German Phone Booth-Telestation

German Phone Booth-Telestation

The Telestation was a modern Deutsche Telekom public phone system using slim stainless-steel columns instead of booths. Available in freestanding, compact, and wall-mounted forms, it supported multiple payment types and digital features. Installed widely from the 1990s, it marked the final phase of public telephony before Germany’s payphones were discontinued in 2023.

Name	Telestation
Date	Installed widely during the late 1990s and 2000s. Such a pity they are gone. They were graceful.
Manufacturer	Deutsche Telekom (c. 1995-2025)

Development of the Telestation

The Fernsprechhäuschen “Telestation” was a late-era German public telephone concept developed by Deutsche Telekom during the 1990s–2000s, as traditional phone booths were being phased out.

What it was
Rather than a fully enclosed kiosk, the Telestation was a modular, open or semi-enclosed phone unit—more like a communications point than a booth. It typically combined:
a public telephone (usually card-operated)
weather protection (canopy or partial enclosure)
space for advertising panels or information displays

Design approach
The Telestation reflected a major shift in thinking:
from privacy → visibility and durability
from iconic objects → integrated street furniture
from coin phones → card and service-based telephony

The Telestation (TeleStation) was a series of modern public telephone units introduced by Deutsche Telekom, representing the final stage of public telephony in Germany. Rather than traditional enclosed booths, Telestations were slim stainless-steel columns with an integrated telephone, designed for durability, visibility, and reduced maintenance.

They were produced in three main forms: a freestanding version, a compact “short” version (often used indoors or under shelter), and a wall-mounted version. The design could include optional side glass panels or partial enclosures, though later installations often removed these features entirely, reflecting a shift toward minimal, open structures.

Technologically, Telestations were among the most advanced public phones in Germany, typically equipped with multi-payment (“allpayment”) systems that accepted coins, phonecards, and sometimes bank cards. They also offered additional digital functions, marking a move beyond simple voice calls.

Installed widely during the late 1990s and 2000s, they embodied the transition from iconic kiosks to integrated street furniture. However, their relevance declined rapidly with mobile phone adoption. The final Telestations were taken out of service on 1 February 2023, when Germany officially shut down its remaining public payphones.