Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1907, No. 74, introduced amendments to the Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901. This legislative instrument, enacted by the Governor-General in Council, aimed to address and update the regulatory framework governing the operation and charges associated with telephone services. The amendments sought to refine the costs for additional apparatus, such as extra pairs of cords and plugs for Private Branch Exchange Switchboards, and introduced specific rates for the use of telephone trunk lines for press telegrams. The policy objective was to provide clear and updated guidelines on service charges and operational standards to facilitate the efficient and fair use of telephone services across the Commonwealth.

Scope and Application

The amended Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 apply to the operation and management of telephone exchanges and lines, including the provision of extra apparatus, junction and trunk lines, and press rates for specific services. The regulations affect both the Commonwealth and the states and territories, as they pertain to the national telecommunications infrastructure. The amendments specify the charges for extra apparatus such as cords, plugs, and bells for Private Branch Exchange Switchboards, and clarify the conditions under which certain lines are considered junction lines. Additionally, the regulations provide specific press rates for conversations on telephone trunk lines used for press telegrams, with priority given to those paying full rates. The amended regulations also introduce charges for the use of public telegraph lines for time signalling purposes, except in cases where signals are used for determining longitude. The application of these regulations extends across the Commonwealth and is subject to changes through subordinate instruments as necessary.

Key Provisions

The amended Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, specifically Regulation 30, introduces new charges for extra apparatus at telephone exchanges. These include additional pairs of cords and plugs for Private Branch Exchange Switchboards, as well as various types of trembling bells with batteries and switches. For example, a 2-way switch with a 2-inch trembling bell will cost £0 2s 6d per pair, while a magneto extension bell with a gong not exceeding 3 inches in diameter will cost £0 2s 6d, and a bell with a gong over 3 inches but not exceeding 4 inches will cost £0 5s. These new charges are set out in the amended schedule to Regulation 30. The amended Regulation 51 under Part VI, which pertains to Telephone Junction and Trunk Lines, includes a provision that if the radial distance from a telephone exchange includes part of a town or municipality but not the principal post office, and the distance from the post office to the telephone exchange does not exceed the radial distance by more than half a mile, the line connecting the post office and the telephone exchange shall be considered a junction line. This clarification aims to ensure precise demarcation of junction lines in relation to the layout of towns and municipalities. Regulation 55, under the heading Press Rates, has been repealed and replaced with a new schedule for charges when telephone trunk lines are used for press telegrams. The new rates are based on the distance of the conversation, with rates ranging from sixpence for distances not exceeding 50 miles, to two shillings and one penny for distances not exceeding 300 miles. It is specified that conversations paid for at full rates will take precedence over those paid for at press rates. The amended Regulation 79 under Part XI, concerning Time Signals, introduces a charge for lines specially erected for time signalling purposes and specifies a charge of 1s. per minute or portion of a minute for the use of public telegraph lines for time signalling, except when the signals are required for determining longitude, in which case special arrangements will be made. These amendments aim to provide clear guidelines and charges for the use of telephone and telegraph lines for time signalling. The amended regulations impose specific charges for extra apparatus at telephone exchanges, delineate the criteria for junction lines in relation to town layouts, revise press rates for press telegrams on trunk lines, and introduce charges for the use of lines for time signalling. These regulations require entities and individuals using these services to be aware of the updated charges and criteria, ensuring compliance with the new provisions. Failure to comply with these updated regulations could potentially result in disputes over charges or service availability, as the regulations provide clear guidelines on what services are covered and at what cost.