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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
licences. The number of broadcasting licences in force on 31st December was 64,486 with 721 other licences, compared with 58,737 with 532 other licences in 1956.
The Office conducts examinations for the Postmaster General's Certificate for Proficiency in Wireless Telegraphy, and undertakes the survey and inspection of ships' and aircraft wireless stations. Another function is the enforce- ment of the regulations made under the International Tele- communication Convention (Atlantic City, 1947) and the Hong Kong Telecommunications Ordinance.
A close liaison is maintained between the Hong Kong Communications Board, the Hong Kong Frequency Assign- ment Committee, and the Radio Licensing and Inspection Office on all matters affecting the Colony's internal and external telecommunications.
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TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Cable and Wireless Ltd. operate 16 high-speed wireless telegraph circuits working with all the major centres of the Far East and with Europe, and three modern-type duplex submarine cables connected to the Company's world-wide network of 142,500 miles of submarine cable.
The Company is responsible for all telegraph services between Hong Kong and overseas, for telegraph and radio- telephone services with ships at sea, and for VHF Harbor- phone service with ships anchored in the Port of Victoria. It also provides a service for internal telegrams throughout the Colony, and is responsible for the technical maintenance of the Colony's broadcasting and aeradio services, mete- orological radio services and most of the VHF communica- tions of various Government departments.
During the year a new commercial wireless telegraph service was opened with Okinawa, and there was an increase in the number of circuits leased to commercial firms.
Local firms continue to appreciate the advantage of having