The Overseas Telecommunications Commission (OTC) was established by Australia in August 1946. It inherited facilities and resources from Amalgamated Wireless Australasia (AWA) and Cable & Wireless, and was charged with responsibility for all international telecommunications services into, through and out of Australia. In effect, all overseas telecommunications was nationalized. Australia was adopting a Commonwealth-wide policy that had been adopted at the Commonwealth conference in 1945. The main goal was to end the artificial routing of traffic to cable or wireless depending on private financial profits.
On 1 February 1992 it was merged with Australia's domestic telecommunications carrier, the Australian Telecommunications Corporation ("Telecom Australia") to create the Australian and Overseas Telecommunications Corporation (AOTC). The new organisation underwent a corporate identity review and was subsequently renamed Telstra.
When first established in 1946, OTC inherited facilities which had been depleted during World War II, and faced rising costs and falling profits. From this tenuous beginning, the organisation was to grow over the years to gain world standing on the international telecommunications stage.
Throughout rapid developments in undersea cable networks, global satellite systems and burgeoning digital technologies, OTC maintained a keen watch over its services to ensure continued quality. It also maintained and developed its links with maritime services, one of the initial arms of Australia's international telecommunications network.
OTC Timeline 1946 to 1992
Background
When first established by an Act of Parliament in 1946, Australia's international telecommunications carrier – OTC – inherited facilities which had been depleted during World War II, and faced rising costs and falling profits. From this tenuous beginning, the organisation was to grow over the years to gain world standing on the international telecommunications stage.
The commission's role was the establishment, maintenance and operation of telecommunications services between Australia and other countries. Through the OTC communications, telegram, telephone, telex and photo-telegrams were relayed to other countries around the globe. To undertake these functions the commission was part owner of overseas cables and international satellite facilities and it also operated international and coastal radio services in Australia and its territories. The OTC could well call itself and its services ‘the World Shrinkers’
OTC's history shows how, by internal restructuring, upgrading its public image, making long-term investments in technologies and networks, and becoming a major player in international cooperative efforts, it played a vital role in the provision of Australia's international communications.
Throughout rapid developments in undersea cable networks, global satellite systems and burgeoning digital technologies, OTC maintained a keen watch over its services to ensure continued quality. It also maintained and developed its links with maritime services, one of the initial arms of Australia's international telecommunications network.
1940s
1946
7 August: OTC established by the Overseas Telecommunications Act, 1946. 23 August: First Commission appointed – James Malone appointed Chief Commissioner. 1 October: OTC and AWA signed a Caretaker and Management Agreement under which AWA continued to control and operate radio services until such time as the commission had the resources to assume full control. 19 October: JES Stevens appointed first General Manager of OTC.
1947
1 February: OTC assumed full control of radio services from AWA. 28 May: Trials of 5-unit teletype equipment conducted on the Sydney-San Francisco RCA Multiplex. June: Tests conducted with the RMS Orlon as part of a series of experiments on the development of circuits to handle radiotelephone traffic with small ships in local waters, and overseas vessels leaving/entering Australian ports. 1 July: Interim Management Agreement signed by OTC and Cable & Wireless. OTC assumed managerial control of the Australian international cable network but the assets remained with Cable and Wireless Ltd. 7 July: Bassendean receiving station, Western Australia, closed. 1 September: New shore-end laid for Pacific Cable at Fanning Island. November: Beam Messenger Service discontinued. 20 November: Direct Melbourne-Wellington, New Zealand, picture-gram service opened.