1.1
Equipment types and associated Specifications
(1) This Specification covers the technical requirements for devices intended for connection to the Telecom analogue Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This includes Centrex devices. References are made to Technical Document TNA 102, which describes conditions applicable to all PSTN analogue lines and the two Specifications complement one another.
* Specification PTC 102 is being reissued as TNA 102.
(2) This Specification replaces the following PTC Specifications:-
PTC 202 Technical Requirements for Telephony Products PTC 211 Requirements for Non-Voice Customer Equipment PTC 212 Requirements for Voice-Type Automatic Answering, Calling and Recording Equipment
(3) The requirements of this Specification cover the following types of equipment:-
| Type of device | Category |
|---|---|
| Telephony devices (including those with monitoring or loudspeaking facilities) | PTC 202 |
| Headsets and handsets (when marketed individually) | PTC 202 PTC 208 |
| Non-voice devices (fax machines, modems, etc) | PTC 211 |
| Voice-type auto-answering calling & recording devices (answering machines, etc) | PTC 212 |
| Cordless telephony devices (see also sub-clause (4) below) | PTC 206 |
| Payphones (see also sub-clause (4) below) | PTC 213 |
| Conference terminals (excluding conference bridges) | PTC 214 |
| Miscellaneous and series-connected devices | PTC 210 |
| Small PABX's/KTS (see also sub-clause (5) below) | PTC 207 |
| Other devices which incorporate one | As appropriate or more of the above functions |
(4) For some types of equipment, it is necessary to refer to other Specifications in addition to this Specification as indicated below. In each case, the Specification referred to shall be read in conjunction with this Specification:-
(a) For all equipment which intentionally uses radio frequencies, the allocation of those frequencies is administered by the Radio Operations Division of the Ministry of Commerce. Frequency allocations and application procedures are published in Product Specification RFS 30:1996 entitled "Specification for Radio Apparatus: Cordless Telephones", copies of which can be obtained from:-
Engineering Services
Radio Operations
Ministry of Commerce
P O Box 2847
WELLINGTON
New Zealand
* Cordless devices are subject to the requirements of the Radiocommunications Act 1989 and Radiocommunications (Radio) Regulations 1993. These requirements were previously covered in Ministry of Commerce Document RFS 29.
(b) For all devices with payphone facilities, Specification PTC 213 shall be read in conjunction with this Specification.
(5) For PABX's, and any device designed for use in conjunction with PABX's, particularly when such a device is 'system dependent', then this Specification shall be read in conjunction with Specifications PTC 107, PTC 108 and PTC 109.
* Many PABX's and Key Telephone Systems provide extension ports designed for use with PSTN devices compliant with this Specification. However, compliance with the requirements of this Specification is no guarantee that a device will work satisfactorily with all PABX's and Key Telephone Systems.
(a) This Specification covers most types of analogue devices intended for connection to the Telecom PSTN or to PABX systems in customers' premises. It also includes coverage of the most significant aspects of more simple PABX/KTS systems categorised as "Type 2".
(b) For "Type 1" PABX/KTS systems, this Specification covers the basic requirements of trunk interfaces for connection to PSTN lines. All further PABX requirements are covered separately by the Specifications PTC 207, PTC 107, PTC 108 and PTC 109.
* See Section 3 for definitions of "Type 1" and "Type 2" PABX/KTS systems.
1.2
Electromagnetic interference (EMI)
1.2.1
Radiated energy requirements
(1) All equipment shall comply with the Radiocommunications Act 1989 and Radiocommunications (Radio) Regulations 1993 as regards radiated energy. These requirements are administered by the Ministry of Commerce and responsibility for such compliance rests with the Telepermit applicant.
* Any microprocessor-based equipment is likely to give rise to unwanted radiation and it is advisable that this aspect be checked before any equipment is released onto the New Zealand market.
(2) Ministry of Commerce compliance requirements for EMI are not part of Telecom's requirements and, as such, are not pre-requisites for the grant of a Telepermit.
* All enquiries regarding EMI requirements and testing matters should be addressed to:-
Ministry of Commerce
Laboratory Services
47 MacKelvie Street
Grey Lynn
AUCKLAND
(3) There is currently no formal Telecom requirement for the degree of immunity from electromagnetic fields other than where it affects compliance with other requirements of this Specification. This is regarded as a marketing issue. Return to Contents
1.2.2
Immunity from radiated energy
It is strongly recommended that all devices satisfy the requirements for immunity to radiated electromagnetic energy as stated in the joint Australian and New Zealand standard, AS/NZS 4252.
* This requirement is likely to become mandatory during 1997-8. It can be tested by the Ministry of Commerce as in clause 1.2.1 above.
* The acceptable equivalent European standard is CENELEC/CEN 50082-1:1992.
1.3
Legal requirements
Section 6 of the Telecommunications Act 1987 requires that nothing shall be connected to a telecommunications network without the agreement of the network operator. For connection to the Telecom network, any device shall comply with Telecom's PTC specifications and display a label as evidence that a Telepermit has been granted.
* The display of a Telepermit label clearly indicates to customers that the device may lawfully be connected to the network (ref. Specification PTC 100).
* The only exceptions are those devices supplied by Telecom or NZ Post Office prior to 1 May 1988, and those classes of product listed as exceptions in Specification PTC 100.
1.4
Exclusions
Devices designed to be acoustically coupled to telephony devices are excluded from coverage by a Telepermit. Telecom accepts no responsibility for the quality of signals transmitted or received via any acoustically coupled device.
Return to Contents
1.5
Compliance with International standards
(1) As far as is practicable, Telecom complies with ITU-T (formerly CCITT) Recommendations. Reference is made as appropriate to specific Recommendations throughout this Specification. For convenience, such references indicate the Recommendation current at the date of issue, e.g. 'CCITT Blue Book Rec. xxx' is stated where there is no more recent ITU-T Recommendation.
(2) Also, wherever possible Telecom endeavours to harmonise Telepermit requirements with equivalent overseas specifications. This particularly applies to Australian Communications Authority (ACA) requirements.
* The original issues of PTC Specifications were harmonised with British Standards as far as possible, owing to the fact that the Telecom network design was originally close to that of British Telecom. It is now New Zealand Government policy to align Australian and New Zealand Standards wherever possible. Complete alignment, however, is not realistic due to fundamental network differences. As a result, it is not possible for Access Standards to accept test reports to ACA specifications without the differences in the standards being fully addressed.
1.6
Temporary relaxations
The requirements of this Specification apply from the date of publication. All earlier relaxations in Specifications PTC 202, PTC 211 and PTC 212 have now expired, including those given for telephones in the draft Issue 2 of Specification PTC 202.
Return to Contents
1.7
Mandatory requirements
(1) All mandatory requirements of this Specification are denoted by use of the word "shall" and are highlighted by shading for ease of identification.
(2) The requirements of such clauses are also included in the test schedule detailed in Appendix 3. These requirements will, in general, be regarded as the minimum requirements for the grant of a Telepermit from 1 July 1996.
* Appendix 3 also includes some tests of requirements which, although not mandatory, are required for information and comparison purposes.
1.8
Exemptions from full compliance
(1) Notwithstanding the statement in clause 1.7 above, Access Standards reserves the right to grant exemptions to any mandatory requirements of this Specification where considered appropriate. Most such exemptions will be in the category of "professional equipment" and can generally be identified by the following characteristics:-
(a) 'Closed' systems where one or more dialling devices call special answering equipment. Such equipment is usually connected to unlisted numbers or in such a way that it does not interfere with normal telephone operation.
* A typical example is equipment which initiates but does not receive calls.
(b) Equipment which is used infrequently or under restricted conditions for purposes other than normal voice or data communication. Such equipment is generally installed professionally.
* An example is an alarm system which makes outgoing calls only in the event of emergencies.
(c) Equipment not offered for sale in retail stores to the general public.
* These three categories will generally apply to low volume specialised or high value products where the area of non-compliance is considered to have minimal impact on that product's primary functions.
(2) It is not possible to publish a list or to quantify the exemptions that may be granted. The nature of professional equipment is such that every case has to be treated on its individual merits. (3) Where a Telepermit is granted for such equipment which is not fully compliant with every mandatory requirement, the approach used will be based on an overall assessment taking into consideration all other mandatory and voluntary requirements.
(4) If a product, considered by the applicant to fall into the "professional equipment" category, fails a test carried out by a Testing Authority, then the applicant should:-
(a) discuss the matter with that Testing Authority to establish whether or not to proceed with the Telepermit application, and,
(b) where there is apparent justification for an exemption, the matter should be addressed to Access Standards for consideration. Return to Contents
1.9
Warning to Suppliers
(1) Compatibility between the Telecom network and any type of equipment covered by this Specification is necessary for satisfactory operation. To ensure that the maximum degree of compatibility is achieved, the equipment should fully comply with this Specification.
(2) It is not possible to guarantee compatibility in every conceivable situation and, similarly, it is not possible or practicable for Telepermit testing to cover every situation. Nevertheless, the majority of operating conditions are covered by the testing requirements defined in Appendix 3.
(3) (a) Suppliers should note that equipment which is not fully compliant with this Specification may suffer a higher proportion of service problems than that which complies in all respects. The cost of dealing with such problems will normally be borne by the customers involved.
* Suppliers should also note that under the Fair Trading Act 1986 and Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, customers may have the right to pass on this cost to the supplier.
(b) Should problems result from use of a product that has granted a Telepermit as the result of limited compliance testing, Telecom (Access Standards) reserves the right to amend the test criteria in the light of actual service experience.
* Such an amendment would not necessarily affect the stated requirements of this Specification. Normally, only the testing requirements of Appendix 3 would be affected. Return to Contents
1.10
Non-compliance aspects
All applicants for Telepermits covered by this Specification shall investigate those areas indicated by the Testing Authority as being non-compliant. The Telepermit application shall incorporate either:-
(a) evidence that the product has been suitably modified to fully comply with this Specification, together with an explanation of the arrangements made to ensure that these modifications will be carried out on all future production units, or
(b) an explanation giving justification for non-compliance, together with a statement of the applicant's intentions regarding the product's future compliance. Return to Contents
1.11
Warning notices
(1) There are many instances where the applicant is required to insert a warning notice in the User Manual for the product. This usually applies when devices are not fully compliant with recommendations. In such cases, the grant of a Telepermit is conditional on the warning notices being inserted, and it is the responsibility of the Telepermit holder to ensure that the customer is fully aware of them.
* For convenience, a complete list of warning notices is given in Section 13. Each notice is referenced to the relevant clause in the text.
(2) To fail to pass on this information may be in breach of the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, and may result in the Telepermit holder being liable to compensate the user for any Telecom call-out charges.
(3) It is recommended that all warning notices in the User Manual be incorporated either in one place or, preferably, at the appropriate places within the text. This reduces the risk of the information being overlooked.
* These warnings assist both the supplier and the user, as they explain what is required or what restrictions apply to the product in service. As such, they inform the user and are also likely to protect the supplier under the Consumer Guarantees Act.
1.12
Product and service compatibility
(1) This Specification deals with Telecom's requirements for ensuring compatibility with the basic functions of its network. As such, the granting of a Telepermit does not necessarily imply that a product is compatible with all of Telecom's supplementary services. Similarly, any two products which have been granted Telepermits are not necessarily fully compatible with one another.
* As at April 1997, 4000 items have been granted Telepermits and these cover a wide range of products. Similarly, the range and number of Telecom's network services are being progressively increased.
(2) Some common potential CPE incompatibility aspects are dealt with in this Specification. Typical examples are ringing loading and sensitivity, and d.c. characteristics. Similarly, some potential problem areas are covered by notes or recommendations. Nevertheless, it is not practicable to guarantee inter-compatibility for the vast number of potential combinations. Return to Contents
1.13
Ongoing compliance
In all cases where a modification is necessary for a product under test to comply with Telepermit requirements (ref. clause 12.3), such modifications shall be applied to all items of that product supplied to the market. For ongoing compliance, such modifications shall be applied to all future batches of the product supplied.