Andrew, at 10:20 on Jun 01 1995, you wrote to Bill Grimsley...

BG> Dunno who told you that load of rubbish, but it is now, and always has been 
BG> explicitly illegal to connect non Austel-approved devices to the PSTN.  But 
BG> hey, don't just take my word for it - give Austel a call yourself.

AS> Suprisingly enough it was someone from austel, so it may depend 
AS> on who you talk to in there. 

Shouldn't make any difference.  The Telecommunications Act is quite
specific in this area.  Whoever you spoke with got it wrong, simple as
that.

AS> When I rang last year concerning warranty stuff, thats what they told me. 

You were either misinformed, or you misunderstood their reply.

AS> For the simple reason that because of the privatisation (this is my guess) 
AS> that they can't enforce people to use anything that is austel approved, 

They can actually (it's the LAW, Andrew), although they tend not to go out
of their way at the moment.  Word is that this may well soon change though.


AS> but as the person on the phone said, if someone doesn't use Austel approved 
AS> units then the warranty or repair to the line will not be covered this 
AS> means that if your phone is either struck by lightning or your phone line 
AS> developes problems you will not get insurance cover.... And the phone 
AS> company is obliged to charge you for the repairs to the line, thats what 
AS> they told me.... But also this was 12 months ago as well.

I think you'll find that he specifically meant "non rental"
equipment (not unapproved).  If your privately owned Austel approved device
damages the line, you are indeed theoretically liable for the cost of the
repair.  If your appliance is also unapproved by Austel (and they know
about it) you run the risk of being fined rather heavily (up to $12k) for
your trouble as well.

Regards, Bill
@EOT:

--- Msgedsq/2 3.10 alpha