| Name | Schlumberger Access 110 payphone |
| Date | 1995 |
| Manufacturer | Schlumberger, France |
| Links | https://amt69.ru/photos/49-schlumberger.html |
Use of the Schlumberger Access 110 Payphone in Russia
The French-made Schlumberger Access 110 illustrates the modernisation of Russian public telephones during the 1990s. This example carries the УРАЛТЕЛЕКОМ (Uraltelecom) name, identifying the regional operator serving Sverdlovsk Oblast around Yekaterinburg in the Urals. Contemporary research confirms that Uraltelecom used Schlumberger Industries equipment alongside Russian products and other imported telecommunications systems.
Its metal faceplate, armoured handset cord, electronic display and push-button keypad were designed for public use. Pictograms explain the calling sequence, while Russian and English labels identify language selection and other functions. Prepaid chip cards provided payment without collecting coins. The faceplate also lists free emergency numbers: 01 for fire, 02 for police, 03 for ambulance and 04 for gas emergencies.
Schlumberger’s Russian involvement extended beyond the Urals. In February 2000, Saint Petersburg operator Baltic Communications Limited announced plans to install 200 Schlumberger payphones accepting chip cards and bank cards. Schlumberger supplied telephones, cards, network management and card-verification systems, supported by offices in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Operators were also exploring arrangements allowing customers to use cards across different networks.
Uraltelecom ceased operating as an independent company in October 2002, joining Uralsvyazinform. This surviving telephone therefore records both imported French technology and a regional identity within Russia’s changing telecommunications industry.
The French-made Schlumberger Access 110 was adopted internationally during the transition from coin-operated telephones to prepaid smart-card systems. Operators included Telecom Éireann in Ireland, Telia in Sweden, Telmex in Mexico and Uraltelecom in Russia. Also common in the UK, Germany, Indonesia and China.
Below- Access 110 Uraltelecom version with special thanks to our friends at the Moscow Payphone Museum https://amt69.ru/
Above- brilliant images from our friend at the Moscow payphone museum
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