Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1966 No. 22, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1961, were introduced to update and refine the regulations governing telephone services in Australia. Enacted by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations were designed to address specific issues and gaps in the existing regulatory framework concerning telephone usage and associated fees. One key objective was to standardise the calculation and rounding of fees for local calls and other charges, ensuring clarity and fairness in billing practices. This legislative instrument reflects the ongoing efforts to modernise and streamline the regulatory environment for telecommunications, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of the public and service providers.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1966 No. 22, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1961, primarily concern the amendment of the Telephone Regulations, with a focus on adjusting the fees for various telephone services and the rounding of charges. These Regulations apply to the Commonwealth of Australia and govern the conduct of telephone services, particularly the fees charged for local calls, accounts for calls and charges, extension telephones, calls at specified times, and trunk line calls. The regulations come into effect on 14 February 1966, and they specifically revise the rates and conditions for local call fees, rounding of charges, and the elimination of certain reductions for specific services. Subordinate instruments may further extend or restrict the application of these regulations, providing additional detail and clarification as needed.

Key Provisions

The statutory rules (C1966L00022) primarily focus on amending the Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1961, effective from February 14, 1966. Regulation 35 introduces a new fee structure for local calls, specifying that the fee is ten cents for every three effective local calls (section 35). Regulation 40 is amended to clarify how to handle fractions of a cent in calculating call charges, rounding down if the fraction is less than one-half of a cent and rounding up if it is one-half of a cent or more (section 40). Regulation 64 is modified to remove the provision allowing a one-third reduction in charges for a single wire circuit (section 64). Regulation 87a is updated to change the fee for calls at specified times from twice the local-call fee to a fixed seven cents (section 87a). Finally, Regulation 128 is altered to change the fee for trunk line calls from two pence to two cents (section 128). The regulations impose specific obligations on subscribers and the telecommunications provider. Subscribers must pay the newly defined fees for local calls, calls at specified times, and trunk line calls as outlined in the amended regulations. The telecommunications provider is required to calculate charges according to the new fee structure and provide accounts to subscribers that reflect these charges accurately, including the rounding of fractions of a cent as specified. The provider must also ensure that the updated fee information is correctly applied to all applicable calls. Breaches of these regulations, while not explicitly detailed in the text, could potentially lead to civil or administrative consequences. For example, failure to pay the correct fees as stipulated might result in disputes over service charges or penalties for incorrect billing. However, the specific penalties or consequences for non-compliance are not outlined in the text. It is important to note that the absence of explicit penalties does not preclude the possibility of enforcement actions under the broader framework of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1961.