STATUS OF HIGH-CAPACITY COMMUNICATIONS IN THE SOVIET BLOC

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79S01100A000100110007-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 19
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 6, 1999
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: October 1, 1962
• Content Type: IR

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ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE REPORT
STATUS OF HIGH-CAPACITY COMMUNICATIONS
IN THE SOVIET BLOC
EIC SR-6
October 1962
NEXT RL.VIEVV D_
/hill:
ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE
Subcommittee on Electronics and Telecommunications
1 n
Excluded from
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WARNING
This material contains information affecting
the National Defense of the United States
within the meaning of the espionage laws,
Title 18, USC, Secs. 793 and 794, the trans-
mission or revelation of which in any manner
to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
Printed and Disseminated by the
Central Intelligence Agency
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ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE REPORT
STATUS OF HIGH-CAPACITY COMMUNICATIONS
IN THE SOVIET BLOC
EIC SR-6
October 1962
ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE
Subcommittee on Electronics and Telecommunications
FRET--
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FOREWORD
This report has been prepared by the members of the Subcommittee
on Electronics and Telecommunications of the Economic Intelligence
Committee (EIC). Departments and agencies represented on the sub-
committee are the Departments of State, Defense, and Commerce; the
United States Information Agency; the National Security Agency; and
the Central Intelligence Agency.
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CONFIDENTIAL'
Page
I. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
II. Production of High-Capacity Communications Equipment . . 2
A. Microwave Radio Relay Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1. USSR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. East Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3. Hungary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4. Czechoslovakia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5. Poland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
B. Multiplexing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C. Coaxial Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
III. Progress and Plans for Operational High-Capacity Communi-
cations Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A. USSR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
B. European Satellites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Estimated Production of Microwave Radio Relay Equipment in the
USSR, East Germany, and Hungary, 1955-65 . . . . . . . . . . 4
Maps
(Inside Back Cover)
Figure 1. USSR: Routes and Capacities of Main Cable and
Microwave Radio Relay Lines, January 1962
Figure 2. European Satellites: Routes and Capacities of
Main Cable and Microwave Radio Relay Lines,
January 1962
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CONFIDENTIALL
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STATUS OF HIGH-CAPACITY COMMUNICATIONS IN THE SOVIET BLOC
I. Introduction
Two aspects of high-capacity communications in the Soviet Bloc are
assessed in this report: (1) production of high-capacity communications
equipment and (2) the planned expansion of main-line high-capacity com-
munications facilities during the current Seven Year Plan (1959-65) of
the USSR. For the purposes of the report, high-capacity communications
equipment is defined as equipment having a capacity of 1 or more tele-
vision channels or 24 or more telephone channels and includes microwave
radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and multiconductor and coaxial cable
and associated multiplexing equipment.
Microwave radio relay equipment provides a high-capacity7.multi-
relay communications system capable of operating over great distances
via relay stations regardless of terrain. This technique is especially
suited to spanning mountains, forests, and the bleak tundras of Siberia.
The number of simultaneous telephone and telegraph channels that can be
transmitted over a microwave system far exceeds the capability of open
wire or multiconductor cable. The system also has the following other
major advantages: (1) shortness of installation time, (2) economy of
construction and maintenance, (3) no requirement for physical connec-
tions between transmitting and receiving stations, and (4) suitability
to subsequent increase in capacity at less cost than other systems.
Coaxial cable also can provide a high-capacity communications sys-
tem. Four-tube coaxial cable, for instance, when multiplexed with ap-
propriate equipment can provide 2,000 or more telephone channels.
Compared with microwave relay systems, "hardened" (underground) cable
networks are more expensive to install and maintain but are much less
vulnerable to blast damage -- a strategic advantage well known to
Soviet planners.
The USSR, East Germany, and Hungary are the principal Bloc countries
producing high-capacity equipment. Poland and Czechoslovakia produce
special types of high-capacity equipment in limited quantities. Al-
though production capacity in the Bloc is being increased, output of
microwave radio relay equipment, multiplexing equipment, and coaxial
cable has not been adequate as yet to take the place of imports.
The USSR has delayed development and quantity production of high-
capacity communications equipment, probably because of the lower
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priority afforded to development work on civil communicationsequip-
ment rather than because of the technological complexities inherent in
the development and subsequent series production of this equipment.
In the USSR, first priority for research, development, and production
of any kind of electronic equipment has always been given to military
requirements. Even so, the pressing need for high-capacity civil com-
munications (which now include the needs of the military services for
ready access to high-capacity civil systems) is resulting in an ex-
panded effort to develop and produce high-capacity equipment for civil
use.
For the first time in Soviet history, the current Seven Year Plan
givers high priority and allocates large sums of money to the expansion
of the-Soviet high-capacity civil communications system. The plan calls
-for the installation of about 13,500 miles of microwave radio relay
lines and about 20,000 miles of multiconductor and coaxial cable lines.
Thus all major Soviet cities would be linked together in a vast communi-
cations network, and high-capacity systems would be pushed further east-
ward. into Siberia. This plan not only would help provide the large
numbers of telephone channels long needed-for automatic intercity tele-
phone communications but also would substantially assi-st in meeting the
persistent demands of government, military, industrial, and civilian
subscribers for various types of communications channels.
At present it appears that the goals of the Seven Year Plan for
1965, in terms of length of lines, will be met and possibly exceeded,
but, because of shortages of multiplexing equipment, it is doubtful
that the maximum capacity of these lines will be fully realized by the
end of 1965. These shortages, however., are expected to ease toward
1965.
Since 1959, the first year of the Soviet Seven Year Plan, the
European Satellites have made steady progress in their efforts to estab-
lish an integrated,-Bloc-wide, arterial high-capacity communications
network. Several main lines that will connect the European Satellites
and the USSR are under construction-and will feature microwaveradio
relay and four-tube coaxial cable facilities. Prospects are good-for
the installation of a significant portion of the network by the end of
1965. Nevertheless, as in the USSR, shortages of multiplexing equip-
ment will hinder-fulfillment of the plan by that time.
II. Production of High-Capacity Communications Equipment
A. Microwave Radio Relay Equipment
1. USSR
The Strela M. a 21+-telephone-channel system operating in
the 1,700-to-2,000-megacycle (mc) band, was the first microwave radio
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relay equipment produced by the USSR. Production was begun in 1955 at
the Pushkin Experimental Plant of Scientific Research Institute (NII)
100 of the Ministry of Communications but later was turned over to
enterprises of the Ministry of the Radiotechnical Industry. The Strela
T, which was developed during 1955 and was in production in 1956, is a
system similar to the Strela M and provides one broad-band channel for
television transmissions. The Strela M when supplemented with the
Strela T is capable of transmitting 24 telephone channels and 1 tele-
vision signal over distances of 175 to 250 miles.
By 1957 the USSR had experimentally produced a R-60120,
which provides telephone and television transmissions simultaneously.
The R-60120 equipment was placed in series production some time in
1958. The standard R-60/120 operates in the 1,600-to-2,000-mc band
and provides three radio frequency (two telephone and one television)
trunks. With proper multiplexing equipment, each telephone trunk pro-
vides 120 simpler telephone channels, one service channel, and one re-
mote signaling or telecontrol channel. The television trunk can pro-
vide a reversible television channel.
The R-600, or Vesna, is the latest microwave radio relay
equipment developed by the USSR. Present Soviet plans indicate that
this equipment will be the primary facility used on major trunk lines.
The Vesna, which operates in the 3,1+00-to-3,900-mc band, is designed for
television and telephone transmissions at distances up to 3,000 miles.
The construction and electronic characteristics of this system allow
for a gradual increase in the number of trunk channels as multiplexing
equipment becomes available. The advantage is similar to that of the
US TD-2 system, which has been in service for more than a decade.
The Vesna has two methods of operation, with three trunks
and with six trunks. Each trunk can provide either a duplex televi-
sion transmission, including sound, or a maximum of 600 telephone
channels. Three-trunk operation can provide one reversible simplex
television transmission and up to 1,200 telephone channels with auto-
matic switchover standby equipment. Six-trunk operation probably will
be used as follows: two trunks for television relaying, three for a
maximum of 1,800 voice channels, and the sixth as a standby.
One of the first models of the Vesna was produced in 1957
at the NII 100, and the zero series reportedly was manufactured in
1959 at an unidentified plant near Mytishchi. The Vesna is believed
* Simplex is a method of communication between two stations in one
direction at a time; duplex involves communication between two stations
in both directions simultaneously.
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to have beenin regular series production since January 1960. Although
production of this equipment has been going onfor several years and
a few lines are in operation, there are no known routes on which the
full 600-voice channel capacity per trunk is in use.
Estimates of production of Strela M. Strela T, R-60120,
and Vesna equipment are shown in the table. Quantities produced as
Estimated Production of Microwave Radio Relay Equipment
in the USSR, East Germany, and Hungary
1955--65
Units a/
- 1955 _ 1956 1957 1958
1959 1960 1961 1962-65 J
Strela M
St
l
T
10
20
50
50
50
50
50
100
re
a
6
0
10
30
30
40
4o
4o
60
R-
0/120
R
60
0
0
10
25
40
50
50
200
-
0, Vesna
East Germany
0
0
5
10
50
80
100
1,000
RVG-903
200
100
50
50
20
20
0
0
RVG-904
4o to 50
30
20
0
0
0
0
0
RVG-908
0
0
0
5
10
10
10
10
RVG-934
0
0
0
0
10
50
50
100
RVG-935
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
50 to 70
RVG-958
xungar
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
100
PM-24
P14
28
0
0
10 to 20
40
125 to 150
125 to 150 50
to 75
0
-
GTT
40
0
0
0
0
0
10 50
to 75
300
/
00
0
0
0
0
0
0 25
to 50
1,000
a. A unit of microwave radio relay equipment is considered to be one transmitter and one
receiver.
b. Estimates of production for 1962-65 are highly tenuous, having as their principal base
the estimates of line facilities to be installed during the period.
well as the starting dates of production are based primarily on the
estimated and/or observed installation of equipment. These estimates
represent minimum production: the operation of only one broad-band
channel for existing lines is assumed. except where available information
indicates otherwise. Production of specific items of equipment cannot
be related to specific plants. The Pu-shkino Experimental Plant, however,
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has produced a large portion of existing high-capacity radio relay
equipment; also, a plant in Odessa is believed to be producing this
equipment.
The low level of Soviet production of R-60/120 and Vesna
equipment is not attributed to inherent production difficulties. Al-
though tube reliability and service life still present some problems,
the USSR has demonstrated the capability to produce the critical com-
ponents needed in microwave radio relay equipment such as traveling
wave tubes, klystrons, metal-ceramic triodes, and waveguides. The
USSR, however, has not allocated sufficient production resources to
provide these components in quantities adequate for both military and
civilian needs. Also, military priorities probably have delayed the
procurement of adequate factory space for the series production of the
Vesna.
2. East Germany
East Germany has been producing microwave radio relay
equipment (the RVG series) at the Rafena plant in Radeberg since 1950.
The RVG-903, used for relaying up to 24 telephone channels, has been
produced since 1952. Production of television relay equipment was
started in 1954 with the RVG-904 television video transmitter and the
RVG-905 audio signal relay. Further improvements on television relay
equipment were completed by 1958, when the RVG-908 video relay system
went into series production along with the RVG-955 audio relay equip-
ment. No new124-channel microwave radio relay equipment was brought
into production until 1959, when the RVG-934, designed for pulse posi-
tion modulation, reached the production stage. The RVG-935, a 28-
channel partly transistorized set, is scheduled to replace the RVG-934
in production in 1963. Series production of the RVG-958, comparable
to the Soviet Vesna, probably will be started in 1963. Defection to
the West of experienced scientists and technicians has been responsible
to a great degree for the delay in East German production of high-capa-
city radio relay and multiplexing equipment. The estimated production
of microwave radio relay equipment in East Germany is shown in the table.*
3. Hungary
Early in the 1950's, Hungary began designing and producing
prototypes of a series of mobile military microwave radio relays.
Later, development began on the PM-24,** a 24-telephone channel fixed
set designed for civilian use and patterned after a Swiss Brown Boveri
unit. The PM-24 has been produced since 1957 at the Beloiannisz Plant
* P.i+, above.
The PM-24 series includes three models: the A, the C, and the L.
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in Budapest. Further refinements of the PM-24 resulted in the PM-28,
a 28?-channel system, which was placed in production in 1960.
As a result of the Hungarian experience in development and
production of radio relay equipment, an agreement was reached in 1959
with the USSR under which Hungary was to develop a more modern, broad-
band type of microwave radio relay equipment. Designated the GTT/4000,*
the equipment has a capacity similar to the Vesna (Soviet) and the
RVG-958 (East German). The GTT/4000, first produced in 1961, is en-
tirely of original Hungarian design but meets operating standards estab-
lished by the USSR for the Vesna. The GTT/4000 was developed by and
was originally produced at the Beloiannisz Plant. The Fine Mechanics
Plant (FMV) in Budapest now produces GTT/4000 equipment. Estimates of
Hungarian production of microwave equipment are shown in the table.**
In Hungary, as in East Germany, production of 4,000-mc
radio relay equipment has been delayed to a great extent by develop-
mental problems and to a lesser extent by dependence on the USSR for
specialized components. Delays in production of the GTT/4000 probably
are not caused by manufacturing difficulties, for Hungary has had long
experience in production of telecommunications equipment. Production
facilities at the FMV Plant have been expanded in recent years and
should permit quantity production of the GTT/4000.
4. Czechoslovakia
Microwave radio relay equipment for the transmission of
both telephone and television video signals is produced by plants of
the Tesla enterprise in Czechoslovakia. The volume is believed to be
sufficient to provide for some exports. Items in current production
include the MT-11, a mobile television relay equipment of 8,100 to
8,500 inc that is capable of transmitting video and audio signals up to
a maximum of 35 miles and is used for on-the-spot coverage of outdoor
events and for the transmission of signals between studio and transmitter;
the DT-21, a radio relay equipment capable of carrying 60 telephone-chan-
nels at distances up to 310 miles; and the DT-22, which is similar to the
DT-21 but is designed for the transmission of television signals. Newly
developed equipment that is capable of carrying 6, 12, 24, and 120
channels and is designated the MKG series is expected to be in series
production in 1963.
* There are two models of GTT/4000: the GTT/4000/600 for transmitting
telephone and television signals and the GTT/4000/A for transmitting
television signals only.
** P. 4, above.
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5. Poland
At least one type of broad-band microwave relay equipment,
a transportable television link equipment called the Korab, was produced
in 1959 at the Gdansk (Danzig) Radio Factory T-18. The Korab is similar
to the West German FM TV-7000, which operates in the range of 6,575 to
6,875 me with 1 watt of power output. Ten Korab sets were produced in
1959, and 12 were to have been produced in 1960. It was reported in
1960 that, in addition to the Korab, Vesna-type equipment was being as-
sembled at the T-18 Plant. The report, however, has not been corrobo-
rated.
B. Multiplexing Equipment
The USSR and East Germany are the only producers of multiplexing
equipment for high-capacity communications systems in the Bloc. The
USSR has been slow to initiate large-scale production of high-capacity
multiplexing equipment. The USSR has produced the KRR 30/60 and the
K-60 frequency-division multiplexing equipment for use with the R-60120
system as well as with multiconductor cable, to permit the simultaneous
handling of up to 60 telephone channels. In 1959 the K-60 multiplexer
was undergoing tests to eliminate operational defects, and in 1960 full
production is believed to have begun. The USSR has developed the K-1920
with a capacity of 1,920 channels for use with coaxial cable. The K-1920
was installed on cables for operational testing in 1960 and probably was
placed in production in 1961. The K-300, a 300-channel system for use
with miniature coaxial cable, is presently under development and prob-
ably will be placed in production during 1962-65.
In East Germany the V-60/120, a 60-channel set, is the highest
capacity multiplexing unit thus far developed. Two sets of the V-60/120
can be connected in parallel to give 120 channels. A limited number of
experimental units were produced at the VEB Fernmeldewerk Plant in Baut-
zen. Although operating quality of these units has been satisfactory,
further development was undertaken. East Germany is now producing the
v-60/120 for installation on domestic cable lines, and also the V-60-S,
a transistorized variant, for delivery to the USSR. V-60-S equipment
is designed to handle traffic at feeder lines of radio relay connections
and also can be used on balanced cable lines. Production of the V-60-S
probably began in late 1960 or early 1961. It is assumed that produc-
tion has continued at Bautzen, but the Fernmeldewerk in Leipzig also may
be associated with the V-60 production program. The VEB Werk fuer Fern-
meldewesen in Berlin/Obers.choeneweide is an important supplier of compo-
nent parts and is engaged in developmental work in connection with the
V-60. A fully transistorized version of the V-60120 is now under de-
velopment at the Institute for Postal and Telecommunications Techniques
in East Berlin. Production of multiplexing equipment for the RVG-958
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probably will present major problems, although such a set is reported
to be under laboratory development.
C. Coaxial Cable
Although coaxial cable is produced in the USSR, Poland, East
Germany, and Czechoslovakia, limited data prevent the quantification of
its production. The USSR has attempted to import coaxial cable from the
West. This action may indicate that domestic production has not been
adequate to -satisfy requirements; but it could also reflect to some ex-
tent the problem of priority allocations. Major producers of coaxial
cable in the USSR are the Electric Cable Plant 330 in Moscow and the
Northern Cable Plant in Leningrad. These two plants account for 50 per-
cent of the total Soviet output.
East Germany has produced coaxial cable type 17a, having
1 tube and 16 balanced multiconductor pairs. Production was to have
been discontinued in 1957 because of high manufacturing costs, but this
type of coaxial cable was being produced as late as 1959. Kabelwerk
Oberspree (KWO), the principal East German producer of coaxial cable,
has recently been reequipped with modern machinery, and production of
4--tube coaxial cable probably began during 1961.
Poland has initiated production of 4-tube coaxial cable at
the Krakow and Ozarow Cable Factories. Although the quantity being
produced is not clear, Poland probably will become the major Satellite
producer of 4-tube coaxial cable.
Plants of the Kablo enterprise in Czechoslovakia produce
coaxial feeder cable-for short-distance transmissions of video and
other broad-band signals. This solid dielectric cable is not suitable
for long-distance, high-capacity transmissions.
III. Progress and Plans for Operational High-Capacity Communications
Systems
The Soviet Bloc is making significant progress in enlarging and
improving its main-line high-capacity communications facilities. The
need for this buildup has been recognized and is reflected in the eco-
nomic development plans of individual Bloc countries and also in plans
set forth by the Organization for Cooperation Among the Socialist Coun-
tries in the Fields of Post and Communications (OSS). Attention is
focused in these plans on the construction of internal high-capacity
systems that will emphasize compatible techniques, services, and equip-
ments. In turn, these internal systems are to form the nucleus of a
flexible, integrated, Bloc-wide arterial network that will provide for
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increased volumes of conventional telephone, telegraph, and broadcast-
ing services as well as specialized services to meet economic and stra-
tegic needs.
As shown on the maps, Figures 1 and 2,* the integrated Bloc-wide
network is rapidly taking form. It features a balanced installation of
"soft" (aboveground) microwave radio relay lines and "hardened" coaxial
and multiconductor cable lines. On most main routes, "hardened" cable
facilities are to parallel "soft" microwave facilities. To enhance
flexibility and reliability, the network is to include bypass rings
around major urban areas and is to be centered on two connected rings --
the Warsaw ring and the Prague ring. Thus, should any part of the net-
work become inoperative, traffic would be able to flow over alternate
routes or alternate facilities. Equipment to be installed would adhere
to international standards and would consist mainly of Vesna-type micro-
wave radio relay, 1-tube and 1-tube coaxial cable, and styroflex multi-
conductor cable.
Although extensive use of this network is not expected until 1963-64+,
limited use (principally for the passage of television broadcasts) is
envisaged during 1962. The intra-Bloc television network (Intervision),
which is scheduled to connect all capital cities in the Soviet Bloc by
the end of 1962, will utilize these facilities. The exchange of tele-
vision broadcasts has already begun between several Bloc capitals, al-
though at present they are being passed over transportable microwave
radio relay facilities and the quality of service is poor.
The most serious problem foreseen for the establishment of an inte-
grated Bloc-wide network of high-capacity communications systems is the
shortage of multiplexing equipment to bring capacities to desired levels.
Although it appears that most line facilities will be installed by the
end of 1965, the installation of associated multiplex equipment will
lag from 1 to 2 years.
By the end of 1965, all republic capitals and most major in-
dustrial centers of the USSR are planned to be connected with Moscow by
microwave radio relay lines having potential capacities of 120 or more
telephone channels. To effect this accomplishment and to provide feeder
lines of lower capacities, the installation of 13,500 miles of micro-
wave radio relay lines has been planned. As of 1 January 1962, as shown
on the map, Figure 1, 6,500 miles of operational microwave lines were
installed: 2,400 miles being Vesna; 1,000 miles, R60/120; and 3,100 miles,
Strela M or Strela T, with 7,400 additional miles under construction,
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2,900 of which are Vesna; 4,200, R60/120; and 300, Strela M or Strela T.
In spite of the publicity given to the transmission of television pro-
grams over operational Vesna lines, however, none is known to be oper-
ating at its designed telephone trunk capacity, and only a few R60/120
lines are equipped to provide even 60 telephone channels, because of
current shortage-s not only of multiplex equipment but of experienced
engineers and technicians for installing, operating, and maintaining
microwave equipment -- a situation that should improve to some degree
toward the end of the plan period.
The routes and the known capacities of 1,100 miles of coaxial
cable lines in operation, nearly 1,000 miles under construction, and
3,000 miles planned as of 1 January 1962 are shown in Figure 2. Four-
tube coaxial cable, multiplexed with K-1920 apparatus, is planned for
routes having the greatest traffic density. Not all of the planned
lines are believed to be scheduled for completion by the end of 1965.
In the latter part of the Seven Year Plan an unspecified quantity of
miniature coaxial cable multiplexed with K-300 apparatusis expected
to be laid on routes of less than 500 miles.
Main multiconductor cable routes are to use balanced styroflex
cable multiplexed with K-60 apparatus. On secondary routes, multicon-
ductor cable lines are to be multiplexed with K-24+ apparatus. Certain
details on the progress of laying multiconductor cable lines include the
completion of the Trans-Siberian multiconductor cable line to Irkutsk,
the completion of the Petropavlovsk (Kazkhstan) - Alma-Ata line, the
possible reequipment of the Moscow-Brest and Moscow-Kharkov lines with
K-60 apparatus, and the initiation of work on the Moscow-Arkhangel line.
Demonstrated progress to date indicates that a substantial portion of
the planned cable lines will be in operation by the end of 1965.
Tropospheric scatter is ideally suited to meet Soviet require-
ments for reliable telecommunications service in remote areas of the
north and east. Experimental links were reported as early as 1957, but
there are no known operational tropospheric scatter links having a ca-
pacity of 24 or more telephone channels. Although plan announcements
for the use of scatter communications are vague, a limited number of
-scatter links with a capacity of 24 or more telephone channels are ex-
pected to be operational by the end of 1965.
B. European Satellites
Since 1959 the European Satellites have made steady progress in
-establishing an integrated Bloc-wide arterial telecommunications network.
The indecision in the choice of equipment and routing of main lines, evi-
dent in the early stages of the network's development, has given way to
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resolute installation of facilities. Already under construction are
several main lines that will connect the European Satellites and the
USSR and feature modern Vesna-type microwave radio relay and --tube
coaxial cable facilities. Installation of a significant portion of
the network is expected by 1965, although desired capacities are not
expected to be fulfilled because of shortages of multiplex equipment.
As shown on the map, Figure 2, there were about 2,200 miles of
microwave radio relay lines in operation in the European Satellites by
the end of 1961, nearly all of which are using equipment with a capa-
city of 24+ telephone channels or 1 television channel. Only the re-
cently installed 300-mile line between Prague and Bratislava (Czecho-
slovakia) is using Vesna-type equipment. Construction of about 1,000
miles of Vesna-type lines is currently underway mainly in East Germany,
Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Rumania, and 2,500 miles in addition are
planned for installation in those countries by the end of 1965.
On the basis of the known compatibility of the East German
RVG-958, the Hungarian GTT/)+000, and Soviet Vesna equipment, all three
types are expected to be used on the main microwave radio relay lines.
During 1961-64+, many new main lines are to use either the Vesna or the
GTT/)+000. The RVG-958 should be available for operational use by late
1963, at which time it is to be introduced on East German main lines
and subsequently on some of the main lines in other Satellite countries.
East Germany, Poland, and Czechoslovakia also have accelerated
the construction of "hardened" coaxial cable lines since early 1959.
As shown in Figure 2, about 230 miles of coaxial cable line had been
installed, 1,000 were under construction, and 1,100 additional miles
were planned by the end of 1961. Of the 2,300 miles expected to be
completed by the end of 1965, 2,000 miles will consist of u-tube
coaxial cable, installed mainly in Poland and Czechoslovakia, and the
remaining 300 miles will consist of 1-tube coaxial cable installed
entirely in East Germany. The new coaxial cable lines will parallel
the new microwave radio relay routes generally and will conform to
standards associated with "hardened" telecommunications facilities.
The lines will be buried at depths of 3 to 5 feet and will bypass major
industrial and strategic areas. Spur lines will connect these areas
with the main lines.
In tropospheric radio scatter communications, East Germany now
is conducting feasibility studies on five experimental links operating
between Kolberg (near East Berlin) and Gross Inselsberg, Fichtelberg,
Dresden, Prague (Czechoslovakia), and Poznan (Poland). If these inves-
tigations prove to be fruitful, it is likely that this medium will be
introduced to supplement main line intra-Bloc facilities and to provide
service to more inaccessible regions and, same time after 1965, to intro-
duce service in the other European Satellites.
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 32240 2-82
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CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
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