AT&T; began direct-dial service to China.

The new service gives Americans the ability, at least in theory, to call up one-quarter of the world’s population without an operator’s help. China has one telephone for every 400 people, but most of them are in government and business offices. However, AT&T; said direct dialing to the world’s most populous nation is nevertheless an important step. AT&T; began direct-dial service to 10 other countries and territories as well, including the Soviet Bloc nation of Bulgaria. The other new direct-dial additions were Ascension Island, Bangladesh, Benin, French Guiana, Gambia, Guadaloupe, Macao, Togo and Zaire.