Know Your Obligations booklet

Know Your Obligations

Size:          4.4 mb
Format:     Adobe Acrobat

The publication Know your Obligations was prepared by ACMA as a guide to the key obligations placed on carriers and carriage service providers (CSPs), including internet service providers and VoIP service providers, under the Telecommunications Act 1997 (the Telecommunications Act) and the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 (the TCPSS Act). These obligations fall into two main categories - obligations to industry and obligations to the community and individual consumers.

Know your obligations is intended only as a general guide. It covers consumer, community, competition and technical obligations, and provides sources of further information and key contact details. Information in this publication should not be regarded as a substitute for the relevant legislation and regulatory documents. You are encouraged to seek professional advice about the obligations outlined in this guide.

As the Australian regulator of telecommunications, radiocommunications, broadcasting and the internet, ACMA is responsible for ensuring industry compliance with the Telecommunications and TCPSS Acts. Penalties may be imposed for non-compliance with the regulatory framework under these Acts, so it is important that you are aware of your obligations. It is your responsibility to be aware of any changes to legislation and regulatory arrangements affecting carriers and CSPs.

By chapter

Introduction

Are you a carrier, a carriage service provider or both?

• General
• Carriers
• Carriage service providers (including Internet Service Providers and VoIP service providers

Industry obligations

• Carrier licences
• Carrier licence conditions
• Service provider rules
• Standard telephone services
• Universal service regime and financial obligations (the USO and NRS levies)
• Numbering
• Numbering charges
• Number portability
• Pre-selection
• Integrated Public Number Database
• Facility Installations
• Calling line identification

Technical regulation

• Telecommunications standards
• Obligation to connect
• Radiocommunications standards
• Electromagnetic compatibility standards
• Electromagntic energy health exposure standards
• International issues

Codes

• Industry codes and industry standards

Reporting

• Industry performance reporting
• Network Reliability Framework

Obligations to the community and consumers

Community

• Communication interception responsibilities
• Emergency call service
• Disability requirements
• Defence requirements and disaster plans
• Law enforcement
• National interest
• Operator and directory assistance services

Consumers

• Belonging to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Scheme
• Customer Service Guarantee
• Priority assistance
• Interim and alternative telephone services
• Itemised billing
• Privacy of customer information
• Standard terms of agreement
• Consumer contracts
• Untimed local calls

Further information

• Contact details