How do international telegrams work?

International telegrams use undersea cables and satellite communications to send messages across the ocean. In the destination country, telegrams are received, printed, and delivered by a messenger or with the mail. Because telegrams travel most of their journey electronically and not as a physical piece of paper, telegrams are faster than international mail. Telegrams originally used Morse Code, but in modern times most telegrams use either Baudot Code or ASCII.

This day on July 27, 1866 – The first permanent transatlantic telegraph cable is successfully completed, stretching from Valentia Island, Ireland, to Heart's Content, Newfoundland. pic.twitter.com/mVxQXuwNZ4
— World of Engineering (@engineers_feed) July 27, 2020

Did you know?

Morse Code is still used by amateur ("ham") radio operators because it requires very little bandwidth and can be sent by just about any radio set, even without a microphone.

Resources

Read more detailed information about telegrams by visiting these websites.