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As the UK today (Friday) celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first long-distance telephone call made without the help of an operator CWU pays tribute to members involved and says we need to drive new technology forward.

Andy Kerr, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "Many CWU members, now retired, helped to build and maintain the systems that made the first long-distance call without an operator possible.

"Members today are working on high-speed broadband and convergence technology which will drive 21^st century communications. It is crucial that the UK maintains its place as a leader of new communications technology which benefits business and society alike.

"Video and tele-conferencing, along with increasing web functionality, are particularly driving improved communications and this has a positive environmental impact as well."

Gerry Ryan, CWU branch secretary of Capital branch which incorporates the old Farraday long-distance branch, said: "Baynard House telecom exchange in London was in the middle of the hub of all telecoms when that first call was made. London's still at the centre of the universe in that respect.

"Today many communications are satellite navigated and there's a lot of radio technology about. I started off as a telephone apprentice in 1975 and in that time telecommunications have changed enormously. I still believe it's in its infancy.

"We've had the agricultural and industrial revolutions. We're now living through the technological revolution."