A step in time Changes in standard frequency and time signal broadcasts

An improved Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) system has been adopted by the International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR).* It was implemented internationally by the standard frequency and time broadcast stations on January 1, 1972. The new UTC system eliminates the frequency offset of 300 parts in 1010 between the old UTC and Atomic Time, thus making the broadcast time interval, the UTC second, constant and defined by the resonant frequency of cesium atoms. The new time scale will be kept in synchronism with the rotation of the earth within ±0.7 second by step-time adjustments of exactly 1 second, when needed. A time code will be added to the disseminated time signals that will permit Universal Time to be obtained from the broadcasts to the nearest 0.1 second for users requiring such precision.