Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1923, No. 117, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, were enacted to address and update the pricing and regulatory framework for telephone services in Australia. Issued by the Governor-General in Council, these regulations came into operation on 1 July 1923 and aimed to streamline and modernise the charges associated with telephone line installations and services, particularly by introducing a tiered pricing structure based on the length of the lines and the number of subscribers. The policy objective, as inferred from the amendments, was to ensure fair and structured pricing for telephone services while reflecting the costs incurred by the Department in maintaining and extending the network infrastructure.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1923, No. 117, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, establish specific regulations concerning the pricing and services of the telephone system as operated by the Department of the Postmaster-General. These regulations apply to all entities and individuals who use or are serviced by the Department's telephone lines, particularly focusing on the extra mileage charges for lines exceeding two miles in radial length. The regulations outline different charges for exclusive and party line services, with varying rates depending on the number of subscribers and the type of service. Geographically, these regulations apply across the Commonwealth of Australia, providing a consistent framework for telephone services throughout the nation. The regulations also include amendments to previous rules, modifying specific charges and terminology to reflect updated rates and standards, thereby ensuring that the legislation remains relevant and accurate in governing the telecommunications sector.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916 (C1923L00117) provide specific provisions regarding the extra mileage charges for telephone lines and amendments to other regulations. Regulation 7 introduces extra mileage charges for lines exceeding two miles in radial length, with different rates applied based on the size of the network (sections 1 and 3). For lines connecting to exchanges or networks with 601 or more subscribers, an additional 10 shillings per annum per quarter mile is charged. For those connecting to networks with less than 601 subscribers, the charge is 7 shillings and sixpence per annum per quarter mile. Regulation 80 is amended to revise the charges for certain services, reducing the previous amounts (section 2). Similarly, Regulation 96 is amended to change the annual charges for lines extending beyond the two-mile radius, with different rates based on the type of circuit and the size of the network (section 3). Lastly, Regulation 102 is amended to modify the charges for certain services, reducing the previous amounts (section 4). These regulations impose obligations on both the Department and the subscribers to adhere to the specified charges for telephone services. The Department must charge the appropriate extra mileage fees based on the length of the line and the size of the network. Subscribers, in turn, are required to pay these charges as outlined in the regulations. Failure to comply with these provisions could lead to disputes over billing and service charges, potentially resulting in legal action. The legislation does not explicitly state any specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breach of these regulations. However, breaches of statutory obligations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916 could potentially lead to civil or criminal consequences, depending on the nature and extent of the breach. In general, failure to comply with statutory obligations could result in legal actions such as fines, injunctions, or other remedies as prescribed by law. The precise penalties would depend on the specific circumstances and the applicable laws at the time of the breach.