The planning of telephone exchange plants

This paper discusses procedures followed in planning future extensions to telephone exchange plants to care for increased demand for telephone service. An outline is given of the methods employed in forecasting future demand for telephone service and in determining the most efficient design of the plant to meet the service requirements. The uses made of engineering comparisons in solving the economic phases of various kinds of telephone engineering problems are discussed, with particular reference to location and size or extent of major items of plant as well as the time when they should be ready to give service. Emphasis is placed upon the importance of those factors less readily evaluated, such as service factors, practicability from a construction and operating standpoint, flexibility, etc.