506 BELL SYSTEM TECHNICAL JOURNAL 



present time. The circuits which will form the connecting link 

 between the subscriber and the terminals of the overseas circuits 

 must have such transmission characteristics as to provide for satis- 

 factory operation of the complete connection, including the overseas 

 circuit and the continental extensions at both ends. In one respect 

 this will impose requirements more severe than necessary where 

 continental service alone is in question. We refer to the velocity of 

 transmission which determines the elapsed time between the speaking 

 of a word at one end of a circuit and its reception at the other end. 

 Losses of power and electrical distortions in circuits may, within 

 limits, be compensated for but time once lost in the propagation of 

 the conversation over the circuit cannot be regained. 



Equally important is the closer coordination of operating methods 

 and commercial practices in so far as they affect intercontinental 

 communications. It is natural that continental telephone networks 

 developing more or less independently should represent somewhat 

 different solutions of the operating and commercial problems involved 

 in giving telephone service. Intercontinental service brings new 

 problems and requires the development of new operating methods 

 and new commercial practices designed to simplify and expedite the 

 handling of these connections. 



In the closer cooperation between telephone administrations and 

 the consideration of their joint problem which comes with the develop- 

 ment of intercontinental telephone service, it is increasingly important 

 that they have commonly accepted methods of measuring and of 

 expressing all of the quantities affecting the types and grade of service 

 to be given. The International Advisory Committee on Long Distance 

 Telephony (The C. C. I.) which has been active in facilitating the 

 cooperation of European administrations in the improvement of 

 international telephony in Europe, has included in its prograhi the 

 development of internationally accepted terms and units which will 

 be of help to the nations of the world in their rendering of interconti- 

 nental service. 



The commercial success of an intercontinental telephone service 

 depends upon the existence at its terminals of wire networks by 

 means of which large numbers of telephone subscribers can be given 

 connection to the intercontinental circuits. The ultimate development 

 of a really universal service depends, therefore, in part on the creation 

 of large national or continental wire telephone networks in the areas 

 where these do not now exist. It is only in so far as this takes place 

 that it will become practical to realize world-wide telephony. 



As world-wide telephony overcomes these obstacles and develops 



