The Jewish Telegraphic Agency opened its first leased cable circuit tonight, directly linking its New York and London offices. The new circuit, a direct, office-to-office line like the radio printer hookup it replaces, will provide speedier and more dependable facilities for transmission of JTA news to London, for redistribution there on the European continent and in Australia.
The new cable circuit represents the first stage in conversion of JTA’s North Atlantic facilities from radio printer to cable. Under arrangements negotiated by Victor M. Bien-stock, JTA general manager, with Press Wireless, Inc., and the British Post Office, all JTA’s New York-London Press communications will be shifted from radio to cable. The conversion is expected to be completed before the end of 1964.
A major advantage of cable over radio printer is that the cable is rarely subject to the atmospheric disturbances that frequently disrupt radio communications, especially during the autumn and winter months. The North Atlantic radio path is exceptionally vulnerable to these disturbances.
JTA will continue to use radio printer facilities for direct communication with Israel, South Africa and South America. JTA and its affiliated Israeli News Agency have their own receiving station in Tel Aviv.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.