Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1935, No. 96, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1934, addresses the need for amendments to the existing Telephone Regulations, specifically regarding the fees associated with privately constructed telephone lines that connect to the exchange. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, the regulation was introduced to adjust the financial arrangements for telephone services that extend beyond the initial setup. The policy objective behind this amendment is to refine the fee structure for additional points connected to a private line, ensuring that the charges are fair and reflective of the service provided. The regulation aims to balance the costs borne by the Department and the subscribers, providing a structured approach to managing telephone services that involve private infrastructure.

Scope and Application

The regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1934 applies to the provision of telephone services that involve privately constructed lines extending beyond a single point of communication with the exchange. The amendment particularly targets the fees associated with such services, providing a detailed framework for annual fees charged per additional communication point, with variations based on whether the points are located on the same property and rented by the same subscriber. The regulation imposes a charge of £1 per annum for each additional point unless the points are on the same property and rented by the same subscriber, in which case the fee is reduced to 10s. per additional point. The subscriber is responsible for all charges, and they are permitted one free entry in the telephone directory. The regulation also specifies that the fees cover the supply of a wall-pattern telephone, complete with batteries, for installation by the applicant at their own cost. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this legislation is nationwide, applying uniformly across the Commonwealth of Australia, and it is enforced through subordinate instruments, as indicated by the series of statutory rules and amendments that have progressively shaped the regulation since its inception in 1927.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules of 1935, No. 96, amend the Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1934. Specifically, Regulation 91 is revised to alter the fees charged for telephone services where a privately constructed portion of the line allows more than one point to communicate with the exchange. Regulation 91(f)(i) stipulates that for each additional point that can communicate with the exchange, an annual fee of £1 per annum is to be charged, unless sub-paragraph (ii) applies. Sub-paragraph (ii) specifies that if all points are located on the same property and rented by the same subscriber, the annual fee is reduced to 10 shillings per additional point, and the subscriber is responsible for all service charges. Additionally, the subscriber is allowed only one free entry in the telephone directory. Furthermore, the fees mentioned cover the supply of a wall-pattern telephone, complete with batteries, for each point, which must be installed by the applicant at their own expense. These regulations impose several obligations on the parties involved. The subscriber, who has more than one point communicating with the exchange, must pay the specified annual fees. If the points are located on the same property and rented by the same subscriber, they must also ensure that all charges are paid and that the entry in the telephone directory is in their name, with only one free entry permitted. Furthermore, the subscriber must take care of the installation of the telephone provided by the Department at their own cost. Failing to comply with these regulations could result in various consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, breaches of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1934 generally could lead to fines or other legal repercussions as determined by relevant authorities. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the regulatory framework governing telecommunications services during that period.