{"id":"F2025L00398","name":"Telecommunications (Requirements for Customer Equipment for Connection to a Metallic Local Loop Interface of a Telecommunications Network – AS/CA S043) Technical Standard 2025","slug":"telecommunications-requirements-for-customer-equipment-for-connection-to-a-metallic-local-loop-inter","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":106218,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2025L00398-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Telecommunications (Requirements for Customer Equipment for Connection to a Metallic Local Loop Interface of a Telecommunications Network – AS/CA S043) Technical Standard 2025","content":"![Commonwealth of Australia coat of arms](image.001.png)\n\nTelecommunications (Requirements for Customer Equipment for Connection to a Metallic Local Loop Interface of a Telecommunications Network – AS/CA S043) Technical Standard 2025\n\nThe Australian Communications and Media Authority makes the following technical standard under subsection 376(1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997.\n\nDated: 20 March 2025\n\nAdam Suckling\n\n\\[signed\\]\n\nMember\n\nMichael Brealey\n\n\\[signed\\]\n\nGeneral Manager\n\nAustralian Communications and Media Authority  \n\nPart 1 – Preliminary\n\n1 Name\n\n(1) This technical standard is the Telecommunications (Requirements for Customer Equipment for Connection to a Metallic Local Loop Interface of a Telecommunications Network – AS/CA S043) Technical Standard 2025.\n\n(2) This technical standard may also be cited as AS/CA S043–2025.\n\n2 Commencement\n\nThis technical standard commences on 30 March 2025.\n\n> Note: This technical standard is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation which may be accessed free of charge at www.legislation.gov.au.\n\n3 Authority\n\nThis technical standard is made under subsection 376(1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997.\n\n4 Repeal of the Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Equipment for connection to a metallic local loop interface of a Telecommunications Network – AS/CA S043) 2015\n\nThe Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Equipment for connection to a metallic local loop interface of a Telecommunications Network – AS/CA S043) 2015 (F2015L00192) is repealed.\n\n5 Objects\n\nThe objects of this technical standard are to specify requirements that are necessary or convenient for:\n\n(a) protecting the integrity of a telecommunications network or a facility;\n\n(b) protecting the health or safety of persons who:\n\n(i) operate;\n\n(ii) work on;\n\n(iii) use services supplied by means of; or\n\n(iv) are otherwise reasonably likely to be affected by the operation of;\n\na telecommunications network or a facility;\n\n(c) ensuring that customer equipment can be used to give access to an emergency call service; and\n\n(d) ensuring, for the purposes of the supply of a standard telephone service, the interoperability of customer equipment with a telecommunications network to which the equipment is, or is proposed to be, connected.\n\nPart 2 – Interpretation\n\n6 Definitions\n\nIn this technical standard:\n\n> ACMA transition period, in relation to an applicable AS/CA Standard, has the meaning given by section 9.\n\n> Act means the Telecommunications Act 1997.\n\namendment instrument, in relation to an applicable AS/CA Standard, means an instrument prepared by Communications Alliance Ltd that amends the applicable AS/CA Standard.\n\n> applicable AS/CA Standard, in relation to an item, has the meaning given by section 8.\n\n> AS/CA S043.1:2015 means the Australian Standard AS/CA S043.1:2015 – Requirements for Customer Equipment for connection to a metallic local loop interface of a Telecommunications Network – Part 1: General, published by Communications Alliance Ltd in January 2015.\n\nNote: The AS/CA S043.1:2015 standard can be accessed free of charge on Communications Alliance Ltd’s website at www.commsalliance.com.au.\n\nAS/CA S043.2:2016 means the Australian Standard AS/CA S043.2:2016 – Requirements for Customer Equipment for connection to a metallic local loop interface of a Telecommunications Network – Part 2: Broadband, published by Communications Alliance Ltd in August 2016.\n\nNote: The AS/CA S043.2:2016 standard can be accessed free of charge on Communications Alliance Ltd’s website at www.commsalliance.com.au.\n\n> AS/CA S043.3:2015 means the Australian Standard AS/CA S043.3:2015 – Requirements for Customer Equipment for connection to a metallic local loop interface of a Telecommunications Network – Part 3: DC, low frequency AC and voiceband, published by Communications Alliance Ltd in January 2015.\n\nNote: The AS/CA S043.3:2015 standard can be accessed free of charge on Communications Alliance Ltd’s website at www.commsalliance.com.au.\n\n> AS/CA S043.3 item means an item of customer equipment that is used, or is to be used, for connection to a telecommunications network via a metallic local loop interface that includes 1 or more of the following capabilities:\n\n> (a) DC power feeding or signalling;\n\n> (b) operation in the low frequency AC band below 300 Hz;\n\n> (c) operation in the voice frequency band;\n\n(d) operation above the voice frequency band up to 20 kHz.\n\n> AS/CA transition period has the meaning given by section 10.\n\n> broadband capability means the ability of an item of customer equipment to transmit a signal that uses a frequency above 20 kHz.\n\ndate a modified item is made has the meaning given by section 12.\n\nincluded in a class of items has the meaning given by section 11.\n\nitem means a thing that is customer equipment to which this technical standard applies, as provided by section 13, and includes a modified item.\n\n> metallic local loop means a metallic twisted pair communications wire in a carrier’s telecommunications network that provides connectivity between a customer’s premises and equipment in the telecommunications network.\n\nmetallic local loop interface means an interface for an electrical connection to a metallic local loop.\n\nmodified item means an item that has been modified, by or on behalf of the manufacturer or importer of the item, after the item was manufactured or imported and, for the avoidance of doubt, is the item as modified.\n\n    original item has the meaning given by subsection 11(1).\n    original modified item has the meaning given by subsection 11(2).\n\n> replacement standard, in relation to an applicable AS/CA Standard, means a standard published by Communications Alliance Ltd that replaces the applicable AS/CA Standard.\n\n> voice frequency band means the range of frequencies from 300 Hz to 3.4 kHz (inclusive).\n\n> Note: A number of expressions used in this instrument have the same meaning as in the Act, including:\n\n> Note: carrier (see section 7);\n\n> Note: customer equipment (see sections 7 and 21);\n\n> Note: emergency call service (see section 7);\n\n> Note: facility (see section 7 and subsection 374(2));\n\n> Note: import (see section 7);\n\n> Note: manufacturer or importer of customer equipment or customer cabling (see section 406A);\n\n> Note: standard telephone service (see section 7);\n\n> Note: telecommunications network (see section 7 and subsection 374(1)).\n\n7 References to other legislative instruments\n\n  In this technical standard, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to any other legislative instrument is a reference to that other legislative instrument as in force from time to time.\n\n> Note: For references to Commonwealth Acts, see section 10 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901; and see also subsection 13(1) of the Legislation Act 2003 for the application of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 to legislative instruments. All Commonwealth Acts and legislative instruments are registered on the Federal Register of Legislation. The Federal Register of Legislation may be accessed free of charge at www.legislation.gov.au.\n\n8 Applicable AS/CA Standard\n\nIn this technical standard, each of the following is an applicable AS/CA Standard in relation to an item:\n\n1.  in all cases – AS/CA S043.1:2015;\n2.  if the item has broadband capability – AS/CA S043.2:2016;\n3.  if the item is an AS/CA S043.3 item – AS/CA S043.3:2015.\n\n9 ACMA transition period\n\nIn this technical standard, if an applicable AS/CA Standard is amended or replaced, there is an ACMA transition period in relation to the applicable AS/CA Standard, being:\n\n(a) in a case where there is an AS/CA transition period for the amendment or replacement of the applicable AS/CA Standard – a period that is the same as the AS/CA transition period; or\n\n(b) in any other case – a period of two years commencing on the day the applicable AS/CA Standard is amended or replaced.\n\n> Note 1 See subsections 15(3) and 16(5) in relation to an ACMA transition period.\n\n> Note 2 If the applicable AS/CA Standard is amended or replaced during an ACMA transition period, there is another ACMA transition period which overlaps with the first-mentioned transition period. See subsections 15(4) and 16(6) in relation to overlapping ACMA transition periods.\n\n10 AS/CA transition period\n\n(1) If:\n\n1.  an amendment instrument or a replacement standard, in relation to an applicable AS/CA Standard, determines arrangements to deal with any issues of a transitional nature that may arise as a result of the amendment or replacement of the applicable AS/CA Standard;\n2.  the arrangements are for a specified period commencing on the day the applicable AS/CA Standard is amended or replaced; and\n3.  the arrangements have the effect of allowing a relevant item to comply with:\n\n> (i) the applicable AS/CA Standard as in force immediately before the commencement of the specified period; or\n\n> (ii) the applicable AS/CA Standard, or the replacement standard, as in force at the commencement of the specified period;\n\nthe specified period is an AS/CA transition period for the amendment or replacement of the applicable AS/CA Standard, for the purposes of section 9.\n\n(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), each of the following is a relevant item:\n\n(a) an item that is manufactured in Australia or imported during the specified period;\n\n(b) a modified item that is made in Australia or imported during the specified period.\n\n11 Class of items\n\n(1) In this technical standard:\n\n> (a) an item (other than a modified item) is included in a class of items if the item:\n\n> (i) is identical to each other item of the class (irrespective of when the items were manufactured or imported); and\n\n> (ii) has the same manufacturer or importer as each other item; and\n\n> (b) the original item, in relation to the class of items, is the item of the class that was the first to be manufactured in Australia or imported.\n\n(2) In this technical standard:\n\n> (a) a modified item is included in a class of items if:\n\n> (i) the modification which resulted in that item is identical to the modification which resulted in each other item of the class (irrespective of when the items were so modified);\n\n> (ii) the modified item is, in all other respects, identical to each other item (irrespective of when the items were manufactured or imported); and\n\n> (iii) the modified item has the same manufacturer or importer as each other item; and\n\n> (b) the original modified item, in relation to the class of items, is the item of the class that was the first to be so modified in Australia.\n\n12 Date a modified item is made\n\nIn this technical standard, a reference to the date a modified item is made is a reference to the date of making of the modification which results in that item.\n\nPart 3 – Application and requirements\n\n13 Application\n\nThis technical standard applies to customer equipment that is used, or is to be used, for connection to a telecommunications network via a metallic local loop interface.\n\nNote: In this technical standard, a reference to a telecommunications network is a reference to a telecommunications network in Australia that is operated by a carrier or carriage service provider (see section 7 and subsection 374(1) of the Act).\n\n14 Requirements\n\n(1) An item (other than a modified item) must meet the requirements of subsection 15(1), (2), (3) or (4) in relation to each applicable AS/CA Standard.\n\n(2) A modified item must meet the requirements of subsection 16(1), (2), (3), (5) or (6) in relation to each applicable AS/CA Standard.\n\n15 Standard for items (other than modified items)\n\n1.  If an item complies with an applicable AS/CA Standard as in force on the date the item is manufactured in Australia or imported, the item meets the requirements of this subsection in relation to the applicable AS/CA Standard.\n2.  If an item:\n\n1.  is included in a class of items; and\n2.  complies with an applicable AS/CA Standard as in force on the date the original item of the class was manufactured in Australia or imported;\n\nthe first-mentioned item meets the requirements of this subsection in relation to the applicable AS/CA Standard.\n\n1.  If:\n\n1.  there is an ACMA transition period in relation to an applicable AS/CA Standard;\n2.  an item is manufactured in Australia or imported during the transition period; and\n3.  the item complies with:\n\n1.  the applicable AS/CA Standard as in force immediately before the commencement of the transition period; or\n\n1.  the applicable AS/CA Standard, or a replacement standard, as in force at the commencement of the transition period;\n\nthe item meets the requirements of this subsection in relation to the applicable AS/CA Standard.\n\n1.  If:\n\n1.  an ACMA transition period overlaps with another ACMA transition period in relation to an applicable AS/CA Standard;\n2.  an item is manufactured in Australia or imported during the period of overlap; and\n3.  the item complies with:\n\n1.  the applicable AS/CA Standard as in force immediately before the commencement of the earliest of those transition periods; or\n2.  the applicable AS/CA Standard, or a replacement standard, as in force at the commencement of any one of those transition periods;\n\nthe item meets the requirements of this subsection in relation to the applicable AS/CA Standard.\n\n16 Standard for modified items\n\n1.  If a modified item complies with an applicable AS/CA Standard as in force on the date that the modified item is made in Australia, the modified item meets the requirements of this subsection in relation to the applicable AS/CA Standard.\n2.  If a modified item:\n\n1.  is included in a class of items; and\n2.  complies with an applicable AS/CA Standard as in force on the date the original modified item of the class was made in Australia;\n\nthe first-mentioned item meets the requirements of this subsection in relation to the applicable AS/CA Standard.\n\n(3) If:\n\n(a) a modified item would have been included in a class of items but for the making of the modification which resulted in that item; and\n\n(b) the modification is not material and, in particular, the modified item complies with the applicable AS/CA Standard as in force on the date the original item of the class was made in Australia or imported;\n\nthe first-mentioned item meets the requirements of this subsection in relation to the applicable AS/CA Standard.\n\n(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), the modification is material if the modification would or could reasonably be expected to affect whether the modified item complies with the AS/CA Standard as in force on the date the original item of the class was made in Australia or imported.\n\n(5) If:\n\n1.  there is an ACMA transition period in relation to an applicable AS/CA Standard;\n2.  a modified item is made in Australia during the transition period; and\n3.  the modified item complies with:\n\n1.  the applicable AS/CA Standard as in force immediately before the commencement of the transition period; or\n2.  the applicable AS/CA Standard, or a replacement standard, as in force at the commencement of the transition period;\n\nthe modified item meets the requirements of this subsection in relation to the applicable AS/CA Standard.\n\n(6) If:\n\n1.  an ACMA transition period overlaps with another ACMA transition period in relation to an applicable AS/CA Standard;\n2.  a modified item is made in Australia during the period of overlap; and\n3.  the modified item complies with:\n\n1.  the applicable AS/CA Standard as in force immediately before the commencement of the earliest of those transition periods; or\n2.  the applicable AS/CA Standard, or a replacement standard, as in force at the commencement of any one of those transition periods;\n\nthe modified item meets the requirements of this subsection in relation to the applicable AS/CA Standard.\n\nPart 4 – Savings and transitional arrangements\n\n17 Items manufactured, imported or modified before commencement\n\n(1) If an item (other than a modified item):\n\n1.  was manufactured or imported before the commencement of this technical standard; and\n2.  the item complies with the Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Equipment for connection to a metallic local loop interface of a Telecommunications Network – AS/CA S043) 2015 as in force immediately before the commencement of this technical standard;\n\nthe item is taken to comply with this technical standard.\n\n(2) If a modified item:\n\n1.  was made in Australia before the commencement of this technical standard; and\n2.  the modified item complies with the Telecommunications Technical Standard (Requirements for Customer Equipment for connection to a metallic local loop interface of a Telecommunications Network – AS/CA S043) 2015 as in force immediately before the commencement of this technical standard;\n\nthe modified item is taken to comply with this technical standard.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This 2025 technical standard principally preserves the original scope: it continues to apply to customer equipment connecting to a metallic local loop and requires compliance with Communications Alliance AS/CA S043 parts (see sections 13 and 8). The instrument mainly updates and re-states the mandatory linkage to the AS/CA parts, clarifies rules for modified items and classes, and formalises transition arrangements (sections 9–16), while repealing the 2015 instrument (section 4). It does not materially broaden the categories of equipment covered beyond the prior standard; changes are procedural and clarificatory rather than a substantive expansion of scope."},"complexity_factors":["~20 defined terms in section 6 (multiple AS/CA references, item/modification terminology, transition terms)","Cross-references to three external AS/CA standards (AS/CA S043.1:2015, S043.2:2016, S043.3:2015) with version‑dependent applicability (section 8)","Separate and parallel compliance regimes for original items vs modified items (sections 15–16)","Class-of-items construct requiring identity and common manufacturer/importer rules, plus definitions of original/original modified item (section 11)","Dual transition regimes: AS/CA transition periods (industry-set) and ACMA default transition periods, including rules for overlapping periods (sections 9–10, 15(3)–(4), 16(5)–(6))","Savings and grandfathering for pre-commencement manufactured/imported/modified items (section 17)","Reliance on external instruments (amendments or replacement standards and amendment instruments prepared by Communications Alliance) — introduces operational complexity in tracking current applicable versions (sections 8–10)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- Replaces the 2015 technical standard and sets mandatory technical requirements for customer equipment that connects to a metallic local loop (the copper twisted-pair connection between a premises and a carrier’s network) (see repeal, section 4; application, section 13).\n- Requires that such customer equipment (including equipment with broadband capability and certain DC/voiceband devices) comply with specified Communications Alliance AS/CA standards (AS/CA S043.1:2015 always; AS/CA S043.2:2016 if the item has broadband capability; AS/CA S043.3:2015 for items with DC, low-frequency AC or voiceband functions) (section 8; definitions in section 6).\n- Distinguishes between: original items (manufactured or imported) and modified items (those altered after manufacture/import) and sets separate compliance rules for each (sections 6, 11–12, 15–16).\n- Allows transitional arrangements when an applicable AS/CA standard is amended or replaced: the instrument recognises AS/CA transition periods set by the industry body (Communications Alliance) and establishes a default two‑year ACMA transition period where the industry instrument does not specify one (sections 9–10). Overlapping transition periods are accommodated (sections 9(2); 15(4); 16(6)).\n- Contains savings provisions that treat equipment compliant with the old (2015) standard as compliant with this 2025 standard where such equipment was manufactured, imported or modified before commencement (section 17).\n- Commences on 30 March 2025 (section 2).\n\n**Who this affects**\n\n- Manufacturers and importers of customer equipment intended to connect to a metallic local loop: they must ensure devices meet the referenced AS/CA standards at the relevant manufacture/import or modification date (sections 6, 13–16).\n- Parties who modify equipment (on behalf of a manufacturer/importer): modified items are treated separately and have specific compliance tests (sections 11–12, 16).\n- Carriers and network operators: the standard aims to protect the network and establish interoperability expectations (objects, section 5), and they are the parties who will expect compliant equipment on their metallic local loops.\n- Test houses, conformity assessors and compliance teams: they will need to apply the AS/CA standards and manage transition timing for certificates and declarations.\n\n**Why it matters (stated purposes and how those are implemented)**\n\n- Stated objectives are to protect network integrity, health and safety of people who operate or use the network, ensure emergency-call access, and ensure interoperability for standard telephone service (section 5). These are implemented by making compliance with technical AS/CA standards mandatory for covered customer equipment (sections 8, 14–16).\n\n**Practical effects, incentives and who pays**\n\n- Manufacturers/importers pay the direct costs: testing, design changes, certification and record-keeping required to show compliance with the AS/CA standards. Compliance is assessed at the date the item is manufactured/imported (or the date a modification is made) (sections 15–16).\n- The Communications Alliance (industry body) decides the detailed technical requirements by publishing or amending AS/CA standards; the ACMA (regulator) makes this instrument that references those standards and enforces compliance (sections 6, 8, 9–10).\n- Transitional relief (industry-specified AS/CA transition periods or a default two-year ACMA transition period) reduces immediate compliance costs when a standard changes, but requires manufacturers to track timing and applicable versions (sections 9–10, 15–16).\n\n**Trade-offs, implementation risks and common compliance issues**\n\n- Trade-off: stricter technical controls support network safety and interoperability but raise compliance costs and potentially slow new product introductions (sections 5, 8, 14–16).\n- Dependency on external documents: the instrument relies on AS/CA standards published by Communications Alliance. Decisions about technical detail sit with that body rather than in this instrument; manufacturers must follow those external documents (section 8).\n- Ambiguity risk: terms like what constitutes a “material” modification (section 16(4)) require judgment and may produce disputes over whether a modified item must meet the latest standard or can rely on the original baseline.\n- Administrative burden: keeping track of classes of items, original vs original modified items, overlapping transition periods, and the relevant date for compliance increases compliance complexity for manufacturers and importers (sections 11–12, 9–10, 15–16).\n\n**Concrete behavioural changes the instrument induces**\n\n- Manufacturers/importers will either certify products to the referenced AS/CA standards at time of manufacture/import or, for modified products, at time of modification (sections 15–16).\n- Where standards change, manufacturers may choose to rely on transition periods (industry or ACMA default) to continue manufacturing/importing under the earlier standard for the permitted period (sections 9–10, 15–16).\n- Suppliers may standardise product lines into classes to enable reliance on the original item’s compliance for identical items (section 11).\n\n**Implementation and enforcement**\n\n- The ACMA enforces compliance under subsection 376(1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997 by making this technical standard (section 3). The instrument delegates detailed technical specification to Communications Alliance standards (section 8).\n- Items manufactured or imported before commencement that complied with the 2015 standard are treated as compliant with this standard, reducing immediate enforcement action against existing stock (section 17).\n\n**Key sections to consult when applying this standard**\n\n- Objects and policy aims: section 5.\n- Coverage (which equipment is covered): section 13.\n- Which AS/CA standards apply: section 8 and definitions in section 6.\n- Transition timing and how to treat amended/replaced AS/CA standards: sections 9–10.\n- Compliance rules for original and modified items: sections 15–16.\n- Savings for pre‑commencement items: section 17.\n\n(References in parentheses indicate the relevant sections of the instrument.)"},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a straightforward re-enactment and update of the 2015 technical standard. The scope remains tightly focused on customer equipment connecting to metallic local loop interfaces (copper phone lines). While the structure has been modernised and transition arrangements clarified, the fundamental regulatory scope—safety, network integrity, emergency calling, and interoperability for copper-connected devices—has not expanded beyond the original 2015 intent."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple nested conditional pathways for compliance (sections 15 and 16 each contain 4-6 alternative compliance routes)","Dual transition period systems (ACMA transition period vs AS/CA transition period in sections 9-10) with overlapping period handling","Complex class-based compliance system requiring tracking of 'original items' and 'original modified items' across manufacturing timelines","Materiality test for modifications (section 16(3)-(4)) requiring assessment of whether changes 'would or could reasonably be expected to affect' compliance","Extensive cross-referencing to external industry standards (AS/CA S043.1, S043.2, S043.3) which are not reproduced in the instrument","17 defined terms in section 6, several with recursive or cross-referential definitions","Different compliance triggers based on four distinct dates: manufacture date, import date, modification date, and class original date"],"plain_english_summary":"This law updates Australia’s safety and technical rules for devices that plug into copper phone lines, replacing the prior 2015 rules. It requires manufacturers, importers, businesses that modify equipment, and carriers to meet industry standards so networks and people are protected, emergency calls work, and devices interoperate. It operates by referencing three Communications Alliance standards, preserves already‑compliant equipment, and provides transition and class‑compliance rules for changes."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/telecommunications-requirements-for-customer-equipment-for-connection-to-a-metallic-local-loop-inter","history":"/api/acts/telecommunications-requirements-for-customer-equipment-for-connection-to-a-metallic-local-loop-inter/history","analysis":"/api/acts/telecommunications-requirements-for-customer-equipment-for-connection-to-a-metallic-local-loop-inter/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/telecommunications-requirements-for-customer-equipment-for-connection-to-a-metallic-local-loop-inter/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/telecommunications-requirements-for-customer-equipment-for-connection-to-a-metallic-local-loop-inter/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/telecommunications-requirements-for-customer-equipment-for-connection-to-a-metallic-local-loop-inter/documents"}}