asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that the present charge for installing telephones in rural areas is so excessive as to debar householders from availing themselves of that essential service, and, in view of the desirability of attracting the rural community to provide themselves with telephones, he will consider the advisability of substantially reducing the present costs for installation, rental and call charges.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Installations in Rural Areas.
The standard rentals— £6 10s. a year for a "business" line and £5 a year for a "private residence" line (plus 5 per cent. emergency increase in both cases)—are charged to both rural and city subscribers, except in the case of rural exchanges with a very small number of subscribers where it is necessary to charge higher rentals because the revenue derived from standard rentals would be insufficient to cover the cost of providing service. In such cases the rentals charged are based on the cost of providing service within a radius of one mile from the exchange. The cost of lines, equipment, etc., for the distance in excess of one mile and up to three miles is borne by the Department.
No charge is made for installation. Charges for local and trunk calls are based on the distance of the calls and are of general application.
I regret that in existing conditions I am unable to consider any reduction in the existing charges.