ACMA Telecommunications

General

The ACMA TLN references a range of standards for different Telecommunications Devices, some of which are “high risk” Standards and Devices. Telecoms Devices must comply with all applicable clauses of the referenced standards.

Requirements

For high risk devices an ilac accredited report is required. CB reports (with accompanying certificates) are also acceptable. Examples include voice cellular devices.

For devices not deemed high risk a non endored report is acceptable.

Air Interface Network Standard

Telecommunications (Mobile Equipment Air Interface) Technical Standard 2018 references Air Interface Network standards AS/CA S042.1 and AS/CA S042.4. These standards rely almost exclusively on CE Marking RED test reports to standards such as EN 301 908-1, EN 301 908-2 and EN 301 908-13. FCC Part 22 is referenced for devices that operate on 850MHz (band 5).

Manufacturer Declarations to a range of ETSI standards are required along with Manufacturer IMEI Declarations.

Electrical Safety Standard

Telecommunications (Customer Equipment Safety) Technical Standard 2018  references Electrical Safety standards AS/NZS 60950.1 and AS/NZS 62368.1.

The Electrical Safety Standards specify IP (Ingress Protection) testing to AS 60529 for devices that can be exposed to water or dust (generally outdoors devices). The most common IP rating is IP67.

NOTE: AS/NZS 60950.1 has been superseded by 62368.1 and will no longer be in force after February 14th 2022. Testing and assessment to the newer standard is generally more involved and slightly more expensive.

Other Standards

Devices that connect directly to Telecommunications Networks (such as PSTN or ISDN) must be tested to AS/CA S003.

Devices that use voice (including VOIP) and operate close to the human ear must be tested to AS/CA S004.

Common Telecoms Technologies & Devices

Technologies:

• 3G
• 4G
• 5G
• LTE (Long Term Evolution)
• IoT (Internet of Things)
• NB IoT (Narrow Band Internet of Things)
• CAT M1 (Category M1) NB IoT
• Voice over LTE (VoLTE)
• Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi)

Devices:

• Cellular Routers
• Vehicle Trackers
• Smart Watches
• Data Gateways
• Remote Monitoring Stations

Essentially, any Host Device that incorporates a Cellular Module or Modem falls under the ACMA TLN.

HOT TIP 1: Try to obtain EN 301 908-1 test reports for the whole Device (host plus Cellular Module) that include Radiated Spurious Emissions (RSE) testing per clause 4.2.2. Otherwise expensive RSE testing may be required in order to fully comply with the TLN. Celular Module reports to EN 301 908-1/2/13 are essential.

HOT TIP 2: AS/NZS 60950.1 has been superseded by AS/NZS 62368.1 and will no longer be in force after February 2022. Testing and assessment to the newer standard is generally more involved and slightly more expensive.

HOT TIP 3: Try to obtain an ilac accredited safety test report to AS/NZS 60950.1 or AS/NZS 62368.1 for the whole Device that references Australian National Variations. Provided the report is valid, you would not have to do any local testing.