Radio age research, manufacturing, communications, broadcasting, television (1941)

Overseas Message Volume Reaches New High A record volume of overseas message traffic was handled in 1955 by RCA Communications, Inc., through its world-wide network of 84 direct radiotelegraph cir- cuits, Thompson H. Mitchell, President, announced in a year-end statement. He said that the past year was the most successful in RCA's 36 years of radiotelegraph operations. "More than 7,300,000 overseas telegrams, totaling 188,000,000 words, were carried by our radio circuits," said Mr. Mitchell. "A record number of 104,000 inter- national TEX (Teleprinter Exchange Service) calls also were handled. "During the year, an expenditure of more than $2,000,000 was made for plant additions, improving and broadening the scope of international communica- tions facilities. Unlike the early days of radio when the bulk of the company's investment was in transmitters and receivers, present-day plant expansion is greatest in the area of terminal operating equipment. This is a direcr result of RCA's continuing efforts to improve the speed of its overseas telegraph services by cutting mes- sage processing time in terminal offices to a minimum." TEX Service Is Expanded Mr. Mitchell said that throughout 1955 there was a continuation of the pioneering and development of RCA's overseas TEX service, which enables subscribers in the United States to engage in direct customer-to- customer teletypewriter communication with their asso- ciates abroad. "In the field of international communications," he stated, "the progress of RCA's TEX service during the past year easily stands as the most significant achieve- ment of the year. In only five years, TEX has grown from a concept to a practical, well-established service that is now available between the United States and twenty-one overseas countries. "New TEX circuits were opened to Ireland, Puerto Rico, Tunisia, French Morocco and the Philippines. Also connected were the previously separate Pacific and Atlantic TEX circuits by establishing a trans-continental TEX link between RCA's overseas operating terminals in New York and San Francisco. "The interconnection of the two networks made possible for the first time two-way teletypewriter calls between trans-Atlantic points and TEX terminals in the Pacific. The TEX service likewise was made available much more extensively in the United States. "The speed with which RCA's correspondents around the globe are improving and developing the facilities to provide TEX service reflects its universal acceptance By the end of next year, the number of TEX channels in operation is expected to be almost double the size of our present network. "Sales of Leased Channel service to volume-users of overseas communications in 1955 increased forty per cent over the previous year," continued Mr. Mitchell "International airlines in particular have found that Leased Channel Service meets their needs for fast and reliable volume communications. We are proud to say that nearly all large international airlines are now using RCA leased channels." Neiv Radiophoto Circuits Established Mr. Mitchell said that stock brokers, commodity merchants, and other industrial organizations with in terests abroad have also become substantial users of Leased Channel Service. "In fact," he said, "every organization requiring a large volume of fast and eco- nomical teletype service is an actual or potential user." Mr. Mitchell reported that direct RCA radiophoto circuits were established during the year, linking New York with Brussels, Manila, Leopoldville and Taiwan. More than 4,300 spot news pictures, commercial docu- ments, and other graphic material were carried by the company's network of 45 international radiophoto cir- cuits in 1955. Overseas broadcasts totaling 3,000 hours were also handled last year by RCA's Program Transmission Service. This service is used predominantly by United States broadcasting companies for gathering "live" news reports from their foreign correspondents. The United Nations and Voice of America used these RCA facilities for beaming reports of UN. developments and news of America to all parts of the world. "The significant advances made by RCA Communi- cations, in 1955, are a direct result of the program begun by the company ten years ago to modernize completely its world-wide communications systems," Mr. Mitchell stated. "This pioneering program has im- proved both the speed and scope of RCA's radiotele- graph service, and has produced the newer subscriber services —- TEX and Leased Channels. "For these reasons, RCA has been able to anticipate and be ready in advance to meet the ever increasing communications requirements of the international busi- ness community, and the vitally important needs of the Government. Today, RCA is providing a wider variety of overseas radio services to more customers than at any time in its history." 28 RADIO AGE