Life at KL5

Eleven hundred and forty people keep this network running — in the operations centre, on the customer care floor, up poles and down manholes across eight exchanges. Some of what they do does not fit in an annual report.

Company picnic — August 1993

The annual picnic at the lakeside pavilion, Marion Falls. Softball, the tug-of-war that outside plant has now won four years running, and the picnic games for the children. Grilling by the switch technicians, who insist on it.

Families at a picnic table under the pavilion — Under the pavilion, lakeside

Staff serving at the buffet table — The buffet line

A family at a picnic table with drinks — Lunch in the shade

A softball batter mid-swing — Softball — engineering vs. operations

Two teams playing tug-of-war on the grass — Tug-of-war, won again by outside plant

A parent and child running in a picnic game — Picnic games

Holiday party — December 1992

Held on the operations floor at One Exchange Plaza, around the equipment, because the network does not close for December. Secret Santa, a cake from the cafeteria with the emblem on it, and a night shift that got its own party the following morning.

The decorated operations floor during the party — The floor, decorated

Staff gathered around the buffet table — Around the buffet

Two colleagues exchanging a wrapped gift — Secret Santa

Colleagues raising cups beside a decorated cake — The cake, from the cafeteria

Staff hanging garlands over the equipment — Decorating, the afternoon before

Colleagues dancing under the party banner — Dancing

Two colleagues talking by the buffet — Late in the evening

A group raising branded cups in a toast — A toast to the night shift

Annual Summit — 1993

Two days at One Exchange Plaza. Route planning for the coming year, the equipment exhibition, the panel on digital switching, and the service awards on the closing evening. Every exchange sends a delegation.