TELEPHONE CHANGES

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28606, 7 June 1958, Page 10

TELEPHONE CHANGES

Developments In Britain [From the London Correspondent of “The Press”} LONDON, May 29. Telephone and telephone services are undergoing revolutionary changes in Britain under the encouragement of the British Post Office and various organisations. Not only are the two-tone colour schemes associated with modern cars going into new instruments, but.. what is described as Hi-fi reception will improve the calls. For New Zealand visitors to Britain new services being instituted, -whereby the dialing of easily remembered numbers gives recordings of the latest weather forecasts, concise bulletins of entertainment and activities for the day, as well as the state of the roads, should be the most appealing. Just as a 999 call is firmly associated with the police so is ASK 9211 becoming known as the entertainments commentary and WEA 2211 with the latest weather prophecy. Should a New Zealander wish to test his French or German, it is only necessary to dial ASK 9311 or 9411 and the information will be heard in those languages. This new service of the British Post Office not only gives a service to the British public and visitors but is proving a source of increased revenue. Unlike in New Zealand, where a flat rental is paid for telephones. British charges are based on the number of calls made.