| Name | Netcom Rotor HIC6988 cardphone |
| Date | 1990s |
| Manufacturer | Netcom under license from Rotor IPM (Industria Politecnica Meridionale) S.p.A (Italy) |
| Link | Rotor phone used in Italy |
The Netcom Rotor HIC6988 cardphone
The HIC6988 P/T is a card-operated public telephone photographed with China Netcom branding. Its cabinet incorporates an LCD, twelve-button metal keypad, four function buttons, a card slot beneath the display, a side lock and an armoured handset cord. Chinese labels identify language selection, volume adjustment, redial and follow-on calling. Pictograms explain card insertion and the calling sequence.
The inscription “兼容201快捷卡” states compatibility with 201 quick-access cards. The 201 service used prepaid telephone accounts accessed through a card number and password. Compatible cards simplified authentication, reducing the need to enter account details manually. This differs from assuming that credit was stored directly on every card.
China Netcom, identified by the CNC logo and 中国网通 lettering, operated fixed-line telephone, broadband and data services. Its enlarged group was established in May 2002 by combining China Telecom’s operations in ten northern provinces and municipalities with the existing Netcom and Jitong businesses. Netcom merged with China Unicom in October 2008.
The branding suggests a 2000s service history, although neither manufacture date nor installation location is established. The housing resembles Italian Rotor equipment, but no documentation currently confirms IPM manufacture or licensed production. The manufacturer, production dates, deployment quantities and meaning of the P/T suffix therefore remain unverified.
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