A new transatlantic telecommunications link will begin...

A new transatlantic telecommunications link will begin service by year’s end, AT&T; said in announcing the completion of its 3,160-mile stretch of fiber-optic cable to a connection point on the European continental shelf. Once France and Britain complete their connections, expected in November, the cable will be able to carry the equivalent of 37,800 simultaneous voice conversations. Meanwhile, AT&T;’s cable ship C. S. Long Lines will move to the California coast to begin a similar link from Point Arena through Hawaii to Guam and Japan. AT&T; owns 37% of the $357-million project, and 29 telecommunications administrations divide the remaining 53%.