The effective availability k
Eof a link system is expressible as the product of an average availability

and an availability factor

. A general expression is derived for

for link systems providing access to trunk groups carrying smooth traffic. The value of

obtained for smooth traffic is shown to be applicable to trunk groups offered random traffic. The validity of the theory is demonstrated by application to a three-stage link system and comparing the results obtained with the results obtained by using the methods of Jacobaeus.