Under the Telecommunications Act 1997, the ACMA is responsible for regulating customer equipment and customer cabling.
The ACMA administers industry self-regulatory arrangements based on compliance with applicable standards and labelling. These regulatory arrangements aim to ensure that items meet minimum mandatory technical standards and are appropriately labelled before they are connected to a telecommunications network.
The technical standards aim to:
- protect the personal health and safety of users and operators of telecommunications networks
- protect the integrity of the telecommunications networks ensuring interoperability with telecommunications networks for the supply of a standard telephone service
- ensure access to emergency call services.
The ACMA's role also includes:
- encouraging development of codes of practice and industry standards for the telecommunications industry, and registering and monitoring compliance with such codes
- providing advice and information to consumers about their rights and safeguards
- undertaking research into phone usage
- liaising with relevant overseas bodies and actively participating in international standardisation activities.
