Post_Office_1973-1974 — Page 22

89. Nine new Private Automatic Branch Exchanges and four Private Automatic Exchanges were completed during the year, and planning is proceeding for a further 45 PABX and PAX installations including some large systems. A number of projects for the extension or improvement of existing systems were also completed during the year and others are under action.

Technical Services

90. The Department provides advisory, installation and mainte- nance services for a variety of telecommunications and electronic systems and equipment used by Government Departments. Engineering projects included public address, radio distribution, paging, closed circuit tele- vision, tape recording, language laboratory and electro-medical. In all 166 projects were handled during the year and 35 installations were completed, including a new paging system for Queen Elizabeth Hospital and 8 public address systems. Some 1,900 maintenance jobs were carried out on a total commitment of 1,700 items of 280 different types for 23 Departments. A major overhaul was successfully com- pleted on the Waterworks telemetry equipment.

Advisory Services

91. A sub-division of the Department has been established to evaluate and plan major telecommunication systems for Government Departments. The sub-division also undertakes studies and makes rec- ommendations concerning the public telecommunications services being provided in Hong Kong.

92. In the broadcasting field, a master television broadcasting frequency plan was developed to permit the operation of up to six television channels in the Colony. Subsequently technical evaluation of tenders for the provision of television services was undertaken and continued co-ordination of the operations of Licencees in the establish- ment of the new services has been effected through the Television Technical Co-ordinating Committee. Studies were made of the require- ments for VHF sound broadcasting services. Technical specifications have also been drawn up for Broadcast Relay Systems.

93. Extensive communication networks providing a broad range of facilities for government departments, including the Fire Services, New Territories Administration, Prisons, Public Works and Marine Depart- ments were planned.

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