Forecasts that Spain would have one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe once it joined the European Community are being borne out if the demand for telephone lines is any guide: Compania Telefonica Nacional de Espana says that requests for lines are up 25% so far this year after an 18% increase last year and 30% in 1986 – and Telefonica can’t keep up; the back-log is now 1.2m lines against 10.5m installed, and the phone company blames the delays on equipment suppliers who can’t ship gear fast enough.