The July 1952 issue of Lab-Oratory announced, "Jet Lab Converts to Dial Telephone System on August 11." Sally Crane, PBX Supervisor, and William Cronk, Western Electric, are shown giving the new telephone switchboard a preliminary operational check. The equipment, installed in building 67, had a capacity of 2000 stations rather than 480, as the old system did. It was heralded as the largest and most modern telephone exchange in the entire Pasadena area.

With the new system, 75% of all calls were directly dialed. Operators were still needed for incoming calls, page calls, and long distance and toll calls. The Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company offered to have its operators personally instruct all JPL personnel on the use of the dial system and answer questions.