ENG-1961 — Page 304

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COMMUNICATIONS

Close liaison was maintained between the Division and the Hong Kong Communications Board in all matters affecting the internal and external telecommunications of the Colony.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Telegraph and Radio Services. The rapid growth of the telex service, which provides a fast means of direct, two-way, subscriber- to-subscriber communication in printed messages, was one of the major achievements of the Hong Kong Branch of Cable and Wireless, Limited. Among their other developments during 1961 were the conversion of the telegraph circuits to 5-unit working, which improved the speed of handling both inward and outward traffic, and the introduction of various automatic correction devices, which improved the accuracy of transmission. By the end of the year plans were well advanced for the construction of an additional transmitting station.

Cable and Wireless activities in the field of telecommunication include world-wide telegraph, telex and radio-telephone services; radiotelegraph and radio-telephone services with ships; photo- telegram service with certain countries; VHF harbourphone service with ships in Hong Kong Harbour; meteorological broadcasts; news broadcasts; internal telegram service throughout the Colony; printergram service for telex or teleprinter subscribers; and deskfax facsimile service for use principally by local hotels.

Wireless circuits are leased to airlines and other commercial concerns. Cable and Wireless are also responsible for the technical maintenance of Government broadcasting, aeradio and meteoro- logical radio services and of the VHF communications of a number of Government departments where the maintenance is not undertaken by the Post Office wireless division.

A direct telex circuit was opened with Taipei and through Hong Kong, Taiwan is now linked with other parts of the world. Com- munication with the Dominican Republic was also added to this world-wide telex link.

Radiotelephone service was extended to Kuching in Sarawak and to Suva in Fiji.

Telephones. The telephone service in the Colony is provided by Hong Kong Telephone Company Limited, a public company