TELECOM ACCESS STANDARDS NEWSLETTER NO. 141 August 2003 CONTENTS 1. RADIO REGULATORY CHANGES 2. CELLPHONE "JAMMERS" 3. CELLPHONE "SAFETY DEVICES" 4. HOAX EMAIL WARNINGS 5. GATE AND DOOR ENTRY SYSTEMS RETURN TO MAIN INDEX 1. RADIO REGULATORY CHANGES The Ministry of Economic Development website defines changes in the radio regulatory area, as regards EMC and radio standards, which came into force on 1 May 2003. The introductory web page can be seen on:- http://www.med.govt.nz/rsm/standards/index.html This provides links to a series of papers on various aspects of the new requirements. It is recommended that CPE suppliers examine these papers fairly carefully, as there are serious penalties for non-compliance. Note that the Ministry's radio and EMC system is a separate issue to the need to apply to Telecom for a Telepermit. The relevant PTC specification requirements still apply as regards Telecom network compliance and the granting of a Telepermit for all products intended for connection to the Telecom network. Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) As far as EMC is concerned, the new arrangements now align the radio compliance frameworks for Australia and New Zealand. Under the new rules, an EMC declaration of conformity made by the same company (or its associated company in Australia) applies in New Zealand and vice versa. These arrangements also prepare for when the standards for radio devices are fully aligned between Australia and New Zealand, although this point has not quite been reached yet. Supplier self-declaration For both EMC and radio standards compliance, the new system is based on supplier "self-declaration". Local importers or manufacturers are required to apply for a Supplier Code Number (SCN) before placing any sort of EMC compliance mark on a product. There is no charge for this code and an application form is available from the MED website by clicking on "Application" under the heading "Supplier Code Numbers (SCN)" in the left hand margin of each "top" page. The compliance mark, along with the identity of the supplier, should be placed close to each product's identification label. Having obtained an SCN, it is no longer necessary to forward a copy of the Declaration of Conformity to the Ministry (the standard form required can be down-loaded by clicking on "Declaration of Conformity" in the left hand margin of the above web page). Instead, the completed and signed form must be held by the supplier in a "Compliance Folder". The content of this folder varies according to the level of conformity that applies to the product concerned. However, for most CPE, test reports prepared by accredited laboratories are required as evidence of both EMC or radio standards compliance. It should be noted that, just as Telepermits may not be transferred without advising Teelcom, it is not permissible to transfer an SCN to another person or company without the prior approval of the MED. "Non-radio type CPE All new "non-radio type" telecommunications CPE being introduced to the local market after 1 May is subject to "Level of Conformity 3" requirements, which require the local importer to hold an EMC test report from an accredited testing body, along with a full product description and the signed Declaration of Conformity. It is expected that this will be reduced to "Level of Conformity 2" later this year. Radio-type CPE Radio-type CPE is covered by the appropriate standard, rather than as a general EMC matter. The required level of compliance of telecommunications CPE intentionally using radio frequencies, such as cordless telephones, is defined in Tables published under the Radiocommunications (Radio standards) Notice 2003. These can be seen on:- http://www.med.govt.nz/rsm/standards/notices/radio-stds/index.html CPE containing radio frequency oscillators or microprocessors It is important to note that the new Level 2 conformity requirements apply to any product containing a "microprocessor or other clocked digital device", any product containing a "radio frequency oscillator, or any product "operating in a switching or non-linear mode". This last term covers many power supply units. The Radiocommunications (Compliance) Notice 2003 can be viewed on:- http://www.med.govt.nz/rsm/standards/notices/compliance/index.html CPE and related products introduced before May 2003 Good news for suppliers of existing products is that there is a transitional provision in Section 8 (this is in the second part of this document - click on the word "Continued" on page 4 of the first part). This explains that products already on sale in this country prior to 1 May, and covered by a Declaration of Compliance submitted to the Ministry under the earlier process, are deemed to be compliant with the new requirements. New CPE and related products Any supplier of non-radio CPE items introduced after 1 May is subject to the new requirements for marking its products with a "C-tick" compliance mark and clearly identifying that supplier. While radio-type CPE would not normally be marked with a C-tick, if the product already bears an Australian C-tick with the Supplier Code Number of the same company (or an associate company which has agreed to the use of its SCN), this can be retained. Suppliers of CPE and related items imported into New Zealand are NOT permitted to use other parties' C-ticks (or retain them on products should they have already been marked by an overseas manufacturer). This applies also to A-ticks(the ACA compliance mark for CPE equivalent to Telecom's Telepermit). The Australian Communications Authority recently published the July 2003 edition of "Electromagnetic Compatibility. Information for Suppliers of Electrical and Electronic Products in Australia and New Zealand". This provides a good outline of EMC compliance requirements and it can be downloaded from:- http://www.med.govt.nz/rsm/standards/pdfs/emcbook.pdf Make sure you check on your compliance obligations The above is very much an "overview", intended only to draw the attention of CPE suppliers to the new requirements. It does not cover the full picture, so it is important that all those concerned make themselves familiar with what is needed to place their specific products on the local market. If, after reading the information on the MED website, any supplier is still having difficulty deciding what is needed, David Josland of the MED can be contacted by email. His email address is david.josland@med.govt.nz . Alternatively, he can be contacted by telephone on (09) 360 3921. 2. CELLPHONE "JAMMERS" We have recently had some enquiries about the use of cellphone "jammers" in New Zealand. Interest in these devices has arisen because they appear to be a means of avoiding interference (and annoyance) to other patrons in lecture theatres, cinemas, concerts, etc, due to cellphones ringing at inappropriate times. Some means of allowing the proprietor of the venue to completely block cellphones seems a good idea - until other issues are considered. Unfortunately, like any other radio signals, the signals from cellular jammers are difficult to constrain wholly within the intended venue. If they are to have sufficient power to totally block cellphone use within the venue, they are also likely to affect customers outside, but close to that venue. At greater distances, while they may not totally block cellphone use, they can still cause serious service degradation for users. Those that do have sufficient power to be effective are also likely to create a hazard for any persons who are close to the antenna. A further complication is that jammers are not "absolute" in their effectiveness. Because of radio wave propagation effects within the venue, there can still be locations which are unaffected by the jammer. This can be overcome by using multiple jammers, but this only worsens likely outside interference. From a mobile network operator's viewpoint, interference needs to be avoided wherever possible and Telecom could certainly not condone the free sale and use of such devices. There may be special circumstances where such devices could be justified, but careful design would needed. Unauthorised use of such devices would be in breach of the Radiocommunications Regulations. The net result is that Telecom, as the official manager of its mobile spectrum, will not Telepermit cellphone jammers to be operated on its frequencies without specific site authority. Even then, very few circumstances are expected to justify the use of such devices. The simple (although not always effective) solution is for customers to be asked to ensure that they have turned off their cellphones in any situations where ringing cellphones would be an unwarranted nuisance to other persons. 3. CELLPHONE "SAFETY DEVICES" Another mobile product that comes to notice from time to time is the "cellphone head protector". Typically, this consists of a mysterious device that clips on the cellphone or its antenna and allegedly prevents "dangerous radiation" reaching the user's brain. All cellphones used in New Zealand meet the stringent requirements of local radio safety standards in terms of their "SAR" (Specific Absorption Rating). Because our local standards are somewhat tighter even than most international standards, there is no danger in using any cellphones sold on the New Zealand market, even for prolonged periods. If these various devices were in any way effective, they would reduce the radio signal level in the direction of the user's head. This would tend to make the cellphone "directional" so that the user would not be able to face in any direction which put the "device" between the cellphone and the base station. So far, there has been no evidence that these devices have any effect on radio performance or safety levels. Needless to say, they cannot be recommended. 4. HOAX EMAIL WARNINGS While on the subject of "scams", it is worth noting that we have received reports of an email that is currently being distributed. This warns of a scam which suggests someone posing as a telephone technician may call homes and ask the person to dial the digits 90# and hang up. The email suggests that doing this gives control of the phone to a fraudster who can then make calls which will be billed to the victim's account. The email implies that Telecom confirms this is a risk in New Zealand, but this is quite untrue. Telecom's Fraud Services group has confirmed that the scam does not affect Telecom's telephone network. The "story" originated in the USA and there is no way that it can impact on either Telecom's direct line customers or those connecting via PABXs (where a prefix is dialled to access an exchange line). Dialling 1, 0, #, or any other digit sequences are not capable of achieving what is suggested. If you receive one of the emails, please do not perpetuate it by sending it on to others. 5. GATE AND DOOR ENTRY SYSTEMS With the high level of concern over security, various gate and door entry systems are being offered for sale, especially for "up-market" homes. Some of these are intended to make use of existing telephones and associated telephone cabling in order to reduce the need for additional cabling. Needless to say, any system that connects to the Telecom network and its associated customer premises cabling needs a Telepermit. There are essentially two acceptable types for individual homes: a. those with control systems that connect to the Telecom network on the customer's side of the network demarcation point, but on the network side of all other premises wiring and CPE in order to provide a line break-in function. This allows the door or gate telephone to break into established calls if the line is busy. The occupant then enters a code on the home telephone which activates the control system to open the door or gate; and b. those which operate more like a PABX system, with an extension at the door or gate. That extension has no access to the network and can make calls to or receive calls from only other extension telephones on the same system. In both cases, the control system is required to provide full electrical isolation between the gate locking or motor drive system and the Telecom network. For gate entry systems, a weatherproof telephone is mounted at the gateway. This may or may not be incorporated into a control unit. In such cases, it might appear to the installer that the most convenient arrangement is to connect it between the nearby street cable terminal and the Telecom lead-in cable, especially if there is a long driveway. Despite any apparent convenience, Telecom does NOT permit anyone to connect equipment owned by a customer or a third party on the network side of the network demarcation point. In view of this, it is important that suppliers of these systems do not make any claims (or assumptions) that Telecom will agree to their being connected at the street cable terminal. DOUG BURRUS Manager Access Standards