Crossword Genius

Related to, when allowed to speak to on the telephone (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

connected

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'related to' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

'allowed to speak to on the telephone' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'on' is found in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'when' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for connected that I've seen before include "Affiliated, associated" , "Linked, related" , "Joined or linked together" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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