A number of recent Telepermit applications for IP-based equipment have caused us a lot of confusion over the terms used to describe the various components. There appears to be quite a lot of “proprietary terminology” as well as proprietary technology. As a result, some similar sounding “boxes” from different suppliers have quite different functions, while some different sounding “boxes” fulfil the same functions – all a bit confusing for both the supplier and ourselves when it comes to sorting out transmission performance and Telepermit requirements.

Our request is that suppliers provide a block schematic of how their “boxes” fit together, along with a brief outline of what functions each “box” carries out. This should help reduce the phone and email conversations that result when both parties are trying to get to a mutual understanding of what we are actually dealing with. Needless to say, if we cannot understand what a product is claimed to do, we can hardly grant it a Telepermit!

This proposed arrangement seems to cover the requirements of those suppliers who provide these types of interfaces, yet clearly avoids any inference that the interface is Telepermitted and “anything” can be connected behind it.

Needless to say, like most general proposals, there will be exceptions. In this case, a significant exception is a PCI-card ADSL modem, for which we have been granting Telepermits for some years. In this case, the associated “system” is any PC and the card has a similar role to any other ADSL modem. However, our aim is to deal with any exceptions in a practical manner.

Where an interface is designed to connect via proprietary backplanes, such as PABX trunk ports or purpose-built gateway devices, it will still be necessary to deal with that interface and its associated equipment as a complete package and the “Certified Component” process will not apply.

Unlike Telepermits, these proposed certifications may be “owned” by either the original manufacturer or by the local importer. Typically, overseas-sourced test reports supplied by the manufacturer will be used and those reports will form part of the manufacturer’s intellectual property. That manufacturer may be supplying the interface to several end equipment makers, each of whom may be required to gain a Telepermit. Those equipment makers will simply need to quote the number of the “Certified Component” being used, without submitting further evidence of the interface card’s compliance with the relevant standards.

Should an importer wish to get an interface card certified, the resulting component number will be allocated to that importer. Other importers are not permitted to use that same number without the first importer’s agreement.

Suppliers should note that the Ministry of Economic Development will require compliance with the Radiocommunications Regulations, so local importers will need to hold evidence of compliance with AS/NZS 55022 or CISPR 22.