AT&T Taiwan Telecommunications Co Ltd has opened a new plant in Hsin Chu, Taiwan to manufacture AT&T’s 5ESS digital switch for sale in the Republic of China (that’s Taiwan). When operating at full capacity, the 140,000 square foot facility will employ 380 people. The company a joint venture of AT&T, 70%, with Taiwan’s Directorate of Telecommunications, the Bank of Communications, and Yao Hua Glass Co Ltd sharing the remaining 30%. The joint venture has received orders from the Telecommunications Directorate General for 255,500 local and 125,500 trunk lines of 5ESS switch to add to the 24 exchanges with 18,000 trunk and 49,000 local lines already installed. AT&T is also supporting a programme to implement ISDN Taiwan-wide by the year 2000.