, aimed at promoting intelligent building cabling systems. This is aimed at gaining cross-industry support right through from the copper producers to the installed cabling system and its control electronics. The Smart Wired project will provide training and accreditation to builders, electrical trades people and other installers, along with supporting publicity and promotional materials.

While Telecom is not directly involved, the type of up-market cabling systems being promoted by the Smart Wired project cover all aspects of the “intelligent home” including heating, ventilation, lighting, entertainment and security control, as well as telecommunications. As such, these systems should be ideal for supporting Telecom’s network services.

This project has been in operation in Australia for some years and is now well-established. Details of their scheme can be seen on the Australian website http://www.smartwiredhouse.com.au/index.shtml It is expected that the New Zealand operation will be set up on similar lines. Industry or contractor enquiries about Smart Wiring can be addressed to Ray Barbara of ECANZ. His email address is rayb@ecanz.org,nz


4. WiFi SECURITY

The introduction of “Hot Spots” in combination with lower prices for wireless-equipped laptop PC’s and wireless access points, and IEEE 802.11g offering higher data rates, are all making WiFi increasingly popular for home users. This is especially the case for those in established homes with two or more computers and difficulties in providing adequate wiring and jackpoints.

The ease of setting up a WiFi base station and connecting the home PC’s by wireless is a great benefit, but also a likely security risk unless appropriate steps are taken to set up a reasonable level of security against unauthorised access.

We have heard some amusing, but concerning stories over the past couple of weeks. One was of a father who came home to find his children accessing the internet via his new lap-top PC. They commented how fast it was, only to have their father ask how they had connected to the internet when he had not yet set up either his broadband service or his WiFi access point. He was embarrassed to find that his children had been using next door’s JetStream access for some days and the neighbours were not aware of this either.

The moral in this story is that it is not just the hacker wandering around looking for open access – it could be accidental or occurring simply because the users concerned are not aware of the situation.

“Bill Shock” is a term used overseas and we are concerned that it does not become too much of a problem here. We propose introducing a new Telepermit condition on any WiFi-equipped ADSL modems to the effect that not only clear and simple information is to be provided on setting up WiFi security, but that there should be warnings explaining what can happen if the user fails to do so.

It is suggested that it would be a helpful idea for all ADSL modem suppliers to warn their customers about the need to set up reasonable security if they install a WiFi access point.


5. WiFi BOOSTER ANTENNAS

  WiFi is a very flexible technology in that the range can be significantly increased by the use of directional antennas and wireless repeaters. The basic WiFi access point has limited RF power output and does not represent any hazards to users in the near vicinity.

In most instances The RF output is essentially transmitted omni directionally (over the full 360 degrees around the antenna). Nevertheless, directional antennas guide the RF energy into a narrower beam and can thus concentrate that energy.   Although the level of energy is generally low it would be undesirable both for health and safety and radio link performance to "aim” these directional antennas in areas which are routinely occupied.

The Ministry of Health, Ministry for the Environment and Ministry of Economic Development’s Spectrum Management Group have prepared “National Guidelines for managing the effects of radio frequency transmitters”. This document supports research carried out by the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection, which was used in the production of the New Zealand Standard NZS 2772.1: 1999 “RF Fields”.

The National Guidelines referred to above give a lot of information on the subject of RF energy, along with some useful tips on minimising exposure. The main points for users of WiFi booster antennas are to site them where there is the least exposure to any people in the vicinity, choosing a product that avoids unnecessary splllage of RF and keeping RF power to the minimum needed for the range required.


6. TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICE

The first Telepermits have now been granted for textphones or “TTY’s” ready for the introduction of the Telecommunications Relay Service on 15 November. We have opened a new PTC 215-series for these products, a range of which are expected to be available by the time the service starts.

A CPE testing programme is proposed as soon as the TRS Call Centre equipment has been commissioned.

In view of the tight timing, it is recommended that any suppliers wishing to gain Telepermits for TRS CPE, and have their products ready by start date, should arrange testing to PTC200 and submit their applications as soon as possible.



Doug Burrus
Manager
Access Standards