Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1913, No. 223, amends the Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910 to introduce new provisions for Automatic Private Branch Telephones. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, these Regulations aim to regulate the installation and use of Automatic Private Branch Exchanges (PBX) within buildings, ensuring they connect with the Department's system. The policy objective is to standardise and formalise the terms and costs associated with such installations, ensuring clarity for both the Department and the subscribers. The Department will quote terms for installation based on the subscriber's requirements, bearing the cost of certain installations while subscribers cover other costs such as wiring within buildings, annual rentals for telephones and switchboards, and costs of electricity for operating the PBX. These Regulations come into effect on 23 August 1913, providing a structured approach to the integration of automatic telephone systems in private premises.

Scope and Application

The amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, specifically the Telephone Regulations, address the installation and operation of Automatic Private Branch Telephones (PBXs) within the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations apply to any person or entity seeking to install Automatic PBXs on their premises that connect with the Department’s system. The scope of these regulations includes the terms for the installation, costs, and responsibilities associated with such systems. The subscribers are responsible for the wiring within their premises, while the Department bears the cost of providing and installing exchange wires, switchboards, and telephones used within the building. Subscribers are also required to pay annual fees for each telephone and the switchboard, along with costs for electricity and outgoing calls. Additionally, subscribers must handle all calls to their PBX and ensure all connections and apparatus are approved by the Department. The regulations also provide a mechanism for integrating existing automatic systems into the Department’s system, subject to certain conditions and valuations. These regulations extend nationally as they are issued under the Commonwealth's authority, and there are no exclusions explicitly stated within the text.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910 outline specific provisions for the installation and operation of Automatic Private Branch Telephones (APBT) within buildings, connecting to the Department's system. Regulation 70a mandates that upon receiving applications from individuals or entities wishing to install APBTs, the Department will provide terms for meeting these requirements through automatic apparatus. Regulation 70b details the financial responsibilities and operational obligations associated with the installation and maintenance of these systems. The subscribers are required to cover the costs of wiring within the building to connect the telephones to the Private Branch Exchange (Regulation 70b(1)). Conversely, the Department will cover the expenses for providing and installing exchange wires, switchboards, and telephones throughout the building (Regulation 70b(2)). Subscribers must pay an annual fee for each connected telephone, in addition to a sum for the provision and maintenance of the calling device, and an annual rental for the switchboard based on the cost of providing and installing the switchboard and associated equipment (Regulation 70b(3)(a) and (b)). Other costs include the price of current for charging the battery to operate the Private Branch Exchange, fees for lines connecting the Private Branch Exchange to the Department's switchboard, and charges for all calls passing through the Department's exchange (Regulation 70b(3)(c) and (d)). Subscribers must agree to pay these charges for a minimum of three years, provide necessary attendance to handle incoming calls, and ensure all connections and apparatus are approved by the Department (Regulation 70b(4), (5), and (7)). Special cases where existing automatic systems not connected to the Department's systems are to be integrated are also covered, allowing the Department to take over suitable instruments at a valuation (Regulation 70b(7)). The obligations imposed by these Regulations are extensive, requiring subscribers to not only finance the internal wiring and maintenance of their APBT systems but also to ensure all equipment is approved by the Department. Subscribers must agree to pay the outlined fees for a minimum of three years, which includes the annual rental for the switchboard, the cost of current for charging the battery, and fees for all calls passing through the Department's exchange. They must also provide necessary attendance to handle incoming calls and ensure all connections and apparatus comply with the Department's standards. In cases where existing systems are to be integrated, subscribers must allow the Department to take over and value suitable instruments. Failure to meet these obligations could result in service disruptions or penalties. The Regulations do not explicitly state offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach. However, non-compliance with the financial obligations and operational requirements outlined in the Regulations could potentially lead to service termination or other administrative actions by the Department. While specific penalties are not detailed in the text, it is implied that adherence to the terms and conditions is necessary to maintain service and avoid any disruptions or additional costs. The absence of explicit penalties in the text may indicate that the Department retains the right to impose appropriate sanctions based on the nature and severity of the breach.