Comtest has more than 10 years experience in assessing the compliance of GSM/3G Mobile Phones, Cellular Gateways, Fixed Cellular Terminals, Cellular Data Modems (GSM/GPRS/UMTS/HDPA) and Cellular Modules for the Australian market.  

Compliance for all cellular devices is controlled by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and they require all cellular devices with GSM, 2.5G data capabilities (GPRS, EDGE, etc) and 3G cellular interfaces to be A-ticked.

Cellular devices operating 2G, 2.5G (900MHz / 1800 MHz) & 3G must comply with A-tick Category A24, Category A53 and Division 4.5 of the Telecommunications Labelling Notice.

In Australia, the 3G cellular bands are:

• 850MHz (Band V);
• 900 MHz (Band VIII; and
• 2100MHz (Band I).

GSM Interface (2G & 2.5G) – category A24 of the TLN

Certification, testing and report to the following ACMA A-tick & Australian Standards for GSM products (2G & 2.5G) excluding Battery Charger:-

v     AS/ACIF S042.1 & AS/ACIF S042.3 - GSM Telecommunications Equipment (including Australian requirements)

v     AS/NZS 60950-1 – Safety of Information Technology Equipment (may apply depending on the product)

v     Additionally, AS/ACIF S002 applies for FXO ports and AS/ACIF S003 applies for FXS ports if fitted to cellular devices..

WCDMA, UMTS, HSPA (3G) – category A53 of the TLN

The ACMA classifies 3G Cellular products as Customer Equipment used in the supply of a PMTS (Public Mobile Telecommunications Service) – Category A53 of the ACMA Telecommunications Labelling Notice.

Certification, A-tick testing and reports to the following ACMA and Australian Standards for 3G Cellular products excluding Battery Charger is mandatory:-

v     AS/ACIF S042.1 & AS/CA S042.4   - IMT-2000 Telecommunications equipment (including Australian requirements).

v     AS/NZS 60950-1 – Safety of Information Technology Equipment (may apply depending on the product).

Comtest can perform all the necessary testing and arrange for the written permission from an IMT-2000 Network Manager.

GSM / GPRS / 3G Devices fitted with an A-ticked Cellular Module.

 All Cellular devices and equipment fitted GSM / GPRS / 3G modules must comply with the requirements of the ACMA and be A-ticked.

This means there are requirements in addition to the GSM Module compliance that must be assessed.

The Australian compliance requirements for devices and equipment that are fitted with A-ticked cellular modules relates to General operation to  AS/ACIF S042.1, Safety to AS/NZS 60950.1, EMC and EMR/SAR compliance for the final device.

For the suppliers of final products, this means that testing of the device and equipment is significantly reduced.

All cellular devices must also comply with EMC and EMR/SAR (Human Exposure to RF Electromagnetic Radiation) requirements before being labelled with the A-tick and being supplied.  

Comtest can assist with all these compliance issues for Cellular Devices.