| Name | Type 700 Interurbain |
| Date | 1965 – 1982 |
| Manufacturer | Compagnie le Taxiphone for PTT |
| Notes | This was a sophisticated cash operated payphone which was good for long distance calls. It looks like it is based on a Hall mechanism and bears a very strong resemblance to the BPO 700 series. Similarities- Multi-coin acceptance (3 denominations) → very Hall-like architecture Exchange-driven pulse charging (50 Hz / 12 kHz) → same systemic shift Credit display + enforced balance → analogous to post-pay evolution in UK systems |
Development of the Type 700 Interurbain
| The Type 700 interurban automatic Taxiphone, introduced in 1965, marked a major advancement in French public telephony. Classified under PTT nomenclature number 277-700, it accepted multiple coin types via three selectors: 20 centimes (Lagriffoul), ½ franc and 1 franc “Semeuse” (Roty). It was equipped with a circuit identical to the S63 non-regulated subscriber sets, reflecting contemporary technical standards. A key innovation was its tax comparator, featuring a display window showing the remaining credit. The credit mechanism, developed by telecommunications engineer Jean Briend, allowed real-time monitoring of call costs. The system detected charging pulses transmitted either at 50 Hz (earth-modulated) or at 12 kHz, ensuring compatibility across network configurations. If the user’s credit fell into deficit, the conversation was deliberately degraded until additional coins were inserted. If the deficit persisted for more than around ten seconds, the call was automatically terminated internally. Officially presented on 1 October 1965 by Minister Jacques Marette, the first units entered service in Paris on 15 October 1965. Later updates included chromed zamac dials from 1974. Widely deployed in post offices and public booths, at least 16,000 units were installed, remaining in service until withdrawal in 1982. |
| More info- https://www.publiphonie.fr/ |
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