pay phone story

Name	OTE Payphone 1975
Date	1970s and 1980s
Manufacturer	Unknown, possibly Intracom
Credit	With thanks to- https://collections.otegroupmuseum.gr

OTE Payphone 1975

This robust coin-operated payphone was manufactured in Greece and based on earlier designs by Siemens (not confirmed but likely) for Greece’s state telecommunications authority, OTE. Deployed during the 1970s and 1980s, it appeared in cafés, hotels, stations and other supervised public locations, usually mounted on a wall or counter. Its heavy steel cabinet protected the mechanism and cash box, while separate coin slots accepted 10- and 20-drachma pieces. Earlier examples used a rotary dial; later units were modernised with a push-button keypad. Greek and English instructions assisted tourists, while an indicator warned callers when further payment was required. The armoured handset cord, recessed coin return and lockable casing discouraged vandalism.