Telephone Regulations (Amendment) (Provisional)

Overview

The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 were enacted in 1909 by the Governor-General in Council to address the need for immediate operational amendments concerning telephone lines not connected with exchanges. These regulations were introduced due to the urgency of updating the existing framework to accommodate new technological developments and services, particularly in the context of fire alarm systems. The Post and Telegraph Act 1901, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, aimed to regulate the postal and telegraph services across the nation, ensuring efficient and reliable communication infrastructure. The policy objective behind these provisional regulations was to provide a swift and effective means of adapting to new demands without the delay typically associated with formal legislative processes, thereby facilitating the integration of modern communication technologies into the national framework.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, particularly those pertaining to Part XII of the Telephone Regulations concerning telephone lines not connected with exchanges, apply to any entity or individual requiring the use of special lead-covered metallic circuit cables for fire alarm purposes. These regulations outline the financial obligations and conditions for such services, establishing a fee structure based on the number of conductors in the cables and their respective lengths. The geographic scope of these regulations is national, as they are enacted under the Commonwealth of Australia's authority. Notably, these regulations extend their application through the provision of specific charges and operational terms, which include a mandatory minimum contract period of six years. Exclusions or exemptions from these charges are not explicitly detailed within the given text, leaving it to be understood that the outlined fees apply universally unless otherwise specified by the Act. The inclusion of these provisions as Provisional Regulations underscores the urgency and immediate operational necessity as declared by the Governor-General in accordance with the Federal Executive Council's advice.

Key Provisions

The amended Regulation 80 under the Telephone Regulations, specifically concerning telephone lines not connected with exchanges, introduces new provisions regarding the provision of conductors in special lead-covered metallic circuit cables for Fire Alarm purposes. According to the new clause (2a) inserted between clauses (2) and (3), these cables will be provided by the Postmaster-General. This service requires the payment of specific charges annually in advance for a minimum term of six years. The charges are structured based on the number of conductors in each cable and the length of the circuit. For example, for cables with one conductor, the charge is £3 10 shillings 0 pence per quarter-mile up to one mile and £1 5 shillings 0 pence per quarter-mile beyond one mile. For cables with two conductors, the charge is £2 0 shillings 0 pence per quarter-mile up to one mile and £1 0 shillings 0 pence per quarter-mile beyond one mile. For cables with three or four conductors, the charge is £1 5 shillings 0 pence per quarter-mile up to one mile and £1 2 shillings 6 pence per quarter-mile beyond one mile. For cables with five to eight conductors, the charge is £1 0 shillings 0 pence per quarter-mile up to one mile and £1 0 shillings 0 pence per quarter-mile beyond one mile. Each cable will be charged separately, and the length of the cables will not be aggregated. Under these regulations, entities or individuals seeking to use special lead-covered metallic circuit cables for Fire Alarm purposes must comply with several obligations. They must connect the cables from the building wall to the nearest point in connection with existing underground or aerial cables. Payment must be made annually in advance for a term of at least six years, as specified by the charges outlined in the new clause. Additionally, each cable is charged separately, regardless of the total length, and the charges for conductors in existing cables are regulated separately. The regulations do not explicitly mention offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches. However, given the nature of the regulatory framework, any failure to comply with the payment terms or other specified obligations may result in the cessation of service or legal action by the Postmaster-General. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with such statutory regulations could potentially lead to legal repercussions under the broader provisions of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 or other applicable laws.