Have Modem, But Can't Travel: Aca
The Age
Tuesday April 28, 1998
UNSUSPECTING people who bring modems into the country and plug them into their hotel phone lines could be risking fines of up to $12,000. While there are no known cases of imported machines actually compromising networks, the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) is investigating the use of modems and other devices that do not meet Australian standards.
The cases being investigated now are more commercial importations, according to ACA telecommunications standards compliance team manager, Vem Mani. Since new rules came into place in mid-1997, the ACA has been gathering information on compliance by manufacturers and importers. All devices plugged into Australian networks must bear the correct sticker indicating they have passed safety and network standard tests.
Technically, business travellers using devices that don't have that "A-tick" are in breach of the rules, Mani says.
"If they're bringing in modems and plugging them into the wall, then they're breaking the law. When he (the businessman) comes into Australia . . . he's an importer."
David Stewart, managing director of modem makers Sirius Technologies, said he wanted to see the rules enforced against underhand commercial importers.
Apart from the safety issues and the integrity of the network, "it costs a lot of money to get products approved" and it was unfair to legitimate operators if non-standard modems were sold cheaply.
© 1998 The Age
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