Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to regulate the operation of postal and telegraph services across the nation. To refine and update these regulations, the Post and Telegraph (Amendment) Regulations 1914 were introduced, which included amendments to the Telephone Regulations of 1913. The policy objective of these amendments was to clarify the costs and charges associated with subscriber alterations and removals of telephone instruments within the same network, ensuring that customers are informed of their financial obligations when making such changes. This regulatory update was made to address the need for a more detailed and transparent fee structure, thereby protecting both the service provider and the subscriber.

Scope and Application

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913 pertains specifically to the costs associated with the removal and alteration of telephone services within the same network, as well as changes to telephone apparatus and exchange numbers. This applies to subscribers who request these changes and alterations, and it is contingent upon the subscriber's rental remaining unchanged as a result of these modifications. The costs are delineated based on the specific nature of the change, such as the location of the telephone instrument or the amount of internal wiring required. The regulation also addresses the additional charges for travel costs incurred during the execution of these changes, provided they exceed 25 per cent of the relevant charge. This regulation operates under the Commonwealth jurisdiction, impacting all subscribers within the national network governed by the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913. The amended regulation comes into effect on the 27th day of June, 1914.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of this amended regulation (Statutory Rules 1914, No. 64) revolve around the charges for relocating or modifying a subscriber's telephone service. Specifically, Regulation 21 (1)(a) dictates that if a subscriber requests their telephone to be moved to another address or altered in some way within the same network, they must pay the associated costs unless their rental increases due to the move or alteration. Regulation 21 (1)(b) outlines a scale of charges for different types of alterations, such as changing the apparatus, relocating the telephone instrument, or reversing the positions of main and extension sets. Regulation 21 (1)(c) further stipulates that if travel costs exceed 25% of the specified charges, the subscriber must cover the additional travel expenses. The regulation imposes clear obligations on subscribers, requiring them to bear the cost of relocating or modifying their telephone service unless their rental increases as a result of these changes. The subscriber must also cover any travel costs that exceed 25% of the specified charges. The regulation sets out a detailed fee structure, ensuring subscribers are aware of the financial implications of requesting changes to their service. Breaches of these provisions could result in civil or administrative penalties, although the specific consequences are not detailed in the regulation. The regulation's primary focus is on establishing clear financial responsibilities for subscribers when they request changes to their telephone services. It does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, but it is reasonable to assume that failing to pay the specified charges could lead to enforcement actions by the relevant authorities.