Payphone Story – Global History of Payphones and Phone Booths
Introduced during the mid-1990s, this modern electronic payphone was widely deployed across South Africa before being replaced by Amper models around 2001. Its design closely resembled contemporary Italian payphones, suggesting either direct importation or local licensed manufacture. Coin and smart-card versions were produced for Telkom’s expanding digital network.
| Name | Rotor payphone |
| Date | c. 1990 |
| Manufacturer | Manufacturer unknown, possibly made in Italy. This attractive payphone was widely deployed before the introduction of the Amper payphones (c. 2001). It was based on a model used very widely in Italy in the 80s and 90s (either made in Italy or made under licence in SA). HEIGHT. 61cm WIDTH. 28cm DEPTH. 24cm |
| Link | Rotor used in Italy. |
Information and images with special thanks to Mark Van Der Heever and Peter Van Almelo
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