User blog comment:Stormwell/Thoughts on Technology/@comment-1500935-20140210135550

On large-scale communications, I don't think cables are the answers. Most of Dunwall lies upon its sewer network, so if cables run underground we should have seen them in-game. Also, the lighthouse on Kingsparrow Island has a broadcast station similar to what is found in Dunwall Tower, but I highly doubt it is linked to the city via cables.

That said, some of the loudspeakers seem to run locally (Coldridge, Holger Square and inside Rothwild Slaughterhouse) and I wouldn't exclude that those are linked by cables. Some proff on that, a cut written note called PA System Instructions which mentions cables on the PA system of the Office of the High Overseer. Also I think too some of the messages were pre-recorded, or else the propaganda officer would never sleep! :D

On transportation, I don't think there has been anything directly described as steam technology, though yes whale oil seems to act as a greater fuel than coal or wood. The fact that it produces electricity too is however quite stunning. Still you're right about the use of whale oil in the Empire. The way the game puts it is that Dunwall is one of the few places using whale oil technology. The fact that Rothwild is exporting whale oil to Tyvia might point that the refineries are in the capital only. Then the rest would simply use traditional engines.