history of technology; repair studies; repair and maintenance
Abstract :
[en] Since its establishment in 1885, the Luxembourg telephone network was characterised by bottlenecks in network expansion, which were in the course of the 20th century to be remedied by new cables (expansion) and new distribution technology (innovation). However, the envisioned expansion was repeatedly slowed down by a lack of trained technical staff and resources. For example, requests for new connections had repeatedly to be rejected and already planned expansion measures had to be postponed. Due to the one-sided focus of government and Luxembourg Post (PTT) administration on network expansion, the maintenance and repair of the network suffered at the same time, so that more frequent defects occurred. At the same time did the repair of defects tie up human and material resources that were then not available for expansion works. The PTT was thus confronted with a constant balancing act between the expansion and modernisation of the network and its maintenance, with the management level prioritising expansion and innovation. The problem was particularly virulent during the rapid expansion of telephony in the 1960s and 70s, but the paper will trace the fundamental conflict of interests for the first one hundred years of telephony in Luxembourg. The paper draws on legal documents and PTT reports to show how the construction, expansion and maintenance of the telephone network was envisioned, and how the shortage of technical staff and resources hampered the smooth operation of the system.
Research center :
- Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C2DH) > Public History and Outreach (PHO)
Disciplines :
History
Author, co-author :
Krebs, Stefan ; University of Luxembourg > Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C2DH) > Public History and Outreach
Mossop, Rebecca ; University of Luxembourg > Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C2DH) > Public History and Outreach
External co-authors :
no
Language :
English
Title :
The delicate balance between expansion, innovation and maintenance of the Luxembourg Telephone Network
Publication date :
24 February 2022
Event name :
Communication Maintenance in Longue Durée
Event organizer :
Università della Svizzera Italiana
Event place :
Lugano, Switzerland
Event date :
24-02-2022
Audience :
International
FnR Project :
FNR12547405 - Repairing Technology – Fixing Society? History Of Maintenance And Repair In Luxembourg (1918-1990), 2018 (01/09/2019-28/02/2023) - Stefan Krebs