| Name | Monedas Coin phones |
| Date | Late 1990s. |
| Manufacturer | Function International (Taiwan and China) |
Development of the Monedas Coin phones
The MONEDAS payphones were operated by Monedas S.A. de C.V., one of the largest independent public payphone companies to emerge in Mexico following the liberalisation of the telecommunications market during the 1990s. Unlike Telmex, which owned and operated the national public telephone network, Monedas functioned as a private Customer Owned Coin Operated Telephone (COCOT) operator. The company installed its payphones in locations such as convenience stores, shopping centres, petrol stations and on public footpaths under agreements with local property owners and municipalities.
Although Telmex rapidly expanded its chip-card and prepaid cardphone network during the 1990s, there remained a continuing need for traditional coin-operated telephones. Many people still relied on cash for local and emergency calls, while tourists and occasional users often did not possess a telephone card. As a result, operators such as Monedas continued to deploy coin-operated payphones, and many adopted the familiar American-style “fortress” design, valued for its rugged construction, resistance to vandalism and ease of maintenance.
The telephones connected to the public switched telephone network using standard analogue telephone lines, with the intelligence contained within the payphone itself rather than in the exchange. This allowed Monedas to manage tariffs, monitor calls and remotely program the units without relying on Telmex’s traditional coin-payphone infrastructure. Many models incorporated LCD displays, electronic coin validation and programmable software.
A distinctive feature of the Monedas network was the inclusion of large advertising panels mounted on both sides of the enclosure. These generated valuable additional income for the operator while making the kiosks more visible on busy streets. The panels regularly displayed colourful campaigns promoting soft drinks, confectionery, mobile services and other consumer products, helping to offset operating costs and support the commercial viability of the network.
The exact manufacturer of the telephone shown remains uncertain. Based on its cabinet layout, keypad arrangement and overall design, it appears likely to be a Protel COCOT platform, or a closely related model produced under licence for the Latin American market. Until a manufacturer’s label or internal documentation is discovered, however, this identification should be regarded as probable rather than confirmed.
Leave a Reply