An analysis of the factors that influence the planning and provision of a telephone service, with special reference to the situation in Malta

Abstract

The object of this report is to analyse the factors which affect the provision of a national telephone service. A telephone service does not grow at a uniform rate but at varying rates which depend primarily on the prevailing national economic conditions. It is therefore necessary to discover the correlation between national economic conditions and the growth in telephone demand" in order to be in a position to forecast demand. It will be seen later that for planning purposes twenty year forecasts of demand are required; and an overall forecast of demand at the national level not sufficient because the planner has to base his calculations on the behaviour of demand in individual towns and villages. National forecasts are required to plan the broad allocation of resources. Local forecasts are important because for economic reasons, certain types of plant just to be provided in instalments of 20 years ( other types in instalments of 5 years ) Local forecasts are required also for the planning and site of exchanges, for the provision of junctions between exchanges and for the determination of the global numbering scheme. The main object of the planner is to minimise idle capital investment, and at the same time provide an exceptional service. [...]