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The ACMA has made the Integrated Public Number Database Scheme 2007 (the IPND Scheme). The IPND Scheme commenced on 15 May 2007.

What is the IPND?

The integrated public number database (IPND) is an industry wide database of all listed and unlisted public numbers. It was established in 1998 and is currently managed by Telstra under the Carrier Licence Conditions (Telstra Corporation Limited) Declaration 1997. More information on of the IPND is available .

The IPND Scheme

The ACMA is required to make an IPND Scheme under s295A of the Telecommunications Act 1997 (the Telecom Act).

In addition, the Telecom Act includes provisions for the Minister to make up to seven Ministerial Instruments in relation to the IPND Scheme. The ACMA is required to have regard to these instruments in its consideration of whether to grant authorisations under the IPND Scheme.

The object of the IPND Scheme is to provide for the grant of authorisation for the purposes specified in section 285 (1A) (d) of the Telecom Act and the imposition of conditions on the grant of authorisations. The purposes are the publication and maintenance of a PND and the conduct of research of a kind specified by the Minister. The IPND Scheme should provide greater protection of IPND data and regulate the access of data by public number directory (PND) publishers and researchers.

The IPND Scheme provides for the making of applications, the assessment of applications, the period for which an authorisation will apply and the notification of decisions under the Scheme. The IPND Scheme also provides for the imposition of conditions on the granting of authorisation, and outlines the process for when an authorisation will end.

Applications

Those seeking to use and disclose IPND data for the purposes covered by the IPND Scheme are required to apply to the ACMA, specifying the reason for which they seek authorisation. They must also demonstrate their ability to handle the information securely.

Applications must be accompanied by a completed privacy impact form. The privacy impact form evaluates an entire project from a privacy perspective and identifies risks and mitigation strategies throughout.

Public number directory publishers

There are two stages of authorisation for those who wish to use and disclose IPND information for the publication and maintenance of a PND.

Provisional authorisation

Applicants for provisional authorisation must apply using the form T021. The application must be accompanied by the form T023.

Provisional authorisation entitles a PND publisher to be supplied with a provisional IPND data source which will be a restricted version of IPND data. This should be used by the PND publisher to produce a sample product for the ACMA to consider as an application for final authorisation.

An extension may be requested on the form T024 if the applicant is unable to provide a sample within that timeframe for reasons beyond the PND publisher’s control.

Final authorisation

The ACMA will assess the sample product provided, and if it is satisfied the sample complies with the relevant requirements final authorisation will be granted. The PND publisher will then have 90 days in which publish a PND. An extension may be requested on the form T025 if a PND publisher fails to publish a PND in the required timeframe for reasons beyond its control.

Researchers

Researchers who wish to use and disclose IPND data for the purposes of the IPND Scheme are required to apply to the ACMA for authorisation on a project by project basis. Applications must be made on the form T028 and should provide specific details about the kind of research project including the duration for which IPND data is sought. The application must be accompanied by form T030 approved by the ACMA.

Researchers may apply for an extension of an authorisation if they have been unable to complete their research project for reasons beyond their control on form T029.

Reporting requirements

Public number directory publishers

Final authorisation is subject to a condition requiring PND publishers to provide the ACMA with a report about their compliance with the IPND Scheme. This form T026 must be provided annually on the anniversary of the date final authorisation started, or upon request by the ACMA.

PND publishers are also required to provide an acquittal report (form T027) when an authorisation ends.

Researchers

The IPND Scheme specifies the reporting requirements for researchers if they are granted authorisation to use and disclose information in the IPND. Where a researcher has been given authorisation for a period of more than one year they are required to provide a compliance report (form T031) to the ACMA, annually on the anniversary of the date authorisation was given or upon request by the ACMA.

In addition, all researchers must provide the ACMA with an acquittal report (form T032) on the data usage within one month of either ceasing to be supplied with IPND data or the end of the authorisation period, whichever is earlier.

Forms

Public number directory publishers

Researchers

Ministerial instruments

 

Last update: 20 August 2012 18:18