S. Pacific Isle Dials Global Connection

The tiny South Pacific island of Nauru, like so many other developing nations, is turning to advanced telecommunications to boost its global fortunes.

Faced with dwindling supplies of phosphate, whose mining has powered the island’s economy for most of the last century, officials of the world’s smallest independent country this week signed a $5-million deal with American Telephone & Telegraph for state-of-the-art telephone service.

Located about 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, Nauru imports virtually all supplies needed by its 9,000 residents--including drinking water. Even its phone service comes through Australia via satellite.

But the new deal with AT&T; should make a big difference. Sure, the global economic implications are important. But what’s got a lot of Nauruans cheering is that almost everyone on today’s five-year waiting list for a telephone hook-up will soon have a dial tone at home.

Now, that’s progress.