TELECOM ACCESS STANDARDS NEWSLETTER NO. 97 MARCH/APRIL 1997 CONTENTS 1. TELEPERMIT APPLICATIONS - REVISED ARRANGEMENTS AND NEW FORMS 2. PROPOSED INTRODUCTION OF CELLULAR DIGITAL PACKET DATA SERVICE 3. CALLER DISPLAY CAPABLE CPE - JOINT PROMOTION 4. ISDN TESTING - ADDITIONAL LOCATION 5. INTERNATIONAL FREEPHONE SERVICE 6. AMENDMENTS TO TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS TNA 115 AND TNA 117 7. PTC 101, AS/NZS 3260 AMDT 4 AND ELECTRICITY REGULATIONS 1997 8. REGULATORY CHANGES TAKING PLACE IN AUSTRALIA 9. TELEPERMIT STILL REQUIRED 10. ATTACHMENTS: NEW TELEPERMIT APPLICATION FORM & AMENDMENTS TO TNA 115 & TNA 117 return to index 1. TELEPERMIT APPLICATIONS - REVISED ARRANGEMENTS AND NEW FORMS Due to the ever increasing number of Telepermit applications, we are having to look for greater efficiencies in our office procedures. Access Standards staff have all spent time chasing incomplete applications or drawing together bits of information that have trickled in from applicants over a period of some weeks. At the other extreme, some applicants simply send us "a couple of kilogrammes of paper" and leave us to sort out what may or may not be relevant. Product functions are another problem area. Often, we are advised only of the main functions and others are not even mentioned, let alone tested. These situations are obviously time-consuming and inefficient. We have prepared a new "sectionalised" application form, a copy of which is attached. This new form is more comprehensive than the old one, but it retains our earlier format with a full checklist of what is now required. Since the new form should assist applicants in meeting the Telepermit requirements, we suggest that all new applications be made on copies of this form. However, since we like to give reasonable notice of changes to our arrangements, we are not going to insist on its use until 1 July. Should Janine receive an application on the old form after that date, she will send out a copy of the new one and hold the application until it is returned properly completed. The following describes, section by section, what information is needed and why we are asking for it:- Section 1 As most readers will know, a Telepermit grant is essentially a contract between Telecom and the Telepermit holder. In brief, Telecom grants permission to connect a product on the condition that the holder undertakes to ensure that the product complies with PTC requirements. Because a contract is being entered into, the person signing the application must be formally authorised to give this assurance on behalf of the company which is the prospective Telepermit holder. If the application is from an overseas supplier, who has not yet appointed a New Zealand agent, this should be explained in a covering letter. Completion of this section is otherwise mandatory. We are now asking test laboratories to consolidate all necessary "warnings" into one place on the test report. This will also help Telepermit holders ensure that no warnings are omitted from their product brochures or user manuals and help them to avoid any inadvertent breaches of the Consumer Guarantees Act. While warnings in the product user instructions help the user when the product is first purchased, the instructions are not always available later when the user expeiences service problems. These warnings can be very relevant to the problem in hand, especially where the customer is expecting the product to work outside the stated conditions. Since they are already published in the user instructions and obviously not confidential in any way, we are now seeking the Telepermit holder's agreement to disclosing the Warning List and Functions List to other parties, should the need arise. Needless to say, such information would not be disclosed until the product is actually in service. The bottom panel of Section 1 is for use within our office when we are acknowledging the application and allocating the Application Number. Until a Telepermit has been granted, we use this number for all correspondence and activities relating to a particular application. Section 2 We are willing to deal directly with overseas suppliers or test laboratories regarding technical matters, but we need to be authorised to do so by the prospective New Zealand resident Telepermit holder. Section 2 is only needed where the "contact person" is someone acting on behalf of the proposed Telepermit holder. Section 3 This is a revised version of the current checklist. Several times over recent years, we have warned applicants that extra charges may be involved where applications are incomplete. Some readers may already have been challenged by Janine Jackson if a key item is omitted from their submission. This is part of the procedure whereby she ensures an application is complete before registering it and placing it in the queue for Peter Wheeler or Richard Brent to process the technical aspects. The main point here is to avoid a situation where we may not request missing information until we come to process the application. This could lose the applicant as much as three weeks during busy periods. For this procedure to operate successfully, the same rules must apply to all applications. We again encourage applicants to ensure their submissions are complete by using the check list. In some cases, test reports and other information may have been submitted with a previous application. To make sure that this is clearly understood, the letter "S" should be placed in the relevant check boxes. Reference should then be made to the Application Number or Telepermit number of the earlier submission at the bottom of the form. Test Report Schedule We have had some problems with test reports which were originally prepared for a company other than that of the proposed Telepermit holder. When test reports do not relate to the applicant company, the applicant will need formal authorisation from the party named as client on the test report. A declaration of ownership is now required for each test report submitted. Note that this applies even where the manufacturer of a product is the original client of the test laboratory or where the manufacturer has prepared the test report in-house. If the applicant is NOT the owner of the test report, a letter of authority from the owner will also be necessary. Product Function List We are now asking the test laboratories to summarise all product functions in one place on the test report. This will help ensure that no relevant PTC requirements are overlooked during testing. As such, completion of this list as part of the application form will NOT be required if the test report incorporates an equivalent product function list. Using this list as a checklist will help applicants focus on likely test requirements. Where the applicant is making use of existing overseas test reports, the applicant WILL have to complete this function list. Note that we charge at least $300 extra for processing applications based on overseas test reports. Also, we may need to insist on additional local tests where the product claims compatibility with some of our "semi-proprietary" network features, such as discriminating ringing and caller display, which will not normally be tested for the overseas product. Notes section This section provides brief explanations of our application requirements. It is important to note that there may be delays in processing applications if the Application Number is not quoted on follow-up correspondence. Some product names are so similar that there is a risk of one company's information being associated with another company's application if the correct reference number is not provided! On the other hand, if additional documents are not readily identifiable as part of an earlier application, it may result in them being allocated a new number and then both "applications" could be stalled awaiting more information. Limited Permit applications Unlike the earlier form, this new one is NOT intended for use with Limited Permit applications. A different form is being made available for this purpose. We have prepared separate versions to make each lot of requirements more specific and reduce the number of options for applicants to consider. The Limited Permit application form can be supplied on request. It is not included with this Newsletter because of its relatively restricted use. Return to Contents 2. PROPOSED INTRODUCTION OF CELLULAR DIGITAL PACKET DATA SERVICE Telecom is planning to introduce a Cellular Digital Packet Data service during 1997 and expressions of interest are invited from suppliers of CDPD modems which can support this service. The protocol used will be that now under development by the CDPD Forum and currently published in CDPD Specification 1.1. The initial stage consists of trialling terminal equipment against the current Telecom cellular network CDPD interface so that our cellular engineering people can confirm the compatibility of this interface with a reasonably wide range of equipment makes and models. This trial is likely to go through until June, although the timing is tentative at this stage. Some adjustments may have to be made to the network before it is completely finalised ready for commercial service. Also, of course, the CDPD Forum is likely to be make some protocol changes in the light of their service experience. Since changes may be necessary to modems and to the network, this first stage is being set up under our Limited Permit trial process. This will give those suppliers meeting our initial requirements the opportunity to try out their modems before commercial service starts. However, for practical reasons, the number of each type on trial will need to be limited during this period. As well as the network compatibility issue, there is a need to confirm that CDPD modems do not create radio interference. This and any other problems that come to light during the trial period will need to be sorted out before the service or modem goes commercial. Any Limited Permits granted are expected to be valid until about 1 June 1997, by which time the formal Telepermit process should be in place. If all goes well during the trial period, it is recommended that the vendors re-submit their CDPD modems around mid-May 1997, so that they can have their products Telepermitted in time for the commercial service launch. Since this initial trial period will be of assistance to Telecom as well as to the CDPD modem suppliers, there will be no charge at the Limited Permit stage. The charge for a full Telepermit will be decided at a later stage, after we have a better idea of the testing and checking costs involved. CDPD modem suppliers wishing to arrange for a Limited Permit should contact Samuel Wang, who is located at Level 5, Mid City Tower, 141 Willis Street, P O BOX 550, Wellington. His telephone number is (04) 802-9695 and his fax number is (04) 384 6081. He can also be contacted by Email on . Please do NOT contact Access Standards at this stage. The following items will need to be submitted for a Limited Permit:- A sample of the CDPD device, complete with all of its accessories. A complete product specification. A copy of the FCC approval certificate and test report. Standard configuration files and manuals. A list of preferred TCP/IP stacks that the device can talk to for basic ping and FTP testing. In addition, the following support is requested, although its provision is not mandatory:- The name(s) of reference markets/networks, which are using or intending to use the product. Details of Quality assurance procedures and methods. Manufacturer's certification that the CDPD modem is CDPD Specification 1.1 compliant. All items will be returned at the end of the trial period, unless they are still required as part of the documentation and samples in support of the full Telepermit application. Telecom's initial evaluation for Limited Permit purposes is expected to take around 2 -3 weeks, although this may be a little longer if many suppliers are interested in taking part in the trials. If a CDPD device performs satisfactorily, a Limited Permit will be granted under which a specific maximum number of products of the type in question may be connected to the CDPD network for trial purposes. Those suppliers taking part in the trial will be advised of the steps to be taken to gain a full Telepermit for use when the service goes fully commercial. As usual, Telecom reserves the right NOT to grant a full Telepermit until any CDPD modem with a Limited Permit is modified to overcome any problems which arise during the trial. However, Telecom is likely to help CDPD modem vendors to resolve their modem problems to the best of its ability. Return to Contents 3. CALLER DISPLAY CAPABLE CPE - JOINT PROMOTION Telecom product manager, Vicky Chong, would like to produce a manual about Caller Display equipment and CTI. Vicky has advised that she is interested in working with suppliers to jointly promote Telecom's Caller Display service. The benefits are two fold, Telecom sales staff can advise customers what is available on the market and will refer the customer to the appropriate supplier for more information. Caller Display-capable telephones and adjunct (add-on) display units are obvious customer choices for using this service, but there are also applications in the data world. Caller Display with fax machines and modems may provide such benefits as extra security, the ability to "screen pop" and automatic call back. Some already Telepermitted modems are likely to be able to support Caller Display and many new designs will no doubt also have this capability. Caller Display compatibility shall not be claimed for a product until a test laboratory has confirmed its compliance with the relevant clauses of PTC 200. Where Access Standards are provided with evidence that the product in question is compatible with the service, the Caller Display capability will be shown in the Telepermit Register. Once their products are confirmed to work correctly with our Caller Display service, it is suggested that the suppliers contact Vicky Chong (by telephone (09) 358 6593 or by fax on (09) 302 2869). Her aim is for Telecom's sales and marketing staff to be able to advise customers of all the CPE products and software known to support our Caller Display service. Return to Contents 4. ISDN TESTING - ADDITIONAL LOCATION Telecom's ISDN Basic Rate and Primary Rate Layer 3 testing service by the Network Systems Development Laboratory in Wellington is now being supplemented by the Technical Evaluation Laboratory in Auckland. The contact details of the two laboratories are as follows:- Technical Evaluation Laboratory Telecom Network Operations Level 2, 18 Sale Street PRIVATE BAG 92 195 AUCKLAND Telephone +64 9 355 3854 (for Ronnie Alban) or +64 9 355 3864 (for Bill Dawid) Fax +64 9 377 3843 Network Systems Development Laboratory Telecom New Zealand Limited P O BOX 795 WELLINGTON Parcels to Unit 3 Reception, Telecom Centre, Tory Street, Wellington Telephone +64 4 802 6641 (for Paul Aitken) Fax +64 4 802 6693 Both laboratories will continue to base Layer 3 testing on compliant Layer 1 and 2 reports by overseas laboratories. This ensures that the charge for local compliance testing against Telecom's Layer 3 can be kept to an absolute minimum. The charge rate for their testing and associated work remains at $104 per hour, plus GST. In addition, actual and reasonable expenses for test staff, transport, etc, are payable should equipment need to be set up outside the laboratories concerned. Return to Contents 5. INTERNATIONAL FREEPHONE SERVICE PABX suppliers and maintainers are advised that Telecom is expecting to bring the first Universal International Freephone Numbers (UIFNs) into service in a few months time. UIFNs are essentially toll-free numbers which have an internationally standardised format of "800" plus 8 digits. These are preceded by the International Access Code used in the calling country or network. For Telecom callers, the format will be "00 800 1234 5678". The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is expected to confirm the first allocations for these numbers from the beginning of July and numbers can be expected to come into service soon after. The UIFN service will allow a customer to publish the same toll-free number worldwide. This avoids the need to establish different numbers conforming to the local toll-free format in each calling country. For example, "0130" in Germany, "1800" in Australia and the US, and "0800" in NZ and the UK. Publicity is expected to explain that these numbers are "free to the caller" and many customers will probably wish to call them once they are advertised. To permit them, calls beginning with the digits "00800" will need to be excluded from the existing PABX toll barring setup. PABX suppliers are advised to check whether their system toll barring arrangements can be programmed to allow these calls, but still maintain the bars on other "00x", "01x" numbers. Suppliers will then be prepared to answer any customer enquiries. For further information on the UIFN service, contact Peter Rodgers at Telecom International Marketing on phone 0800 789 978 extn 48505 or fax 0800 4 A UIFN (0800 428 436). Return to Contents 6. AMENDMENTS TO TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS TNA 115 AND TNA 117 Details of minor amendments are attached which apply to Documents TNA 115 and TNA 117. They relate to the requirement for earthing of the coaxial screen of receive ports via a capacitor. The nominal value of the required capacitor remains as presently stated at 100 nF, but a tolerance is now included which should assist Telepermit applicants. Return to Contents 7. PTC 101, AS/NZS 3260 AMDT 4 AND ELECTRICITY REGULATIONS 1997 Two important developments in the electrical safety area are currently in progress. Firstly, Amendment No. 4 to IEC 950 is about to be adopted as Amendment No. 4 to AS/NZS 3260, bringing Australia and New Zealand into line with the current international standard. In particular, Amendment 4 covers the issues raised in these Newsletters during 1995 as regards modem testing and the need for additional insulation. Secondly, the Ministry of Commerce have published a new edition of the Electricity Regulations. These come into force from 9 May as the Electricity Regulations 1997. The 1993 Regulations will be revoked from this date. Around 80% of the regulations have been changed, although many of these are editorial amendments to improve readability. Many of the regulation numbers have also been changed relative to the 1993 edition, so it is important that any cross references to the electricity regulations in other documents are checked to confirm their validity. The new Regulations define Telecommunications network voltage in terms of the AS/NZS 3260 general "TNV" description for simplicity, although the proposed amendment to the standard will actually deal with three separate classes of TNV for testing and operational purposes. Of particular interest to those in the telecommunications industry, the old Reg 16 (2), which covered work "deemed not to be prescribed work", will now be Reg 17 (2). This regulation will clarify the position that where telecommunications current sources are inherently limited to safe levels set by IEC 479, any work on such equipment is not deemed to be prescribed work. These two changes provide a good opportunity to re-issue PTC 101, the 1997 edition of which will assume the new loose-leaf A4 format to fit in the same folder as TNA 102 and PTC 200. Further information on this Specification will be published in a future Newsletter. Return to Contents 8. REGULATORY CHANGES TAKING PLACE IN AUSTRALIA The Australian telecommunications industry will see some significant regulatory changes taking place on 1 July when the present carrier duopoly ends and AUSTEL combines with the Spectrum Management Agency to form the new Australian Communications Authority (ACA). The ACA will take over the regulatory parts of AUSTEL's present role, leaving most of the standards setting activities to a new organisation, the Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF). The ACIF will work closely with Standards Australia and, as a result, many of the present separate AUSTEL and Standards Australia standards working groups are expected to be combined. The primary aim of these changes is to make the industry and the network operators responsible for setting the necessary interface and operational standards, not the regulator. AUSTEL's present permit process will change quite significantly. Currently, it is almost a direct equivalent of the Telecom Telepermit process, with each product needing a permit to connect to one or other of the Australian carrier networks. This arrangement will be dropped in favour of product certification by the manufacturer or importer based on compliance testing by the manufacturer or other competent party. These changes will leave the ACA to adopt an audit role in addition to their other mainly regulatory obligations. Return to Contents 9. TELEPERMIT STILL REQUIRED Several readers have asked what impact these changes will have on Telecom's Telepermit system. At this stage, the likely answer is none, as the New Zealand Telecommunications Act sets a quite different scenario to that in Australia. As explained above in relation to the new Telepermit application form, Telecom's relationship with CPE suppliers is "contractual", not "regulatory". As such, Telecom does not have the powers to set national standards, but it is empowered under the Telecommunications Act to set standards appropriate to the connection of equipment to its own networks. This same empowerment applies to all other network operators. From questions recently put to us, it seems that statements are being made within the industry to the effect that it is no longer necessary to obtain Telepermits for some (or all) products for connection to the Telecom network. This is not true, and there have been no changes to the basic requirement to obtain a Telepermit. TELEPERMITS ARE STILL REQUIRED as Telecom's means of indicating its agreement to the connection of a product to its network under Section 6 of the Telecommunications Act. Under its standard terms for the provision of network service, customers are required to connect ONLY Telepermitted products. Any comments to the contrary are simply rumours presumably initiated by uninformed people in the industry. Possibly, they have got the impression that this country is aligning with the new Australian arrangements. It would be appreciated if readers could actively correct any such rumours they may hear. Also, it is timely to remind readers that Telepermits are necessary for products connected indirectly, as well as directly, to the Telecom network. Typical examples are bandwidth management equipment and microwave radio systems on private networks passing voice signals, and products such as "Voice Over Frame Relay", all of which influence signals which traverse the Telecom network and often terminate in the Telecom network. The most significant aspect is transmission of "voice" signals. The few exceptions to the requirement for Telepermit are commercial building cabling products and data products connected to leased digital data circuits behind a Telecom-supplied network interface. Telecom has granted general exemptions for these classes of product. Return to Contents DOUG BURRUS Manager Access Standards AMENDMENTS TO TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO TNA 115 Clause 4.3 (3) on page 18 Amend the existing sub-clause (b) to read as follows:- (b) The outer conductor of the input port coaxial cable shall be connected to earth through a 100 V capacitor having a value in the range 47 nF to 1000 nF, nominally 100 nF (see Fig. 1(b)). FIG.1(b): Add the words "Nominal value" after the capacitor value "100 nF (100V)" TNA 115:1992 Amendment No. 1 APRIL 1997 AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO TNA 117 Clause 4.3 (2) on page 18 Amend the existing sub-clause (b) to read as follows:- (b) The outer conductor of the input port coaxial cable shall be connected to earth through a 100 V capacitor having a value in the range 47 nF to 1000 nF, nominally 100 nF (see Fig. 1(b)). FIG.1(b): Add the words "Nominal value" after the capacitor value "100 nF (100V)" TNA 117:1992 Amendment No. 1 APRIL 1997 Return to Contents MARCH/APRIL 1997 Access Standards Newsletter No. 97