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• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T01049A002900110001-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 48
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 3, 2000
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: April 1, 1964
• Content Type: FORM

Analyst: MS/COM
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establishment of the Bloc-wide television network Intervision. Spon-
sored by the International Radiobroadcasting and Television Organization
(OIRT),* Intervision connects the television systems of the European
Satellites and the USSR and provides connections with Eurovision, the
Western European television network. Network operations began in 1960,
at which time the television systems of East Germany, Czechoslovakia,
Hungary, and Poland were linked through the use of temporary microwave
radio relay facilities. Since that year, coverage of the network has
grown steadily, and temporary connections subsequently have been re_-_:.:.
placed by fixed installations. In 1962 the USSR joined the network,
and Bloc-wide coverage was achieved early in 1963 when the television
systems of Bulgaria and Rumania were linked to the network.
The main network of arterial intra-Bloc and domestic com-
munications lines serves as the transmission base for the Intervision
network. These facilities (shown on the map, Figure lam) depict main
Intervision lines and border connecting points and provide some insight
into the coverage of the television systems of individual Satellite
countries. Because of the multipurpose nature of these new arterial
lines, it is not unreasonable to assume that the publicity given to
the establishment of the Intervision network, at least in its formative
years, served as a convenient facade to shield the development of a
strategic telecommunications resource base. In any case, the Bloc-
wide functioning of the network demonstrates that still another major
goal of OSS is nearing completion.
C. Major Problem Areas
As might be expected, problem areas exist that may prevent
the European Satellites from meeting all plans by 1965. Foremost
among these, and indeed the most pressing immediate problem, is the
shortage of carrier-frequency multiplex equipment. Such shortages
have existed since the inception of the program, and there is no
evidence to suggest that significant progress has been made during the
past 5 years toward the elimination of these shortages. The immediacy
of the problem stems from the buildup of intra-Bloc and national
arterial routes that has carried with it a massive requirement for
associated multiplex, equipment with capacities ranging from 12, 24,
and 60 telephone channels up through and including equipment capable
of handling 1,920.telephone channels. An adequate supply of such
equipment is absolutely necessary for the full or even partial func-
tioning of newly constructed lines as well as those scheduled for
completion by the end of 1965-
* OIRT is an agency organized and dominated by the Soviet Bloc that
effects cooperation among Bloc countries as well as some non-Bloc
countries in the field of radiobroadcasting and television.
** Following p. 4, above.
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Although 12-channel and 24-channel equipment appears to be
manufactured in sufficient quantities to meet new and recurring needs,
series production of equipment with a capacity of 60 or more channels
lags seriously. At present, East Germany, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia
are the only European Satellites producing 60-channel equipment, and
their output falls far short of minimal needs. Furthermore, production
of higher capacity equipment is nonexistent even though research for
the development of such equipment has been underway for a number of
years. Because of these failings, lines completed during the last
3 or 4 years are not being equipped to operate at levels approaching
designed capacities. The magnitude of this problem is indicated by
the fact that no completed Vesna-type microwave radio relay line in
the European Satellites is known to be passing telephone traffic.
Similarly the passage of telephone traffic over the nearly completed
4-tube coaxial cable route connecting Poland, Czechoslovakia, and East
Germany is wholly contingent on the ability of the USSR to supply as;;
sociated carrier equipment. In spite of the fact that a commitment
has been made in this regard, it is still not certain that it will be
met as scheduled.
The lag in the availability of carrier equipment is related to
continued difficulties in mastering techniques for the series produc-
tion of uniformly high-quality components, such as crystal filters and
metal contacts. Even when 60-channel equipment has been delivered and
installed, its performance has often failed to meet minimum standards.
An outstanding example of this is the V-60 and V-60S equipment pro-
duced by East Germany.
D. Emergence of a Bloc-Wide Strategic Telecommunications Complex
The end of 1965 will see the emergence of a Bloc-wide telecommuni-
cations complex that can promote more effectively the economic, military,
and political interests of the area. Although the arterial routes of
intra-Bloc and domestic communications lines in the European Satellites
will not be completed fully by the end of 1965, they will nevertheless
begin to function as an integrated network that is capable of handling
a broad array of conventional and specialized service. This vastly
improved level of communications will be achieved in spite of the dif-
ficulties that are being experienced in equippipg the new transmission
systems.
This improved capability will have a significant impact on the
posture of military communications. The new complex of arterial trans-
mission systems will contribute greatly toward closing the gap existing
between the modern offensive and defensive weapons systems deployed
throughout the European Satellites and the communications facilities
and services needed for their support. The increased reliability of
these facilities as well as their extensive geographic coverage (which
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includes all major areas of strategic military importance) assures
their use as the primary media for domestic and intra-Bloc military
traffic. Usage will encompass a wide field of strategic and tactical
military applications ranging from supporting long-distance command-
control structures to meeting national and Bloc air defense require-
ments. Gains made in automating domestic and intra-Bloc telephone and
telegraph networks also will serve to enhance the strategic military
significance of the emerging Bloc telecommunications system.
II. Plans and Prospects, 1966-75
In the early part of 1966-75 a push will be made to complete all
main intra-Bloc and domestic communications lines and to equip these
lines to their designed capacities. Some technological advances will
be made by the introduction of new transmission media, but the main
emphasis throughout the period will be on the expansion and automation
of exchange and subscriber facilities, both domestic and intra-Bloc.
A. Technological Developments
1. Cable and Microwave Radio Relay Facilities
With the exception of the introduction of some 1.5 mega-
cycle small-diameter coaxial cable and some more advanced microwave
radio relay systems operating in the 6-gigacycle range,* there will
be little over-all change in the basic composition of transmission
systems. The use of small-diameter coaxial cable will be confined
primarily to Poland and Czechoslovakia as feeder lines off main
coaxial cable and microwave radio relay routes. For the most part,
6-gigacycle microwave radio relay equipment will be used to upgrade
existing arterial microwave radio relay routes to meet additional
traffic needs. This new microwave equipment, which is currently
under development at the Budapest Telecommunications Research Insti-
tute, supposedly is capable of handling television traffic as well as
10,000 telephone channels. Reportedly it will use carrier equipment
with a capacity of 1,920 telephone channels per radiofrequency truck.
There are no known operational tropospheric scatter facili-
ties in the European Satellites. Moreover, there appears to be no
operational requirement for this medium for mainline communications
purposes even though East Germany is conducting feasibility studies
over five experimental circuits. These circuits connect the main
terminal at Kolberg (near East Berlin) with Dresden, Fichtelberg,
and Inselberg (all in East Germany) and with Poznan (in Poland) and
Prague (in Czechoslovakia).
* One gigacycle equals 1,000 megacycles.
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The applicability of tropospheric scatter to the communica-
tions requirements of the USSR is more apparent. Field tests of ex-
perimental tropospheric scatter systems in the USSR date back to 1957.
At that time a circuit was set up between Leningrad and Petrozavodsk,
a distance of 192 miles, using frequencies of 310 megacycles and 1,000
megacycles. The existence of a second experimental circuit between
Frunze and Przheval'sk, a distance of about 180 miles, was announced
in April 1958. More recently, official statements have alluded to
plans for the construction of tropospheric scatter facilities by 1965.
Evidence of operational systems, however, has been limited largely to
isolated reports of probable tropospheric scatter antennas south of
Moscow. In spite of this scarcity of information, it is believed that
the USSR has a program for the employment of tropospheric scatter
systems in the remote reaches of the Arctic and in Central and Eastern
Siberia to support the growing economic and military requirements of
these areas for high-capacity and reliable communications facilities.
3. Communications Satellites
Within the Soviet Bloc, only the USSR has the economic
and technical resources to undertake an independent program for the
establishment of a communications satellite system. There is, however,
little incentive for the USSR to undertake such a program, as the
major economic justification for a communications satellite is its
use on high-density transoceanic routes. Although Soviet transoceanic
communications requirements are growing through increased economic and
political contact with non-Bloc countries, they are nevertheless
minimal. Moreover, most of the high-density traffic requirements of
the USSR are with contiguous European Satellite countries. Internal
Soviet and intra-Bloc facilities that are planned for completion by
the end of 1965 will have sufficient capacity and potential for ex-
pansion-.to, satisfy these requirements at least through 1975.
The major alternative to establishing an independent com-
munications satellite system is cooperating with the West in worldwide
or regional systems. A joint venture with Western nations would be
particularly attractive because it would enable the USSR to apply the
scientific, engineering, and manufacturing resources necessary for an
independent system to other priority programs and to relate service
costs more realistically to service requirements.
Although Soviet intentions are unclear, there has been
some recent evidence to suggest interest in cooperation with the West.
If such cooperation materializes, access to Western communications
satellite systems probably would be made available to European Satel-
lite countries through Soviet ground terminals.
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4+. Electronic Switching Facilities
The European Satellites have tied long-run improvements in
the quality and quantity of telephone service to the eventual widespread
introduction of electronic telephone exchange (EATZ) equipment. The use
of such equipment, which has no moving contacts, would increase switch-
ing speeds as much as 1,000 times and would reduce greatly the instal-
lation, operating, and maintenance costs. Since 1961, East Germany,
under the aegis of OSS, has been coordinating a Bloc-wide effort to
develop EATZ equipment for operational introduction by 1970 or soon.
thereafter. Efforts to date, however, have not resulted in signifi-
cant progress because of problems in the mass production of low-cost,
reliable semiconductor components with an operating ifespan of 20 to
30 years. Once this bottleneck is overcome, series production of
equipment should move ahead. Significant quantities of such equipment,
however, probably will not be available for operational use until 1975.
B. Completion of a Modern Telecommunications Resource Base
In their attempt to complete a modern telecommunications resource
base by the end of 1975, the European Satellites will be faced with an
expanding requirement for investment funds and equipment. The comple-
tion of new transmission systems soon after 1965 will not terminate the
need for large capital outlays.* Rather, it will signify the end of one
stage in the plan for the development of telecommunications and the
beginning of another more intensified stage -- that of expanding tele-
phone, telegraph, and data exchange and subscriber facilities so as to
exploit the expanded channel capacities of new domestic and intra-Bloc
networks. In countries such as Poland and Czechoslovakia, for example,
plans for 1960-80 provide for the rapid expansion of all telecommunica-
tions services, including a major program for installing 5 million more
telephones in each country. Given a minimum estimated investment cost
of $200 for each additional telephone subscriber line, capital outlays
in each country for telephone facilities alone would approximate $1 bil-
lion for the 20-year period. This level of investment, even when con-
sidered on an annual basis of $50 million, coupled with investments
involved in enlarging other telecommunications services, will consti-
tute a heavy demand on the financial and economic resources of these
countries for telecommunications.
Based on Soviet investment costs, 1 route-mile of operational 4-tube
coaxial cable costs about $20,000, and 1 route-mile of operational
Vesna-type microwave radio relay line costs about $10,000. (Dollar
values are given in current US dollars throughout this publication.)
Total investment costs for arterial intra-Bloc coaxial cable and Vesna-
type microwave radio relay lines, exclusive of those constructed in
the USSR, are estimated to be between $90 million and $100 million.
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Even assuming that the investment requirements for programs of this
magnitude can be met, it is nevertheless evident that progress made
throughout 1966-75 will be contingent on the increased availability of
modern telecommunications equipment, especially high-capacity carrier
systems and exchange and subscriber facilities. Although cognizant of
this requirement, the European Satellites may not be able to cope fully
with it, because of competing military demands on existing facilities
for manufacturing electronics equipment and deficiencies in production
technology.
These factors suggest that not all major objectives for moderniz-
ing and expanding the telecommunications system of the European Satel-
lites will be met by the end of 1975. The strategic importance of
intra-Bloc systems insures their completion, but it is unlikely that
complementary goals for enlarging domestic systems will be met entirely.
Even if the attainment of domestic goals is delayed as much as 5 years,
however, the telecommunications systems of the European Satellites,,-in
view of the extensiveness of the over-all programs:; will be,improved
vastly by 1975.
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SECRET
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SECRET
50
PROSPECTS AND PROBLEM AREAS
FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
IN THE EUROPEAN SATELLITES
1959-75
April 196+
GROUP 1
Excluded from automatic
nradioand
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25X1 C
The publication is focused on the buildup of the strategic tele-
communications resources of the European Satellites* during 1959-75.
It is concerned solely with the development of mainline facilities
and their relationship to intra-Bloc and domestic needs for conven-
tional and specialized telecommunications. Consequently, only the
basic facilities operated and controlled by the various civil depart-
ments of post and telecommunications are covered. Independent func-
tional systems such as thosenserving the armed forces and the Com-
munist Party are not considered.
* For the purposes of this publication, the term European Satellites
refers to Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, and
Rumania. The terms Soviet Bloc and Bloc are used interchangeably and
include all of these countries as well as the USSR.
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CONTENTS
Page
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
I. Integrated Development Through 1965 . . . . . . . . . . . 3
A. Organization for Cooperation Among Socialist
Countries in the Fields of Post and Communications
(OSS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
B. System Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1. High-Capacity Transmission Systems . . . . . . .
2. Automation of Telephone and Telegraph Systems . .
a. Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
b. Telegraph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3. Intra-Bloc Television Network . . . . . . . . . . 6
C. Major Problem Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
D. Emergence of a Bloc-Wide Strategic Telecommunications
Complex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
A. Technological Developments . .
II. Plans and Prospects, 1966-75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1. Cable and Microwave Radio Relay Facilities . . . 9
2. Scatter Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3. Communications Satellites . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4. Electronic Switching Facilities . . . . . . . . . 11
B. Completion of a Modern Telecommunications Resource
Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Table
Status of Intra-Bloc Coaxial Cable and Microwave Facilities
in the European Satellites, April 1964 and Planned for
1965 ............................ 4
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Illustrations
Following Page
Figure 1. European Satellites: Routes and
Capacities of Main Cable and Microwave
Radio Relay Lines, April 1964 (Map) . . .
Figure 1A. European Satellites: Coaxial Cable and
Vesna-Type-Microwave Radio Relay
4
Facilities (Phojographs) . . . . . . . . .
Figure 2. Soviet Bloc: Intra-Bloc and International
Semiautomatic Telephone Network,
6
Planned for end of 1964 (Map) . . . . . .
Figure 3. Soviet Bloc: Intra-Bloc General Telegraph
Exchange (GENTEX) Network, April 1964
6
(Map) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
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PROSPECTS AND PROBLEM AREAS
FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
IN THE EUROPEAN SATELLITES
1959-75
Summary
Faced with mounting pressures for more and better communications,
the European Satellites in 1959 began a cooperative long-term program
(1959-75) for the development of a modern integrated intra-Bloc com-
munications system that would be responsive to official and military
requirements for automated and high-speed telephone, telegraph, data,
and television services. To achieve this end, the main development
thrust during 1959-65 was keyed to the installation of a compatible
mix of high-capacity coaxial cable and microwave radio relay trans-
mission systems that would meet both present and projected intra-Bloc
and domestic needs for an arterial communications network. At the
same time, work also was to begin on the automation of intra-Bloc tele-
phone and telegraph exchange facilities, and Bloc-wide television serv-
ice was to be inaugurated.
Since its inception the program has been marked by steady progress.
Although only small segments of the 2,000 miles of 4-tube coaxial cable
and 1+,750 miles of high-capacity microwave radio relay lines had been
completed by April 1961+, large sections were nearing completion. More-
over, an automated intra-Bloc telegraph network was activated by mid-
1962, operations on a Bloc-wide television network began in 1963, and
early in 1964 work was nearing completion on a semiautomatic intra-
Bloc telephone network.
Installation of the new transmission base should be completed by
the end of 1965 or soon thereafter. Because of chronic Bloc-wide
shortages of associated carrier-frequency multiplex equipment, these
new facilities will not operate at their designed capacities, but
they will nevertheless function as part of an integrated network capa-
ble of handling a wide range of conventional and specialized services.
This improved capability also will serve to strengthen the posture of
strategic and tactical military communications by closing the gap that
exists at present between the modern weapons systems deployed through-
out the European Satellites and the communications facilities and
services needed for their support and command control.
During 1966-75 the initial effort will be on completing all main
intra-Bloc and domestic communications lines and equipping them to
operate at their designed capacities, but main emphasis will be on
the expansion and full automation of intra-Bloc and domestic telephone
and telegraph exchange and subscriber facilities. Over-all development
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plans for domestic systems may be impeded by expanding requirements
for investment funds and equipment, although the intra-Bloc systems
probably will be completed according to plan because of their strate-
gic importance. Even if delays do occur in individual domestic systems,
however, the over-all telecommunications system of the European Satel-
lites will be vastly improved by the end of 1975-
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I. Integrated Development Through 1965
A. Organization for Cooperation Among Socialist Countries in the
Fields of Post and Communications (OS-ST-
The establishment of OSS* in 1957 set in motion forces that are
producing a striking change in the structure and composition of the
telecommunications services and facilities of the European Satellites.
Since its inception, OSS has had as its major long-range objective the
establishment of a modern Bloc-wide telecommunications system that can,
meet the burgeoning requirements of official and military users, and
to a lesser extent the general public, for automated, high-speed, co-?-
ventional and specialized telephone, telegraph, data, and television.
services. Toward this objective the European Satellites undertook the
following as their initial program for 1957-65: (1) the construction
of an integrated arterial network of high-capacity transmission systems,
(2) the partial automation of telephone and telegraph exchange facilities,
and (3) the inauguration of intra-Bloc network television service.
After a somewhat halting start in 1957 and 1958 -- marked by
indecision as to the choice of equipment and the routing of intra-Bloc
transmission lines as well as by problems in mobilizing indigenous
material, manpower, and technological resources -- development of the
system began in earnest in 1959. Since that year, steady if not spec-
tacular progress has been made. Although far from complete, the work
that has begun represents the hard core of a modern Bloc-wide tele-
communications system.
B. System Development
1. High-Capacity Transmission Systems
A prerequisite to the establishment of a modern Bloc-wide
telecommunications complex was the construction of an extensive net-
work of arterial transmission systems to serve both intra-Bloc and
domestic communications needs. Consequently, in the selection of high-
capacity transmission media, care was taken to introduce compatible
systems that incorporated modern, yet proven, communications tec,_nignes.
As shown on the map, Figure 1,** intra-Bloc arterial routes use 4-tube
coaxial cable and broadband microwave radio relay facilities that. have
a capacity of up to 2,000 telephone channels plus television. Facii:.tie.=
used on domestic communications routes consist of 8-pair and 14-pair
* Membership in OSS includes the following countries: the USSR,
Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, Poland,
Rumania, Communist China, Mongolia, North Korea, and North Vietnam.
Although not a member, Yugoslavia does have observer status.
** Following p. 4, below.
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i
double-track styroflex multicondiictor cables that can handle up to
960 and 1,680 telephone channels, respectively, and microwave radio
relay systems with capacities of from 24 to 120 telephone channels
plus television.
The current status of 4-tube coaxial cable and high-
capacity Vesna-type* microwave radio relay lines in the European
Satellites is shown in the table. Although only about 3 percent of
Status of Intra-Bloc Coaxial Cable
and Microwave Facilities in the European Satellites
April 1964 and Planned for 1965
Type of Facility
In
Operation
Under
Construction
Planned
for 1965
Total
Czechoslovakia
0
600
0
600
East Germany 1
0
140
40
180
Poland
60
420
740
1,220
60
1,160
780
2,000
Vesna-type microwave
radio relay lines
Bulgaria
0
180
30
210
Czechoslovakia
600
50
100
750
East Germany
0
400
380
780
Hungary
0
340
520
860
Poland
30
800
180
1,010
Rumania
580
160
400
1,140
1,210
1,930
1,610
4,750
a. Not including 1-tube coaxial cable lines, of which there are 110
miles in operation, 40 miles under construction, and 60 miles planned.
* "Vesna" is a 4-gigacycle (4,000-megacycle) microwave radio relay
system manufactured by the USSR that has from three to six radio-
frequency trunks.
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S-E-C-R-E-T
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the planned coaxial cable lines and 25 percent of the Vesna-type micro-
wave radio relay lines are operational, a considerable part of the
facilities under construction are nearing operational status. On most
coaxial cable routes u.~.der construction in Poland and Czechoslovakia,
for example, the cable and repeater tanks already are installed, with
partial or full operation contingent on the installation of associated
multiplex equipment. As for microwave radio relay lines, Vesna-type
towers are completed or are nearing completion on nearly all routes
under construction in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Rumania, and the installa-
tion of transmission equipment is believed to be imminent.
Apart from the choice of transmission systems, a determined
effort to construct a diversified and reliable telecommunications system
is explicit in the configuration of both the domestic and the intra-
Bloc networks. The arterial routes of most domestic networks consist
of parallel microwave radio relay and hardened cable systems. Duplica-
" tion of high-capacity transmission systems also is provided for in the
network of intra-Bloc lines. The main axis of this network inter-
connects Moscow, Warsaw, Prague, and East Berlin with parallel installa-
tions of ~I--tube coaxial cable and Vesna-type microwave radio relay lines.
This balanced installation of facilities, including the hardened con-
struction of cable terminal and repeater stations and the construction
of bypass cable rings around major industrial and strategic areas, im-
proves the reliability of communications inasmuch as traffic can flow
over alternate media or routes should any part of the network become
inoperable. Photographs of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable
facilities are shown in Figure lA.-~
2. Automation of Telephone and Telegraph Systems
The introduction of modern high-capacity transmission
systems has given added stimulus to the efforts of the European Satel-
lites to automate their domestic telephone and telegraph systems.
Gains in converting these domestic systems to semiautomatic and fully
automatic operations are emphasized by the progress made in establish-
ing new automated networks for intra-Bloc telephone and telegraph
traffic.
a. Telephone
The first stage in the construction of an automated
long-distance intea-Bloc telephone network is nearing completion. The
network, as shown. on the map, Figure 2,~ should be operational by the
end of 196+, at which time it will connect each of the capital cities
of the European Satellites and the USSR with one another and with the
~ Following p. 6, below.
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