The Development of Telecoms - Southampton
Southampton telephone area extends for about 1,200 square miles containing some half a million population. While the headquarters city, Southampton is largely industrial and is one of the biggest ports in the United Kingdom, most of the area is agricultural. Within its boundaries are two cathedral cities, the defence training ground of Salisbury Plain and part of the New Forest.
On the Avon, twenty-two miles north west of Southampton, is Salisbury, which is the next largest city in the area, with a population of 33,800. Its ancient cathedral, with its spire rising to 404 feet making it the highest building in England, is the centre of a diocese whose present Bishop is the 98th in order of succession (1950s).
Winchester, which was the ancient capital of Wessex and seat of government of Alfred the Great, Canute (who is buried here) and, with London, of William the Conqueror, with 25,790 population, is now a busy county town and home of the oldest public school in the country. The diocese of Winchester includes the deaneries of Jersey and Guernsey.
In the north of the area is Andover, a small agricultural centre, though with some light industries and serving several Royal Air Force establishments.
The area is served by 103 exchanges and 90 per cent, of the 38,600 exchange connections are automatic.
