| Name | Telecom Cabphone |
| Date | c. 1990 |
| Manufacturer | On AMPS network |
| Usage | In Taxis and on Ferries. |
| Further notes |
| The Telecom Cabphone was an early mobile telephone service introduced by Telecom Australia (now Telstra) in the late 1980s and used widely in Sydney taxis throughout the 1990s. Designed specifically for fleet and public transport use, the Cabphone allowed passengers to make phone calls while in transit. The system operated on the analogue AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone System) network, which was launched in 1987 and used the 800 MHz band for voice-only communication. The Cabphone unit was hardwired into the vehicle, usually mounted on the back of the front seat or centre console, and featured a corded handset with a standard numeric keypad and a small LED or digital display. Calls could be made by charging them to a Telecom Calling Card or by placing a reverse charge call. Some units were equipped with card or coin slots, although this varied by installation. The audio quality was generally good for its time, comparable to landline phones, though reception could drop out in areas with poor signal. Powered by the taxi’s electrical system, the Cabphone represented cutting-edge technology at the time and was considered a premium service aimed at businesspeople, tourists, and those needing to make urgent calls on the move. However, the cost of using the service was high, which limited its popularity among everyday users. The introduction of affordable handheld mobile phones in the mid-to-late 1990s rapidly rendered the Cabphone obsolete, and the AMPS network itself was shut down in 2000. Despite its short life span, the Telecom Cabphone was an important stepping stone in the development of mobile telephony in Australia. It also provided valuable operational experience for Telecom in mobile infrastructure and consumer habits. Surviving units are now rare and may occasionally be found in museums or private collections, serving as a nostalgic reminder of a transitional era in communications technology. |
| Links |
| https://3gwiz.com.au/ozmobilenet/?page_id=4 https://www.telstrawholesale.com.au/wholesaleconnect/category/technology-%26-trends/mobility-ages.html https://oldaustraliantelephones.weebly.com/australian-telephony—history.html |
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