Government Files

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  PCM Equipment

  • Period: 18/3/1969 - 11/2/1974
  • Microfilm and File Reference: TAS324/ 06-004-E

  
  

  Pulse code modulation (PCM) system was first introduced in the junction circuits between Changi and Katong telephone exchanges by the Singapore Telephone Board (STB) in April 1968 as a pilot scheme . Its success led STB to decide on the extension of the PCM. A tender for supply of five-system of PCM equipment was awarded to the lowest bidder in July 1969 .
  
  An information report on another tender for the supply of 100-system of PCM equipment was presented to the STB Board in April 1971. The report explained various advantages of using PCM equipment including use of a combination of laying physical junction cables with PCM equipment, reducing the need to increase manpower resources to install junction cables, reduction in the construction of underground ducts or pipes for laying of junction cables, and improvement of transmission capacity and signal quality .
  
  The Board approved the recommendation to award a tender for supply of 100-system PCM equipment to the lowest bidder in August 1971 .

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  Report On The Introduction Of Electronic Exchanges To Singapore

  • Period : 20/7/1974 - 26/8/1974
  • Microfilm and File Reference: TAS364/ CP-162-102

  
  

  The file contains mainly a study report relating to the introduction of electronic telephone exchanges in Singapore.
  
  The Singapore Telephone Board (STB) appointed a Special Study Committee (chaired by the late Dr Tay Eng Soon, a STB Board Member) in January 1973 to study various technical and strategic issues relating to stored programme control (SPC) electronic telephone exchanges.
  
  The Committee submitted a report on "The Introduction of Electronic Exchanges to Singapore" to the 6th TAS Board Meeting held in September 1974. The report recommended that an early introduction of SPC electronic exchanges into the telephone network was desirable to ensure that the growth would be in the direction of SPC technology. The advantages of increased productivity and improved customer services would then be maximised.

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  Electronic Exchanges Stored Programme Control

  • Period: 21/9/72 - 21/11/75
  • Microfilm and File Reference: TAS364/ EG-64-001

  
  

  As part of the plan to develop the competency in planning and managing the development project on new generation of telephone exchanges based on the stored programme control (SPC) electronic exchange technology, TAS appointed a team of three engineers to study the SPC tender specification documents in detail and arranged a programme for them to visit an overseas telecommunication administration in mid-February 1975 for a period of six weeks. Discussions were held with foreign telecommunications experts to discuss SPC tender specification, and seek advice on some technical details .
  
  The Steering Committee on SPC Development submitted a paper on "Introduction of Two Pilot SPC Exchanges" to the TAS Board in April 1975 seeking the Board's final approval for the purchase of two pilot SPC exchanges basing on the final negotiated prices submitted by two manufacturers .
  
  The Manager (Switching Planning Department), TAS submitted to the SPC Management Committee in May 1975 a paper on "Study of problems involved in the implementation of the two pilot SPC exchanges to be installed at Queenstown and Paya Lebar" for approval of the recommendations including negotiation with suppliers on technical and non-technical aspects, manpower including selection/ recruitment of staff, and training requirements.

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  SPC - Matters Arising From Authority Papers/ Decisions Taken

  • Period: 10/11/1972 - 9/10/1976
  • Microfilm and File Reference: TAS361/ EG-D1-09-01

  
  

  At the Singapore Telephone Board (STB) Board Meeting held in January 1973, the Board decided that a Special Study Committee (chaired by the late Dr Tay Eng Soon, a Board Member) be appointed to study various technical and strategic issues relating to stored programme control (SPC) telephone exchanges .
  
  The Committee submitted a report on "Introduction of Electronic Exchanges to Singapore" to the TAS Board Meeting in September 1974 . The Board accepted the findings that only ESS were adaptable to rapid growth and had the flexibility to incorporate a wide range of services, and that major telephone administrations overseas had decided to introduce these exchanges in their networks. The Board also approved in principle the introduction of SPC ESS exchanges to the TAS telephone network.
  
  TAS submitted a paper on "Strategy for the Implementation of SPC Exchanges" in May 1976 to the Board for consideration and a follow-up paper on the same subject in July 1976 . The follow-up paper recommended that the proposed alternative of 400,000 lines (with an option of an additional 200,000 lines) was considered to be most suitable for inclusion in the SPC exchange tender specifications.

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  Stored Programme Control

  • Period: 26/08/1976 - 29/12/1976
  • Microfilm and File Reference: TAS519/ GM-E-8-75 Vol 1

  
  

  The file contains mainly consultancy reports pertaining to the stored programme control (SPC) telephone exchange project.
  
  Two overseas consultants submitted their joint report on "Analysis and Recommendation Report" relating to the introduction of SPC system to the local Singapore telephone network to TAS in October 1976. Another local consulting company submitted a progress report on "Study of SPC Switching" (total 87 pages) to TAS in November 1976 .
  
  In December 1976, the Regional Representative of United Nations Development Programme forwarded a copy of a report by an ITU Senior Expert on "Drafting of SPC Exchange Specifications for TAS - February to September 1976" to the Permanent Secretary (PS) (Revenue Division), Ministry of Finance . In response, TAS informed PS (Revenue Division) that the ITU Senior Expert had made significant contribution to the preparation of the SPC specifications for Singapore .

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  Push-Button Standardisation

  • Period: 06/07/1979 - 09/11/1979
  • Microfilm and File Reference: TAS402/ ZAD-D1-30-02-49

  
  

  The file contains records pertaining to push-button telephone standardisation programme.
  
  An article titled "From rotary-dial to push-button for better communications" was published in the September 1979 issue of the Telecoms Hello in-house news magazine as a pull-out supplement . The article provided some insight into the programme including rationale, the strategy for implementation of the programme, and policies on provision of standard push-button telephone instrument, special telephone equipment and maintenance of the telephone equipment owned or rented by customers.

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  Push-Button Telephone Service

  • Period: 10/11/1980 - 22/6/1982
  • Microfilm and File Reference: TAS434/ TS-S5-05 Vol 8 (Conf)

  
  

  The file contains records relating to push-button telephone service.
  
  After completion of push-button telephone replacement exercises at Eunos Crescent/ Aljunied Crescent areas and Pipit Road/ Circuit Road areas, Director (Customer Service) submitted a paper on "Observation and Recommendations - a post-mortem of the 'push-button telephones for all' project" in January 1980 highlighting recommendations for General Manager's approval .

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  Data Transmission

  • Period: 20/10/1967 - 08/09/1971
  • Microfilm and File Reference: TAS211/ DTSE-9118 Vol 1

  
  

  The file contains mainly information relating to data transmission over the telephone network which was designed to carry voice communications.
  
  As the provision of data transmission over international telephone channels required some modification and addition of equipment such as delay equalisers, and telephone switchboard which were specially adapted to handle data calls, the Telecommunications Department sought approval of Permanent Secretary (Economic Development Division) in February 1971 to utilise funds available for the purchase of the delay equalisers and telephone switchboards required for the provision of data transmission service to Hong Kong .
  
  Telecommunications Department subsequently formulated an outline of a plan for the implementation of data transmission on international telephone circuits to Hong Kong, Japan and Australia .

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  Data Transmission

  • Period: 03/09/1971 - 02/08/1972
  • Microfilm and File Reference: TAS211/ DTSE-9118 Vol 2

  
  

  The file contains information relating to the provision of data transmission service.
  
  An International Telecommunication Union (ITU) technical expert submitted a proposal titled "Data Development Plan" to TAS in October 1971 which compiled and summarized recent studies and discussions on the introduction of an international switched data service. The plan included some facilities to be added to existing telephone switchboards to provide data transmission through the national and international telephone networks up to the speed of 1200 bauds (i.e. bits per second). A summary test result indicated that a public Datel 600 bauds service could be offered between London and Singapore. A further short test would be arranged for the purpose of extending connections over respective domestic networks . TAS expressed interest in the setting up of an International Datel Test Centre (IDTC) in Singapore, and sought advice from the UK administration for the list of test equipment required for use in Singapore IDTC .

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  Special Services - Telepac (Computer Access) Services

  • Period: 27/06/1978 - 30/06/1981
  • Microfilm and File Reference: TAS402/ ZAD-D1-30-02-35-C

  
  

  The file contains records relating to Telepac service, a remote computer access service which facilitated subscribers in Singapore to have direct access to over 200 data processing computers and data bases in the United States (US) through data transmission using packet switching network.
  
  A paper on Telepac service provided some background information on the packet switching service to be established in Singapore initially through Radio Corporation of America (RCA), a US International Record Carrier (IRC) who operated Remote Global Computer Access Service in the US. Connections between subscribers in Singapore and the remote computing centres and data bases in the US would be via a communication computer located in Singapore, the US IRC and the US domestic packet-switched network of TYMNET (which was a service name of Tymnet Incorproated in the US).
  
  TAS issued a press release and an Authority Instruction (for TAS staff) in October 1978 on the introduction of Telepac service between Singapore and the USA with effect from 30 September 1978.

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  Packet Switching Service

  • Period: 26/08/1980 - 02/02/1982
  • Microfilm and File Reference: TAS402/ ZAD-D1-30-02-35-G (1)

  
  

  The file contains information pertaining to packet switching (Telepac) service, particularly on works order flow.
  
  A write-up on "Public Data Communication Network" briefly explained pros and cons of data communication via telephone network, and the need for a dedicated network for data communication thus the introduction of packet switching network in Singapore to meet the high rate of growth of information flow and the rapid trend towards computerisation and distributed machine intelligence.
  
  A packet switching network configuration in the write-up illustrated the connectivity that could be chosen by subscribers to access to local/ overseas host computers, through the Singapore Packet Switching System (PSS) by telephone dial-up, leased circuits or telex connections.