Vol. 419 No. 9
101 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some payphones start charging the caller as soon as the telephone number has been dialled out; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
My attention has not previously been drawn to the problem referred to by the Deputy. As the Deputy may be aware my Department is responsible for type approval of terminal equipment, including payphones, to be connected to the public telecommunications networks. There are two main types of payphones approved by my Department.
One type relies on a metered pulse signal from the Telephone Exchange to commence charging. Such metered signals commence only after the called party has answered.
The other type of payphone, known as a "pay on answer" payphone, operates its own internal timing and charging arrangements and does not rely on the Telephone Exchange for a metered pulse. It will allow the caller to dial out without inserting any coins. Insertion of coins is required only when the called party answers and if no coins are inserted then the call is terminated. All such payphones clearly instruct the caller that no coins should be inserted until the called party answers. Premature insertion of coins will activate the timing and charging mechanism.
Approval of terminal equipment is based on specifications drawn up by my Department consistent with international recommendations. However in the light of the Deputy's question I will have the specifications reviewed by my Department to see if those parts dealing with instructions for use of the "pay on answer" phones are adequate.
