Telephone Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Regulations Under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, made on 27th September 1920, represent amendments to the existing Telephone Regulations, 1913, and aim to update the charges for various classes of telephone services. These regulations, coming into effect on 1st October 1920, were enacted by Sir William Hill Irvine, Deputy of the Governor-General, with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, to address the need for revised pricing structures in the evolving telecommunications landscape of the time. The objective was to ensure that the charges for telephone services were reflective of the growing network and subscriber base, while also providing clarity on the charges applicable to different categories of services. The Postmaster-General, George H. Wise, is identified as the responsible authority for the implementation of these regulations.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1920, No. 173, under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, introduces amendments to the Telephone Regulations, 1913, specifically modifying the charges for telephone services. The regulations apply to subscribers of telephone services within the Commonwealth of Australia, encompassing both individual subscribers and businesses connected to telephone exchanges. These amendments are relevant to all subscribers connected to telephone networks and exchanges, including those on exclusive services, two-party services, and three or more party services. The geographic scope of these regulations is nationwide, affecting all telephone services provided under the Commonwealth's jurisdiction. There are specific exclusions, such as extensions not being included in the count of subscribers' lines for charge purposes, and certain calls made by authorised officers on official business being exempt from charges. The new charges are contingent on the size of the network, with varying rates for different radii and subscriber counts, and are subject to a one-year delay in adjustment if there are significant changes in the number of connected lines. Additionally, subscribers already in agreement at the regulation's commencement will not immediately incur new charges, with the transition phased according to the terms of their agreements or the date of their first account rendered post-regulation commencement.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of these Regulations, as outlined in Regulation 5, establish the charges for telephone services, including ground rent, exclusive service, and call charges, all detailed according to the radius of the network and the number of subscribers' lines connected. For instance, the annual ground rent varies based on the radius of the network, with different rates applied for areas within two miles, three to six miles, and so forth. Additionally, call charges are set at one penny for networks with 1 to 600 subscribers' lines and one penny farthing for those with 601 or more subscribers' lines. These charges do not apply to services in operation at the commencement of the Regulation until specific dates, as outlined in sub-regulation (2a). Furthermore, the call charges specified in sub-regulation (2) do not apply until 1 October 1920. These Regulations impose specific obligations on the Postmaster-General, including the provision and maintenance of necessary exchange equipment, subscriber’s lines up to two miles in length, one telephone wall-set per subscriber, and a copy of the Telephone List for each telephone provided. The Postmaster-General is also responsible for calculating mileage radially from the telephone exchange. Furthermore, the Regulations mandate that any changes in ground rent or call charges will not be implemented until certain dates, ensuring that existing agreements and ongoing services are not abruptly affected. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences stated within these Regulations for breach of the provisions. However, the failure to adhere to the specified charges and timelines could potentially lead to disputes or legal actions based on breach of contract or failure to comply with regulatory requirements. The Regulations are clear in their stipulations but do not outline specific penalties for non-compliance, implying that any legal recourse would be based on the broader legislative framework governing postal and telegraph services.