Telephone Regulations (Amendment) (Provisional)

Overview

The Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1912, enacted on 8 October 1913, was introduced to address the need for updated regulations regarding telephone services. This legislative instrument was certified by the Governor-General in Council, acknowledging the urgency of the matter. The policy objective of this regulation was to facilitate efficient management of telephone exchanges by allowing joint subscriptions under the one exchange number for persons occupying the same building or private residence, while also ensuring that all associated costs and charges were clearly delineated and transparent. This Provisional Regulation was designed to come into immediate operation to address gaps in the existing regulatory framework and ensure the smooth functioning of telephone services during a period of significant technological advancement.

Scope and Application

The Provisional Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1912 pertains to the Telephone Regulations, specifically addressing the arrangements for multiple subscribers using a single telephone exchange number. It applies to persons who occupy offices within the same building or the same private residence, allowing them to jointly subscribe under one exchange number. The regulation imposes an additional annual fee of £1 per additional subscriber, beyond the standard rental rates. Furthermore, it requires the original subscriber to cover all charges associated with the line, though they may distribute these costs among subscribers as agreed. Additional instruments, such as party lines, extra instruments, or extension lines, are subject to the relevant rates stipulated in other regulations. The regulation applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia and comes into immediate operation as a provisional measure. Any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds are not explicitly stated within the text of this regulation, and the application may be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1912, specifically concerning Telephone Exchanges, are Regulation 24. This Regulation allows for persons occupying the same premises, such as a shared office or private residence, to jointly subscribe to a single telephone exchange number, with certain conditions (Reg. 24(1)). The fee for each additional subscriber is £1 per annum, in addition to the rental rates applicable for a single subscriber (Reg. 24(1)). The Regulation also specifies that the £1 fee covers the inclusion of the additional subscriber's name in the telephone directory (Reg. 24(2)). The original subscriber is responsible for all line charges but may apportion these charges to the additional subscriber as agreed (Reg. 24(3)). If additional telephone instruments are required, the subscribers must pay the prescribed rates for party lines, extra instruments, or extension lines, as applicable (Reg. 24(4)). The Act imposes several obligations on the parties involved. For instance, it mandates that if an additional subscriber wishes to discontinue the shared service, they must provide three months' notice (Reg. 24(1)). The original subscriber must pay all charges related to the telephone line but can negotiate with the additional subscriber regarding the division of these charges (Reg. 24(3)). Furthermore, the subscribers are responsible for any additional costs associated with obtaining extra telephone instruments, as outlined in the relevant regulations (Reg. 24(4)). The Regulation does not explicitly mention any offences, penalties, or specific civil or criminal consequences for breach. However, the requirement for a three months' notice for discontinuance of the service (Reg. 24(1)) implies that failure to comply with this notice period could result in continued obligations and payments for the original subscriber. Additionally, the necessity to pay all applicable charges, whether agreed upon or not, suggests that non-payment could lead to disputes or potential legal actions over the unpaid amounts. The regulation focuses more on the procedural and financial obligations rather than punitive measures.