1956day.year
TAT-1, the first submarine transatlantic telephone cable system, is inaugurated.
On September 25, 1956, TAT-1, the first submarine transatlantic telephone cable system, was inaugurated, revolutionizing global communications.
Spanning over 3,700 kilometers between Oban, Scotland, and Clarenville, Newfoundland, TAT-1 provided 36 simultaneous telephone channels. Developed by Bell Labs and the British Post Office, it utilized coaxial cable technology and submerged repeaters to maintain signal clarity. The cable dramatically improved call quality and reliability compared to earlier radio-based links. It also reduced the cost of transatlantic communication, fostering closer business, diplomatic, and personal connections. Operational until 1978, TAT-1 paved the way for subsequent generations of undersea cables, including modern fiber-optic systems. Its launch marked the beginning of a new era in international telephony.
1956
TAT-1