service is extended by radiotelephone and is available to most parts of the world.
72. The majority of subscribers are connected to four main exchanges, two of which are located in Victoria and two in Kowloon. Services to out-lying areas, including the New Territories, are provided by 12 automatic Satellite Exchanges ranging in size from 70 to 1,000 lines.
73. The number of Direct Exchange Lines working on the system is approximately 46,121 whilst the number of Extensions is 18,830 or a total of 65,667 telephones. The demand for telephone service increases year by year and the Telephone Company is engaged in large scale development plans to satisfy the increased demand. Several thousand lines of additional automatic equipment are under installation in existing Exchanges and a new Main Exchange of 12,000 lines, designed to serve the Western District of Victoria, is nearing completion and will be brought into service during the course of the year. Further development plans to satisfy the expected demand in future years are now in preparation.
74. Charges are among the lowest in the world, being HK$300 per annum for a business line and HK$225 per annum for a residential telephone, local calls being unlimited in number and free of charge.
Other Communications
75. Cable & Wireless Limited is responsible for all telegraph and radiotelephone services between Hong Kong and countries overseas, for telegraph and radiotelephone services with ships at sea, and for a V.H.F. service with ships anchored in Hong Kong harbour. In addition, they provide a service for internal tele- grams on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon, and in the New Territories.
76. The Company is also responsible for the technical maintenance and development of the Colony's broadcasting and aeradio services, meteorological radio services and the V.H.F. communications of various Government Departments.
77. The despatch, reception and relaying of telegrams is the Company's principal business. The number of telegrams handled, including those in transit, is approximately 3,000,000 a
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