Telepermit Overview
In New Zealand the Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) is a business unit of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and is responsible for efficiently and effectively managing radio spectrum. Part of their responsibility is the administration and management of electro-magnetic compatibility and radio standards for telecommunications equipment. They are the Regulator.
Energy Safety is part of the WorkSafe New Zealand which is the government agency responsible for providing an effective investigation, compliance, enforcement and conformance regime for electrical safety. Part of their responsibility is the administration and management of electrical safety standards for telecommunications equipment. They are the Regulator.
Spark has a formal process for setting standards for equipment which may be attached to its various telecommunications networks. Spark operates a Permit to Connect (PTC) approval system for equipment to be attached to the Spark network.
New Zealand law states that "a person may only connect equipment to a network or anything connected to a network that is owned or operated by an operator who has agreed to the connection" (section 106, Telecommunications Act 2001). Spark's agreement to the connection of any equipment is shown by Spark issuing a Telepermit.
Once equipment has complied with the specifications and conditions in accordance with the PTC Acceptance Testing Process, Spark provides an agreement for connection of the equipment by granting a Telepermit to the applicant. The Telepermit certification illustrates that the equipment is fit for purpose, that it meets requirements and it can be expected that it will not interfere with other services or users.
There is no legal requirement for a mobile device to be certified (Permit To Connect - PTC) before it connects to the Spark NZ mobile network. The benefit of having a device Telepermit approved is that network operator cannot then prevent the device from operating on its network. Spark NZ is legally entitled to protect their mobile network and customers and as such any devices that cause problems to either the network or surrounding customers can be blacklisted and prevented from reconnecting. As part of operating a mobile network Spark NZ leases radio spectrum from the NZ government, should a device break that lease agreement in any way it can also be blacklisted.
Products sold in New Zealand that have been granted a Telepermit also have the right to display a Telepermit label on the equipment (Either physically or electronically). This label clearly indicates that the product has been certified and may be connected to the Spark network.
