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Subscriber Information and Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS AND IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS

Local Calls

Look up in the latest directory the Telephone number of the person to whom you wish to talk, and call the operator. The operator will answer with the word "NUMBER" and you should give your order slowly and distinctly by pronouncing the figures separately, for example, 751 shou1d be called seven-five-one.

When the operator repeats, be sure she has received the order correctly. The numbers five and nine sound very much alike over the telephone, and we ask our subscribers to use particular care when pronouncing these numbers.

If the desired line is in use, the operator will report "Line Busy."

If a person you are calling fails to answer within one half minute, the operator will ring a second time, but before so doing, she will ask "Have they answered?" This precaution is taken to prevent false ringing. The operator repeats this precaution again at the end of another half minute and then still failing to get an answer from the called station she will report "They don�t answer."

If you wish to attract the operator�s attention while waiting on the line, move the hook slowly up and down several times, or if your instrument is equipped with a crank, give the crank one short turn.

When you have finished talking, replace the receiver on the hook. If your telephone has a crank be sure to give the crank one short turn.

Answer promptly when you are called, as this is essential to good Service.

Operators are instructed to answer calls, and make connections only when numbers are given. This is important, since, with the complicated switching apparatus now in use, operators cannot pay any attention to calls for names, as often they do not know where to look for a line except by its number. If you cannot find the number, or if you desire any other information regarding numbers, etc., call "Information Operator."

Do not leave the telephone until you have finished, as the operator will disconnect if she finds no one using the line. Hold the receiver firmly to the ear and speak in an ordinary tone of voice as close to the transmitter as possible. Always return the receiver to its proper place after using it, otherwise the Central Office cannot call you, and the batteries will be so exhausted as to seriously impair your service.

LONG DISTANCE TOLL CALLS

Call the Local Operator in the usual way, and when she answers, ask for "Long Distance." You will then be connected with the Toll Operator. When the Toll Operator answers, give your own telephone number, and your own name, together with the number and name of the subscriber with whom you wish to speak. If you do not know the number, in the case of Long Distance Messages, the name of the subscriber will suffice. After obtaining the full information of your call the operator will say "I will call you" and you should replace the receiver on the hook until called.

Reports to person calling. In cases where delay is encountered completing a call, reports will be made by the Toll Operator at reasonable intervals. If a report is desired at any time call the Toll Operator and ask for it.

Calls may be reversed. In other words sent "Collect" if the person called agrees to pay the charges, but if the call is to be so sent the fact should be stated when the call is given to the Toll Operator. Charges cannot be reversed after the connection has once been established.

Whenever from any cause, a subscriber thinks a charge should not be made the facts must be reported within twenty-four hours to the Chief Operator, or no rebate can be allowed.

Subscribers are held responsible for all charges for Long Distance messages which originate from their telephones.

The Company furnishes its facilities for personal communication between parties. Repetition or assistance by operators will be permitted only when necessary to facilitate business, and then only upon request of the party and upon the distinct understanding that the Company assumes-no responsibility for errors.

No charge will be made for Long Distance Service, when a particular person is called for and cannot be found except the messenger service (if any) to look up the party. If however a firm or telephone is called without specifying any particular person wanted; and the connection is once established, the regular tariff rates will be charged. Messages are timed by automatic machinery, thus relieving the operator of the possibility of making mistakes in the charges.

Bills for Toll Service will be presented monthly for payment, and parties who do not pay their bills promptly are liable to be refused the use of toll lines.

When a party called for has no telephone, messages can often be sent out by messenger, for which a small extra charge is made, or a messenger will be sent to the address given to request the person desired, to go to the telephone, provided the party guarantees payment of messenger service. the telephone, provided the party calling guarantees payment of messenger service,

Rates will be quoted by the Toll Operator on request, and are for 3 minutes use of the toll lines in P. E. I. or to the mainland. Extra time in the same proportion per minute.

Twenty word written messages may be sent if desired, at regular rates.

GENERAL INFORMATION

We ask and expect courteous treatment for our operators, who are forbidden to directly receive any complaints from our subscribers, because all their time should be taken up with making connections.

All persons whether subscribers or not must pay for use of telephone at Public Pay Stations.

Subscribers are requested to refer those desiring the use of the telephone to the nearest Public Pay Station.

Do not use your telephone during a Lightning Storm. Calls will not be answered by the Central Office at such times.

The use of profane or improper language is strictly forbidden.

Subscribers will be held directly responsible for any damage done by users of the apparatus leased to them by the Company.

All bills for Exchange Service are payable strictly in advance.

Officials of the Company will be glad at any time to confer with Subscribers and advise them as to the best way to handle their telephone business, and assist them in getting the full benefit of the Company�s Service.

A cordial invitation is extended to subscribers to view the various Exchanges of the Company, and see the methods and apparatus used in supplying telephone service.

Subscribers requiring their telephone to be moved from one place to another will please give the Company a few days notice. beforehand. In many cases new wires have to be erected, and this cannot be done in a few hours. A reasonable charge will be made in all cases for moving telephones after first being placed.

Subscribers wishing telephones removed, are expected to give thirty days notice in writing, in accordance with their contract.

All orders for the removal of telephones, business changes, directory listing, etc., should be referred to the General Office, Charlottetown.

In mailing or delivering bills, we ordinarily use the business address, if any change is desired in your billing address, please notify us and we will give the matter prompt attention.

A service connection charge of 10 per cent of the annual rate (minimum $2.00) must accompany all contracts for service.

Please examine your listing in directory, and if any changes are desired write us your wishes.

Temporary Discontinuance of Service. When the Premises where the telephone (other than rural lines) is located are to be closed for any considerable period, the Company will allow a partial rebate on service charge for the period of such absence not, however to exceed 5 months in any one year contract, nor to apply to periods of less than one month. The Subscriber will be allowed to retain his instrument and number but the instrument must be disconnected, by disconnecting the line outside of the building. Request for such discontinuance of service must be made in writing ten days in advance of the date on which the discontinuance is desired.

Use of Instruments and Apparatus. The telephone instruments and apparatus furnished to subscribers shall be carefully used in accordance with the rules of the Company; shall not be removed from the subscriber�s premises, nor connected with any instruments or apparatus not furnished by the Company; shall be used by the subscriber, his agent, or employees only when engaged in his business, and shall not be used in any way in competition with the business conducted by the Company.

Residence and Business use. Residence Service contracts of the Company permit the use of the telephone for usual social and domestic purposes, but do not permit habitual use for business purposes, and any habitual use of residence service for business purposes will constitute a violation of any residence contract.

Short Term Service. To meet the requirements of applicants desiring unlimited telephone service for a period of less than a year, the Company has established "Short Term" rates. Subscribers having service under contracts drawn for a period of one year, who find it necessary to surrender their service within the initial year will be accorded the privilege of cancelling their contracts upon payment of the Company�s established rate, and attendant charges for short term service, for the period of service rendered.

Attachments to Instruments or Lines. The terms and conditions of service contracts prohibit the attachments to its apparatus or equipment of any instrument or appliance not furnished by the Company. The various devices on the market claimed to improve transmission, eliminate noise, destroy germs, etc., generally are of no real value, and the Company is obliged to remove them, where found, for the protection of its service.

Directory Errors. The Company while using all reasonable care in preparing its Directory will not be responsible for errors, or any failure to comply with a request for listing.

Conservative Use of Party Lines. Satisfactory service on party lines depends very largely upon the willingness of the joint users of such lines to co-operate with one another in their demand on the service. The Company accordingly respectively requests party line subscribers to limit their conversation to Five Minutes, when others wish to use the line, and to give immediate right of way in the case of urgent calls.

Rural Push Button Service. Other parties on the same lines are rung in the usual manner using the "Called" party�s code signals. To call "Central" it is necessary to press the push button when ringing. This button is located on the side of the instrument, near the receiver hook.

Where a number of subscribers are connected to the same line, it is necessary to call each subscriber with a different ring. To facilitate this a code has been devised so that these rings can be listed in numerals after the line number of the subscriber. For instance, if after a subscribers� name appears R5-22, this signifies that the subscriber is connected with Rural line number 5, ring two long, and two short rings.

Below is a table showing how these code rings are used, and they will be found quite simple, if it is remembered that for units give short rings, tens, give long rings, hundreds, short rings

1 _

51 __ __ __ __ __ _

2 _ _

110 _ __

3 _ _ _

111 _ __ _

4 _ _ _ _

112 _ __ _ _

5 _ _ _ _ _

113 _ __ _ _ _

6 _ _ _ _ _ _

114 _ __ _ _ _ _

11 __ _

120 _ __ __

12 __ _ _

121 _ __ __ _

13 __ _ _ _

122 _ __ __ _ _

14 __ _ _ _ _

123 _ __ __ _ _ _

15 __ _ _ _ _ _

130 _ __ __ __

21 __ __ _

131 _ __ __ __ _

22 __ __ _ _

132 _ __ __ __ _ _

23 __ __ _ _ _

140 _ __ __ __ __

24 __ __ _ _ _ _

141 _ __ __ __ __ _

31 __ __ __ _

150 _ __ __ __ __ __

32 __ __ __ _ _ _

210 _ _ __

33 __ __ __ _ _ _

211 _ _ __ _

41 __ __ __ __ _

212 _ _ __ _ _

Numbers may be changed. The telephone numbers of the subscribers� station or stations may be changed by the Company at any time, as the exigencies of its business may require.

The publishing by subscribers of their telephone numbers on stationery, etc., is against the advice of the Company, for the reason that occasional changes in numbers are unavoidable. The term "Telephone Connection" should be used. The advertising of a business in connection with residence telephone service is prohibited.

Service Criticism. The Company will appreciate as a special favor, reports of specific instances of unsatisfactory service at the time they occur. It is its desire that the service be kept at a high standard of efficiency, and such reports will enable the Company to remedy the difficulty, whether it be the result of an operating error or caused by some defect in the delicate and complicated mechanism of the telephone apparatus. Notify Chief Operator promptly of any service difficulty. In case of the same trouble occurring repeatedly report to the office of the Division Superintendent.

Albany

Hunter River

Orwell

Alberton

Kensington

Richmond

Bedeque

Milton

Rusticoville

Cardigan

Montague

Souris

Charlottetown

Morell

South Lake

Cornwall

Mount Stewart

Stanhope

Crapaud

Murray River

St. Peter's

Dunstaffnage

New Haven

Summerside

Eldon

New London

Tignish
Hillsboro O'Leary Tyne Valley

 

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Last Updated: 04/02/2004 4:48:40 AM
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