Abstract:
In a telecommunication system, a wide-band channel when desired is connected next to a telephone connection by a system which comprises a first line system intended for telephone traffic and a second line system with wide-band communication channels intended for data transmission, picture transmission, etc. At least some subscribers have a special apparatus for wide-band connections and an apparatus attachment by the side of a subscriber''s telephone. The high operating costs for a wide-band connection requires that the connection not be established before it is actually to be used and that it be released after use without the telephone connection being disconnected and restored. Thus, a picture transmission can be connected and disconnected several times during a telephone call but it is inconvenient to send a subscriber''s telephone number each time, and no changes in the telephone exchange can be accepted. According to the invention each of such subscribers has at least one change-over switch in his apparatus attachment under control of the subscriber. When a wide-band connection is required between the two parties in an arranged telephone connection, each of the parties operates his change-over switch which causes a call to a control center and the setting of a signal connection. There is also initiated a signal interchange between the subscriber''s equipments via the arranged telephone connection utilized by the control center for connecting the special apparatus of the subscribers via a wide-band connection.