91. In large measure these cases were caused by the increasing use of H.F. welding equipment by the plastics industry. As many as three cases of interference per day were reported as emanating from this
source.
Maintenance
92. Routine maintenance, acceptance tests and installation work were satisfactorily carried out during the year under review on Electro- Medical equipment and V.H.F. Radiotelephone and Public Address Systems for various Government departments.
Advice to Government Departments
93. This Department continues to proffer technical advice to Govern- ment departments on all matters relating to telecommunications, and to prepare specifications, call for tenders, examine and recommend as regards equipment.
94. Supervision of larger contracts still uncompleted, such as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital systems, continued.
Telephones
95. Internal telephone service is provided by the Hong Kong Tele- phone Company Limited, a Public Company operating under a franchise from the Hong Kong Government.
96. Radiotelephone service is available to most parts of the world in co-operation with Cable and Wireless Ltd.
97. The system is fully automatic and service is provided from eight major exchanges together with a number of satellite exchanges and comprised 145,179 telephones at 31st December, 1962. Expansion to meet the continual demand for service is continuing and exchange equipment to be housed in five new major exchange buildings, is either on order or in the process of installation.
98. Rentals are charged on a 'flat rate' basis of HK$300 per annum and HK$225 per annum for business and residential lines respectively. No charge is made for local calls except to and from the New Territories.
Other Communications
99. During the year 1962-63 the telecommunication services main- tained by Cable and Wireless Ltd. were further developed. Where necessary a brief report on each of the principal services is given below.
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