When Can I Use the General Channel?

Hi all,
I made a new character on "the other faction" and at level two I can't use /1, the general chat.
When can I use it?
And, while I'm at it, why can't is the general chat limited?
I made a new character on "the other faction" and at level two I can't use /1, the general chat.
When can I use it?
And, while I'm at it, why can't is the general chat limited?