Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1913, enacted by the Australian Parliament, sought to regulate the provision of postal and telegraph services across the country. As part of the ongoing management of these services, the Post and Telegraph (Telephone) Regulations 1915, issued under the authority of the Governor-General, amended the Telephone Regulations 1913. These amendments introduced new provisions for the cost of relocating or altering telephone services within the same network. The policy objective of these amendments was to ensure that subscribers bear the actual costs incurred by the Department for such services, while also allowing for the Deputy Postmaster-General to adjust charges in certain circumstances. This legislative instrument aimed to provide clarity and fairness in the billing for telephone relocation and alteration services, reflecting the changing needs of subscribers and the operational requirements of the postal and telegraph services.

Scope and Application

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1913, as set out in Statutory Rules 1915, No. 269, applies to subscribers of telephone services within the network of the Postmaster-General's Department. These subscribers, whether individuals or entities, are subject to the specified costs for removals and alterations of their telephone apparatus, including the charges for labour and materials, depending on the complexity and distance of the alteration or removal. The regulation delineates specific costs for various types of alterations and movements of the telephone apparatus within or between premises, with a provision for the Deputy Postmaster-General to adjust these charges based on the circumstances. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, as it is an amendment to a Commonwealth Act. However, the application of these charges may be influenced by local conditions such as the type of telephone system in use (e.g., Block Distribution System) and the specific distances involved in the alterations or removals. The regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, but the discretionary power granted to the Deputy Postmaster-General suggests that exceptions may be made in certain cases. This regulatory amendment extends the application of the Post and Telegraph Act by providing detailed stipulations on the costs associated with subscriber-requested alterations and removals of telephone services.

Key Provisions

The amended regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1913, as detailed in Statutory Rules 1915, No. 269, primarily focuses on the costs and charges associated with the movement or alteration of telephone installations. Regulation 21(1)(a) stipulates that if a subscriber requests the removal of their telephone to a different address or position within the same network, they must bear the cost of this removal. The cost includes the actual labour expense plus the value of materials used for wiring the premises, starting from the first pole outside the subscriber’s premises, minus the value of any recoverable material from the former premises. If the Block Distribution System is in use, the cost is set at Ten shillings, plus the cost of refitting the instruments. Regulation 21(1)(b) outlines the charges for various alterations and removals of telephone equipment within the same premises. The charges depend on the nature and complexity of the alteration or removal, such as the change of apparatus, relocation of the telephone instrument or bells, and the reversal of positions of main and extension sets. There is also a charge for altering an Exchange number at the subscriber’s request, unless consecutive numbers are necessary for operational reasons, in which case no charge applies. Regulation 21(1)(c) further states that if the travel cost associated with executing a removal or alteration exceeds 25% of the appropriate charge, the subscriber must pay the additional amount that the travel cost exceeds this percentage. The obligations under these regulations fall primarily on the subscribers who request the removal or alteration of their telephone installations. They must ensure they are aware of and agree to the specified costs, which are detailed according to the nature and extent of the requested change. The Postmaster-General and the Department have the authority to enforce these charges, ensuring that subscribers are billed correctly and fairly according to the established scale. Subscribers must also be prepared to provide necessary information or approvals to facilitate these changes, such as consenting to the refitting of instruments or agreeing to the provision of consecutive Exchange numbers. Failure to comply with the stipulated charges and obligations could result in disputes or non-payment of fees, potentially leading to legal consequences. While the legislation does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, the enforcement of the charges is critical to maintaining the integrity of the service provided. In practice, non-payment or refusal to accept the outlined charges could lead to service disruptions or termination of the service, which would be detrimental to the subscriber. Therefore, it is essential for subscribers to adhere to the specified costs and terms to avoid any adverse outcomes.