Post-war and on to 1975 (continued)

As the rapid growth in trunk traffic began to outstrip the limits of ARM exchanges in the capital cities, it became necessary to look to the next generation of trunk exchanges using Stored Programme Control (SPC). Tenders were called in 1968 and an offer by STC Australia was accepted for an SPC exchange, designated 10C, designed by another member of the ITT group, the Bell Telephone Manufacturing Co. (BTM) of Belgium. A team of ten APO engineers under the leadership of J. O'Dwyer were resident in Belgium over the next three years, assisting BTM in the design of the software to provide Australia's required facilities, while STC was extensively involved in technology transfer before the first exchange was in service in Sydney in 1973. The system then extended progressively to other capitals.

Television came to Australia in 1956, somewhat later than in other technically advanced countries but then expanded rapidly with a million licensed receivers within three years, giving a stimulus to the Australian manufacturing industry. The first full-time long distance relay facility was provided in 1962, from Sydney to Canberra and in the following year a Sydney-Melbourne bearer was provided over the recently completed coaxial cable. Microwave radio systems were, however, to be the main method of TV relaying and a network was rapidly established to meet the combination of TV relaying and rapidly expanding telecommunications needs influenced by the move to STD.

National Television availability was developed through seven stages, beginning in Sydney and Melbourne and extending through other capitals and provincial centres until in stage seven, the practical limit was reached of using terrestrial methods for programme relaying. This stage used novel low cost techniques for programme relaying and very cost-effective transmission station designs. Sebire[42] has given an account of the approaches taken, including the provision of underground equipment shelters to provide satisfactory temperature conditions in areas such as Western Queensland.

22 Phase 7 TV ground equipment shelter

Generally, however, the broadband network developed along conventional lines and was based on overseas technology, but with a range of local initiatives and developments. Early systems were fully imported, but beginning around 1970 channelling, multiplexing and line transmission equipment were all developed and manufactured in Australia. While based on European fundamental designs, they were modified to accord with Australian standard practices, to provide standard test conditions and uniform approach to maintenance. Siemens and STC were the major firms involved. Table 6 sets out milestones in the development of the Australian Broadband communication network.

Table 6 Milestones in the development of the Australian Broadband Communications Network


Legend: S&H Siemens & Halske, STC Standard Telephones & Cables, GEC General Electric Company, NEC Nippon Electron Company, Tel Telettra, FGF Felton & Guilleaume Fernmeldean lagen, MM Magneti Marelli, GTE General Telephone & Electronics

Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering