Page:NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 17; ITALY; TRANSPORTATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS CIA-RDP01-00707R000200080003-4.pdf/40

 APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200080003-4

SECRET

transmitters of 100 watts or less. Radio-relay links are used to exchange programs with other countries in the Eurovision network. In 1972 an estimated 10.8 million TV receivers served some 65 of every 100 families.

A large, well-diversified telecom industry provides most types of equipment in quantities adequate for both civilian and military needs. The only significant import is components, which are obtained from abroad in large quantities. Such foreign purchases are primarily a reflection of product specialization within the European community. Moderate quantities of telephone switching and radiocommunication equipment are also imported. Exports include large amounts of components as well as radio-relay, multiplexing, and teletype equipment, radio and TV receivers, and military radios. The leading manufacturers are Telettra, S.P.A., Marrelli Lenkurt, S.P.A., Societa Italiana Telecomunicazioni Siemens, S.P.A., Philips Radio, S.P.A., and Selenia, S.P.A. The principal shortcoming of the industry is the lack of a more significant research and development capability. Most production in this field is based, directly or indirectly, on foreign designs.

The telecom industry has had no difficult in obtaining technicians, engineers, and scientists to fulfill its needs. Educational standards are high, and liberal scholarship programs are sponsored by the government and industry. The School of Telecommunications of the Armed Forces near Genoa has an attendance of about 2,600 military personnel each year for lengthy courses; it has provided large numbers of telecom and electronic technicians for the civilian industry.

The 5-year plan (1971-75) that SIP has been implementing calls for over 4 million new telephone sets, raising the per capita ratio to 28 sets per 100 population. Significant projects include a 1,380-channel coaxial submarine cable between Rome and Cagliari, Sardinia, construction of more 60-MHz cable systems, and installation of the first computer-controlled telephone exchange for the Naples area. The MPT has ordered new transmitters in sufficient numbers to completely overhaul the coastal radiocommunication network, and a 1,840-channel submarine cable connecting Italy with France and Israel is to be put into operation by 1975.

34

SECRET

APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200080003-4