Payphone Tag Wiki - User contributions [en]

Telstra Air

2026-05-04T10:50:29Z

Kevin: Created page with "Boulevard payphone equipped with Telstra Air '''Telstra Air''' is Telstra's public Wi-Fi hotspot network, available at thousands of payphone locations across Australia. Wi-Fi enabled payphones are visually identified by a '''magenta (pink) cap''' on top of the cabinet, often accompanied by a "Free Telstra Wi-Fi" sticker on the body of the unit. As of 2024, around 3,000 to 4,000 payphones across the country carry the Telstra Air feat..."

[[File:Boulevard.jpg|thumb|585x585px|Boulevard payphone equipped with Telstra Air]]
'''Telstra Air''' is Telstra's public Wi-Fi hotspot network, available at thousands of payphone locations across Australia. Wi-Fi enabled payphones are visually identified by a '''magenta (pink) cap''' on top of the cabinet, often accompanied by a "Free Telstra Wi-Fi" sticker on the body of the unit. As of 2024, around 3,000 to 4,000 payphones across the country carry the Telstra Air feature, with Telstra having announced plans to progressively upgrade the remaining fleet in the coming years.<ref>[https://www.telstra.com.au/telstra-air Free Wi-Fi is now available to anyone across selected Telstra payphones] - Telstra Exchange, 25 August 2022</ref>

== History ==

=== 2014: Announcement and early trials ===

In April 2014, Telstra announced plans to build one of the world's largest Wi-Fi networks, with the intention of deploying hotspots across payphone sites, retail stores, and opted-in residential modems across Australia.<ref>[https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/media/media-releases/Telstra-switches-on-one-millionth-Telstra-Air-hotspot-opens-network-for-World-WiFi-Day Telstra switches on one millionth Telstra Air hotspot, opens network for World Wi-Fi Day] - Telstra Media Release, June 2017</ref> The service initially trialled under the name '''Telstra WiFi''' as part of a broader "WiFi Nation" push, covering over 4,000 hotspots across 250 towns before the full branded launch.<ref>[https://b3.au/2015/06/fon-comes-to-australia-with-the-launch-of-telstra-air/ Fon comes to Australia with the launch of Telstra Air] - b3.au, June 2015</ref>

=== 2015: Official launch and Fon partnership ===

Telstra Air formally launched on 30 June 2015 under its current name, available to Telstra home broadband customers with a compatible Gateway Max modem. Participating broadband customers shared a portion of their modem's bandwidth with the network, and in exchange gained access to their home broadband allowance at any hotspot on the network.<ref>[https://b3.au/2015/06/fon-comes-to-australia-with-the-launch-of-telstra-air/ Fon comes to Australia with the launch of Telstra Air] - b3.au, June 2015</ref>

At launch, Telstra also announced an exclusive partnership with '''Fon''', a global Wi-Fi community network. This gave Telstra Air members roaming access to over 15 million Fon hotspots across 18 countries including the UK, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, and Brazil, allowing customers to use their home broadband allowance while travelling overseas.<ref>[https://convergedigest.com/telstra-launches-nationwide-wi-fi/ Telstra Launches Nationwide Wi-Fi Service in Partnership with Fon] - Converge Digest</ref> Each hotspot broadcast two SSIDs simultaneously: '''Telstra Air''' and '''Fon Wi-Fi''', both routing to the same captive portal and providing identical speeds.<ref>[https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/telstra_air Telstra Air WiFi Hotspot Network] - Whirlpool Wiki</ref>

Non-Telstra customers could still access the network by purchasing short-term passes, priced at $6.60 for 1 hour, $10 for 1 day, and $23 for 5 days.<ref>[https://b3.au/2015/06/fon-comes-to-australia-with-the-launch-of-telstra-air/ Fon comes to Australia with the launch of Telstra Air] - b3.au, June 2015</ref>

=== December 2015: Mobile customers added ===

In December 2015, Telstra extended Telstra Air access to its personal mobile customers, granting them free and unlimited Wi-Fi data on the network alongside existing home broadband members.<ref>[https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/media/media-releases/Telstra-switches-on-one-millionth-Telstra-Air-hotspot-opens-network-for-World-WiFi-Day Telstra switches on one millionth Telstra Air hotspot, opens network for World Wi-Fi Day] - Telstra Media Release, June 2017</ref>

=== June 2017: One millionth hotspot ===

By June 2017, just two years after the formal launch, the Telstra Air network had grown to over one million hotspots across Australia, the majority of which came from opted-in residential modems rather than payphone or retail sites. Telstra marked the milestone on World Wi-Fi Day 2017.<ref>[https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/media/media-releases/Telstra-switches-on-one-millionth-Telstra-Air-hotspot-opens-network-for-World-WiFi-Day Telstra switches on one millionth Telstra Air hotspot, opens network for World Wi-Fi Day] - Telstra Media Release, June 2017</ref>

=== 2019-2020: Bushfire emergency access ===

During the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfire season, Telstra temporarily made both payphone calls and Telstra Air Wi-Fi free for all users nationwide, regardless of whether they held a Telstra account. This was extended across the entire country given the scale of the emergency.<ref>[https://www.telstra.com.au/exchange/free-payphones-and-hotspots Making payphones and Telstra Air free for all] - Telstra Exchange</ref>

=== August 2021: Payphone calls made permanently free ===

On 3 August 2021, Telstra CEO Andrew Penn announced that all standard local, national, and mobile calls from Telstra payphones would be made permanently free for everyone. This removed the need for coins or calling cards for domestic calls and was accompanied by a 70% increase in call volumes in the following year, with over 250,000 calls made to services such as Triple Zero, Lifeline, and Centrelink.<ref>[https://www.telstra.com.au/exchange/free-payphones-and-hotspots Making payphones and Telstra Air free for all] - Telstra Exchange</ref>

=== August 2022: Wi-Fi made free for all ===

On 25 August 2022, Telstra extended free Wi-Fi access at payphone hotspots to all users, removing the login and account requirement entirely. Around 3,000 payphones were Wi-Fi enabled at this point, with work announced to upgrade the remaining ~12,000 payphones over the following years.<ref>[https://www.telstra.com.au/telstra-air Free Wi-Fi is now available to anyone across selected Telstra payphones] - Telstra Exchange, 25 August 2022</ref> The network SSID visible to users changed from '''Telstra Air''' to '''Free Telstra Wi-Fi''' to reflect the open access model.<ref>[https://www.reviews.org/au/internet/what-is-telstra-air/ Telstra Air is free WiFi for all Aussies] - Reviews.org Australia, October 2024</ref>

=== 2024: Continued rollout ===

By 2024, Telstra reported nearly 4,000 Wi-Fi enabled payphone sites active across the country.<ref>[https://www.telstra.com.au/exchange/free-wifi-telstra-payphone-usage-2024 Free Wi-Fi on Telstra payphones: tracking a boom in usage] - Telstra Exchange</ref> Monthly data consumed across the free payphone Wi-Fi network was described by Telstra as enough to stream over five years of 4K video without stopping. Priority for the ongoing upgrade rollout has been given to disaster-prone and remote communities.

== Identifying a Telstra Air payphone ==

The clearest visual indicator of a Telstra Air capable payphone is its '''magenta (pink) cap'''. Standard non-Wi-Fi payphones have an orange cap. Some units also carry a "Free Telstra Wi-Fi" sticker on the cabinet body and/or display a white Wi-Fi fan symbol on the cap itself.

This distinction is documented on the [[Cabinet]] article, which notes that Wi-Fi enabled payphones use a magenta cap while standard payphones use an orange one.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Feature !! Standard payphone !! Telstra Air payphone
|-
| Cap colour || Orange || Magenta (pink)
|-
| Wi-Fi sticker on body || No || Sometimes
|-
| Wi-Fi symbol on cap || No || Sometimes
|-
| Free calls || Yes || Yes
|-
| Free Wi-Fi || No || Yes
|}

== Connecting to Telstra Air ==

Connecting to a Telstra Air hotspot does not require any app or account. The steps are:

# Enable Wi-Fi on your device.
# Select '''Free Telstra Wi-Fi''' from your device's Wi-Fi list.
# A captive portal page will open automatically. If it does not, open any website in your browser and you will be redirected.
# Read and accept the terms and conditions, then tap '''Agree And Connect'''.
# You are now connected.

Once connected to one hotspot, your device may automatically reconnect to other Telstra Air hotspots in future.

=== Speed and range ===

Real-world speeds vary considerably depending on location, backhaul connection type, and the number of users connected at the time. Payphones provisioned over ADSL2+ connections may deliver speeds well below 1 Mbps under load, while fibre-connected locations and Telstra retail stores can achieve considerably higher speeds. Standing within a few metres of the payphone yields the best results; moving too far away will typically cause a device to fall back to mobile data.<ref>[https://www.reviews.org/au/internet/what-is-telstra-air/ Telstra Air is free WiFi for all Aussies] - Reviews.org Australia, October 2024</ref>

=== Security ===

Telstra Air is an open public network. Telstra advises against using it for sensitive activities such as online banking. Using a VPN when connected is recommended to protect personal data, though this may reduce speeds further.

== Community impact ==

Free payphone Wi-Fi has been highlighted by Telstra as an important tool for digital inclusion. Identified user groups include remote and regional communities relying on payphones to access health and government services, people in financial hardship who lack a home internet connection or sufficient mobile data, and communities in disaster-affected areas where fixed-line and mobile infrastructure has been disrupted.<ref>[https://www.telstra.com.au/exchange/free-wifi-telstra-payphone-usage-2024 Free Wi-Fi on Telstra payphones: tracking a boom in usage] - Telstra Exchange</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Cabinet]]
* [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]

== References ==

<references />

Cabinet

2026-05-04T10:38:38Z

Kevin: Added Telstra Air Link

The cabinet is the structure housing the payphone that contains the electrical and telephonic equipment needed for a [[Telstra Smart Payphone]] to be operational. Indoor payphones are typically very simple, whereas outdoor payphones additionally have a limited amount of cover from the weather.

Very rarely, a payphone does not have a visible cabinet of any kind.

== Standard cabinet types ==
This is a summary of the standard cabinet types:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Summary of standard cabinet types
!Internal name
!Photo
!Size
!Locations
!Installation dates
|-
|Boulevard
|[[File:Boulevard.jpg|thumb]]
|Full width
|Indoor and outdoor
|?
|-
|FLPC
|[[File:FLPC.jpg|alt=FLPC|thumb]]
|Full width
|Outdoor
|?
|-
|Streetcab
|Example Needed
|Full width
|Outdoor
|?
|-
|Prestige
|Example Needed
|Full width
|Outdoor
|?
|-
|Majestic
|[[File:Majestic.jpg|alt=Majestic Payphone Cabinet Type|thumb]]
|Half width
|Indoor and outdoor
|?
|-
|Telebox
|[[File:Telebox.jpg|alt=Telebox|thumb]]
|Half width
|Indoor and outdoor
|?
|-
|Clearline
|[[File:Clearline.jpg|alt=Clearline|thumb]]
|Slim
|Indoor
|?
|-
|Slimline
|[[File:Slimline.jpg|thumb]]
|Slim
|Indoor
|?
|-
|Modular
|[[File:Modular.jpg|alt=Modular|thumb]]
|Slim
|Indoor
|?
|-
|Digital-V1
|Example Needed
|Double width
|Outdoor
|?
|-
|Digital-V2
|Example Needed
|Double width
|Outdoor
|?
|-
|Billboard
|Example Needed
|Double width
|Outdoor
|?
|-
|Red Box
|Example Needed
|Full width
|Outdoor
|?
|}

Note that there is some level of variation in the construction of some of these models.

== Cap colour ==
Many models of cabinet have a cap. The cap of a payphone is typically orange, or in the case of a [[Telstra Air|Wi-Fi enabled Telstra Air payphone]], magenta. However, other colours can occasionally be found. These do not appear to have any significance and may simply be decorative for aesthetic or marketing purposes.

Template:Payphone

2026-05-04T05:15:09Z

Kevin:

[[Category:Payphones]]
<noinclude>
This template is used to document individual payphones. See [[Template:Payphone/doc]] for usage instructions.
</noinclude><includeonly>
= {{{phone|Unknown}}} =

== Details ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Phone Number || {{{phone|Unknown}}}
|-
! Cabinet ID || {{{cab|Unknown}}}
|-
! Payphone ID || {{{id|Unknown}}}
|}

== Status ==
{{#if:{{{id|}}}|<ptPayphone id="{{{id}}}"/>|''No payphone ID set.''}}

== Location ==
{{{locationnotes|''No additional location notes.''}}}

== Gallery ==
{{{gallery|''No photos available.''}}}

== Notes ==
{{{notes|''No additional notes.''}}}

</includeonly>

Template:Payphone/doc

2026-05-04T05:13:02Z

Kevin: /* Basic usage */

= How to Use the Payphone Template =
This page explains how to create a new payphone article using the {{[[Template:Payphone|Payphone]]}} template.

== Creating a new page ==
# Navigate to the page title for the payphone you want to document. Page titles should follow the format '''Payphones:5922''' where 5922 is the payphone ID. Do not include a # symbol.
# Paste the template call below into the page and fill in the parameters.

== Basic usage ==
<pre>{{Payphone
| phone = 0455462209
| cab = 07552980X1
| id = 4733
}}</pre>

== All parameters ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Parameter !! Description !! Required?
|-
| <code>phone</code> || The payphone's full phone number. Also used as the page heading. || Yes
|-
| <code>cab</code> || The cabinet ID for the payphone unit. || Yes
|-
| <code>id</code> || The unique payphone ID number. Used to embed the live status widget. || Yes
|-
| <code>locationnotes</code> || A written description of where the payphone is. Include nearby landmarks, street corners, or notable features. || No
|-
| <code>gallery</code> || One or more image tags, e.g. <code><nowiki>[[File:Example.jpg|thumb|Caption]]</nowiki></code> || No
|-
| <code>notes</code> || Any other relevant information about this payphone. || No
|}

== Full example ==
<pre>
{{Payphone
| phone = 0298765432
| cab = CAB-042
| id = 5922
| locationnotes = Corner of Church Street and Darcy Street, next to Parramatta train station's western entrance.
| gallery = [[File:Payphone-5922.jpg|thumb|Payphone 5922, Church St Parramatta]]
| notes = One of the few remaining operational booths in the Parramatta CBD.
}}
</pre>

== What the template displays ==
The template renders the following sections on the page:

* '''Details''' - a table showing the phone number, cabinet ID, and payphone ID.
* '''Status''' - a live status widget pulled automatically from the game using the payphone ID.
* '''Location''' - the contents of <code>locationnotes</code>, or a placeholder if omitted.
* '''Gallery''' - any images provided, or a placeholder if omitted.
* '''Notes''' - any extra notes provided, or a placeholder if omitted.

== Tips ==
* If you do not know a value, leave the parameter out entirely. The template will display "Unknown" or a placeholder in its place.
* The payphone ID can be found in the URL when viewing a payphone on [[https://payphonetag.com|payphonetag.com]], or on the map popup.
* To add references, use standard MediaWiki <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code> tags anywhere in the parameters and add <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code> at the bottom of the page.
* Photos can be uploaded via [[Special:Upload]] and then referenced in the <code>gallery</code> parameter.

Template:Payphone/doc

2026-05-04T05:11:57Z

Kevin:

= How to Use the Payphone Template =
This page explains how to create a new payphone article using the {{[[Template:Payphone|Payphone]]}} template.

== Creating a new page ==
# Navigate to the page title for the payphone you want to document. Page titles should follow the format '''Payphones:5922''' where 5922 is the payphone ID. Do not include a # symbol.
# Paste the template call below into the page and fill in the parameters.

== Basic usage ==
<pre>{{Payphone
| phone = 0298765432
| cab = CAB-001
| id = 5922
}}</pre>

== All parameters ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Parameter !! Description !! Required?
|-
| <code>phone</code> || The payphone's full phone number. Also used as the page heading. || Yes
|-
| <code>cab</code> || The cabinet ID for the payphone unit. || No
|-
| <code>id</code> || The unique payphone ID number. Used to embed the live status widget. || Yes
|-
| <code>locationnotes</code> || A written description of where the payphone is. Include nearby landmarks, street corners, or notable features. || No
|-
| <code>gallery</code> || One or more image tags, e.g. <code><nowiki>[[File:Example.jpg|thumb|Caption]]</nowiki></code> || No
|-
| <code>notes</code> || Any other relevant information about this payphone. || No
|}

== Full example ==
<pre>
{{Payphone
| phone = 0298765432
| cab = CAB-042
| id = 5922
| locationnotes = Corner of Church Street and Darcy Street, next to Parramatta train station's western entrance.
| gallery = [[File:Payphone-5922.jpg|thumb|Payphone 5922, Church St Parramatta]]
| notes = One of the few remaining operational booths in the Parramatta CBD.
}}
</pre>

== What the template displays ==
The template renders the following sections on the page:

* '''Details''' - a table showing the phone number, cabinet ID, and payphone ID.
* '''Status''' - a live status widget pulled automatically from the game using the payphone ID.
* '''Location''' - the contents of <code>locationnotes</code>, or a placeholder if omitted.
* '''Gallery''' - any images provided, or a placeholder if omitted.
* '''Notes''' - any extra notes provided, or a placeholder if omitted.

== Tips ==
* If you do not know a value, leave the parameter out entirely. The template will display "Unknown" or a placeholder in its place.
* The payphone ID can be found in the URL when viewing a payphone on [[https://payphonetag.com|payphonetag.com]], or on the map popup.
* To add references, use standard MediaWiki <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code> tags anywhere in the parameters and add <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code> at the bottom of the page.
* Photos can be uploaded via [[Special:Upload]] and then referenced in the <code>gallery</code> parameter.

Template:Payphone/doc

2026-05-04T05:08:26Z

Kevin: /* Basic usage */

= How to Use the Payphone Template =

This page explains how to create a new payphone article using the {{[[Template:Payphone|Payphone]]}} template.

== Creating a new page ==

# Navigate to the page title for the payphone you want to document. Page titles should follow the format '''Payphones:5922''' where 5922 is the payphone ID. Do not include a # symbol.
# Paste the template call below into the page and fill in the parameters.

== Basic usage ==

<pre>{{Payphone
| phone = 0298765432
| id = 5922
| suburb = Parramatta
}}</pre>

== All parameters ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Parameter !! Description !! Required?
|-
| <code>phone</code> || The payphone's full phone number || Yes
|-
| <code>display</code> || Override for the displayed phone number (e.g. formatted differently). Defaults to <code>phone</code> if not set. || No
|-
| <code>id</code> || The unique payphone ID number || Yes
|-
| <code>suburb</code> || Suburb where the payphone is located || Yes
|-
| <code>state</code> || Australian state or territory (e.g. NSW, VIC, QLD) || Yes
|-
| <code>postcode</code> || Postcode || Yes
|-
| <code>lat</code> || Latitude coordinate || Yes
|-
| <code>lng</code> || Longitude coordinate || Yes
|-
| <code>status</code> || Current status of the payphone. Common values: '''Operational''', '''Removed''', '''Damaged''', '''Unknown''' || Yes
|-
| <code>location</code> || A written description of where the payphone is. Include nearby landmarks, street corners, or notable features. || No
|-
| <code>history</code> || Any known history about this payphone. || No
|-
| <code>gallery</code> || One or more image tags, e.g. <code><nowiki>[[File:Example.jpg|thumb|Caption]]</nowiki></code> || No
|-
| <code>notes</code> || Any other relevant information. || No
|}

== Full example ==

<pre>
{{Payphone
| phone = 0298765432
| id = 5922
| suburb = Parramatta
| state = NSW
| postcode = 2150
| lat = -33.8136
| lng = 150.9986
| status = Operational
| location = Located on the corner of Church Street and Darcy Street, adjacent to Parramatta train station's western entrance.
| history = Installed circa 2003. Reported as still active as of 2024.
| gallery = [[File:Payphone-5922.jpg|thumb|Payphone 5922, Church St Parramatta]]
| notes = This payphone is one of the few remaining operational booths in the Parramatta CBD.
}}
</pre>

== Tips ==

* If you do not know a value, you can leave the parameter out entirely. The template will display "Unknown" in its place.
* Coordinates can be found using Google Maps. Right-click a location and copy the latitude/longitude values shown.
* The <code>status</code> field is freeform but try to use consistent values across articles so they can be categorised easily later.
* To add references, use standard MediaWiki <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code> tags anywhere in the parameters and they will appear under the References section automatically.

Template:Payphone

2026-05-04T05:07:32Z

Kevin:

[[Category:Payphones]]
<noinclude>
This template is used to document individual payphones. See [[Template:Payphone/doc]] for usage instructions.
</noinclude><includeonly>
= {{{phone|Unknown}}} =

== Details ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Phone Number || {{{phone|Unknown}}}
|-
! Cabinet ID || {{{cab|Unknown}}}
|-
! Payphone ID || {{{id|Unknown}}}
|}

== Status ==
<ptPayphone id="{{{id|Unknown}}}"/>

== Location ==
{{{locationnotes|''No additional location notes.''}}}

== Gallery ==
{{{gallery|''No photos available.''}}}

== Notes ==
{{{notes|''No additional notes.''}}}

</includeonly>

Template:Infobox/Payphone

2026-05-04T04:55:44Z

Kevin: Infobox created with infobox builder.

<infobox><title source="title"><default>{{PAGENAME}}</default></title><image source="image"><default>[[File:Telstra-Logo.png]]</default></image><data source="id"><label>Phone ID</label><default>#0000</default></data><data source="cabinet"><label>Cabinet ID</label></data><data source="phone"><label>Phone Number</label></data></infobox>

File:Telstra-Logo.png

2026-05-04T04:29:35Z

Kevin:

Telstra Smart Payphone

2026-05-04T04:21:54Z

Kevin: Added links to cabinet page

{{Infobox payphone
| name = Telstra Smart Payphone
| image = 
| caption = A Telstra Smart Payphone in service
| manufacturer = Infopyme / Amper / Siemens-Elasa platform family; maintained by Telstra
| operator = Telstra
| country = Australia
| introduced = c. 1997
| payment = Free standard Australian calls; Telstra Phonecard or calling card for charged destinations
| variants = Phonecard-only, coin/Phonecard, TTY, Wi-Fi-enabled cabinets
}}

The '''Telstra Smart Payphone''' is the current standard public telephone used by [[Telstra]] in Australia. It replaced earlier Telecom Australia and Telstra public payphone types and is the model most commonly encountered by Payphonetag players.

Telstra describes the Smart Payphone as its latest public payphone. Published features include SMS sending to Australian mobiles, a large back-lit display showing the number dialled and remaining credit, visual or audible low-credit and end-of-call warnings, a hearing-aid coupler, four-step volume control, and redial.<ref name="telstra-smart">''Telstra Smart Payphone'', Telstra Consumer Advice, [https://www.telstra.com.au/consumer-advice/payphones/smart-payphone](https://www.telstra.com.au/consumer-advice/payphones/smart-payphone). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref>

Although still generally called a ''payphone'', ordinary domestic use of Telstra public phones is now free. Telstra states that standard national and mobile calls are free from all Telstra payphones, and that from 8 October 2021 payphones stopped accepting coins. Calls to international and other charged destinations require a Telstra Phonecard or other third-party calling card.<ref name="telstra-payphones">''Payphone services'', Telstra Consumer Advice, [https://www.telstra.com.au/consumer-advice/payphones](https://www.telstra.com.au/consumer-advice/payphones). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref>

== History ==

Public telephones have been part of the Australian telephone network since the 1880s. The Telstra Smart Payphone belongs to the late-1990s generation of electronic public telephones designed around smartcard payment, display-based prompting, programmable tariffs and automatic fault reporting.

Contemporary press coverage in ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' shows Telstra's smart-card public telephone technology was being covered publicly during the late-1990s rollout period.<ref name="smh-smart">''Using our new Smart Payphones and Smart Phonecards is easy'', Telstra advertisement, ''The Sydney Morning Herald'', Fairfax Media clipping via Newspapers.com, [https://fairfaxmedia.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-telstra-smart/196788410/](https://fairfaxmedia.newspapers.com/article/the-sydney-morning-herald-telstra-smart/196788410/). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref>

Collector sources identify the Australian Smart Payphone as part of the Amper-developed '''MPP''' or '''Multi Purpose Payphone''' platform, with early units made in Spain and adapted for Australian weather and vandal-resistance.<ref name="payphonestory-ct10">''Telstra Smart Payphone (MPP X1)'', Pay phone Story, 28 May 2025, [https://payphonestory.com/2025/05/28/ct-10-telstra-smart-payphone/](https://payphonestory.com/2025/05/28/ct-10-telstra-smart-payphone/). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref> The model is commonly said to have been introduced in 1997 to replace the CT3 series, with early deployments in Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Sydney.<ref name="payphonestory-ct10" /> The current manufacturer appears to be '''Infopyme Comunicaciones''', a Spanish public-telephony manufacturer that describes itself as designing, manufacturing, assembling and repairing public telephones and spare parts for operators around the world.<ref name="infopyme-company">''Manufacture, assembly and repair of public telephones'', Infopyme Comunicaciones, [https://www.infopyme.com/en/company/public-payphones-manufacturer](https://www.infopyme.com/en/company/public-payphones-manufacturer). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref>

The Telstra Smart Payphone appears to be a Telstra-specific variant of Infopyme's '''TMI''' public-payphone platform, or of the same Amper/Siemens-Elasa/Infopyme product lineage. This identification is based on manufacturer lineage and visual/collector comparison rather than a Telstra-published model sheet, so it should be treated as probable rather than formally confirmed.

Early units were reportedly modified or retrofitted after problems with durability, weather exposure and vandalism. Later Australian examples have heavier stainless-steel casing and improved coin-security hardware on coin-capable variants.<ref name="payphonestory-ct10" />

At some point in the mid-2000s, the Smart Payphone firmware and/or service platform was updated to allow SMS sending. Telstra's current payphone terms state that some public payphones can send SMS messages to compatible Australian mobile and fixed services, although payphones cannot receive SMS replies.<ref name="telstra-terms">''Public Payphones Section: Our Customer Terms'', Telstra, last changed 9 November 2023, [https://www.telstra.com.au/content/dam/tcom/personal/consumer-advice/pdf/pubpayphones.pdf](https://www.telstra.com.au/content/dam/tcom/personal/consumer-advice/pdf/pubpayphones.pdf). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref>

In 2019 Telstra enabled incoming calls on many public payphones. Telstra later stated that publicly accessible payphones could receive incoming telephone calls, and Telstra's current public-payphone terms state that some payphones allow incoming calls at no charge.<ref name="telstra-2019-media">''Payphones deliver vital community service'', Telstra, 11 October 2019, [https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/media/media-releases/Payphones-deliver-vital-community-service](https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/media/media-releases/Payphones-deliver-vital-community-service). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref><ref name="telstra-terms" />

In August 2021 Telstra made local calls, national calls to standard fixed-line numbers and calls to standard Australian mobiles free from public payphones.<ref name="telstra-freecalls">''Why we’re making payphones free for calls around Australia'', Telstra Exchange, 29 September 2022, [https://www.telstra.com.au/exchange/payphones-free-for-calls-australia](https://www.telstra.com.au/exchange/payphones-free-for-calls-australia). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref> Coin acceptance ended from 8 October 2021.<ref name="telstra-payphones" />

With the rollout of the NBN and the progressive decommissioning of copper-based POTS services, many Smart Payphones in metropolitan areas have been converted to use Telstra's cellular network rather than a traditional copper telephone line. In the field, these can often be identified by the telephone number shown on the payphone's <nowiki>[[cabinet]]</nowiki> label: cellular-connected payphones commonly have numbers beginning with '''04''' rather than a fixed-line area code.

From 2022, Telstra began converting enabled payphones into free Wi-Fi hotspots. Telstra stated that free Wi-Fi became available at selected enabled payphones from 25 August 2022, and that around 3,000 Wi-Fi-enabled payphones had been upgraded by 2023.<ref name="telstra-wifi">''Free Wi-Fi is now available to anyone across selected Telstra payphones'', Telstra Exchange, 7 November 2023, [https://www.telstra.com.au/exchange/free-wi-fi-is-now-available-to-anyone-across-selected-telstra-pa](https://www.telstra.com.au/exchange/free-wi-fi-is-now-available-to-anyone-across-selected-telstra-pa). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref>

== Variants ==

=== Phonecard-only Smart Payphone ===

A less common version is the '''Phonecard-only''' or card-only Smart Payphone. These units do not have a usable coin mechanism and rely on the Telstra Phonecard or a compatible calling card for charged destinations. Standard Australian fixed-line and mobile calls are free.<ref name="telstra-payphones" />

=== Coin and Phonecard Smart Payphone ===

The most common Smart Payphone variant still encountered in the field is the '''coin and Phonecard''' model. These units were originally fitted with both a coin mechanism and a Telstra Phonecard slot. Collector sources state that coin-capable units accepted Australian 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 coins.<ref name="payphonestory-ct10" />

After Telstra made standard Australian national and mobile calls free in 2021, coin acceptance was later disabled across Telstra public payphones. Telstra states that payphones stopped accepting coins from 8 October 2021.<ref name="telstra-payphones" /> As a result, many coin/Phonecard Smart Payphones still physically have a coin slot, coin return and related hardware, but the coin mechanism should be treated as disabled rather than usable. The Phonecard slot may still be usable for charged destinations and Phonecard-specific functions.

=== TTY Smart Payphone ===

Some Telstra payphones were modified with a '''TTY''' or teletypewriter facility for people who are deaf or have a communication impairment. Telstra states that around 100 payphones have been modified to include a TTY facility. TTY-equipped payphones can be found through Telstra's Payphone Locator by searching for the ''Teletypewriter (TTY)'' feature.<ref name="telstra-tty">''TTY Payphones'', Telstra Consumer Advice, [https://www.telstra.com.au/consumer-advice/payphones/tty-payphones](https://www.telstra.com.au/consumer-advice/payphones/tty-payphones). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref>

TTY units are visually distinct and are of particular interest to Payphonetag players. The TTY keyboard used with Telstra payphones is an '''Ultratec Pay Phone TDD''' keyboard. The keyboard slides out when TTY tones are detected over the phone line. Many units appear to have seen little regular use in recent years, so players should not assume that the TTY attachment is working unless tested.

TTY payphones that have been converted to use Telstra's 4G/cellular network, usually identifiable by an '''04''' number on the <nowiki>[[cabinet]]</nowiki> label, are currently reported not to work correctly with TTY. Telstra is aware of the issue and has stated that it is working on a solution.

=== Wi-Fi-enabled cabinets ===

Some Smart Payphones are installed in <nowiki>[[cabinet]]</nowiki>s or surrounds that also provide free Telstra Wi-Fi. Telstra says users can connect by selecting the ''Free Telstra Wi-Fi'' network and accepting the portal terms.<ref name="telstra-wifi" /> Wi-Fi-enabled sites may have additional branding, antennas or <nowiki>[[cabinet]]</nowiki> modifications.

Field observations suggest that Telstra Air / Free Telstra Wi-Fi-enabled payphones often use conventional domestic-style Telstra Smart Modems installed within the booth's roof ''hat'' or inside a Telstra Air cube enclosure mounted above the booth roof.

== Telstra Smart Phonecard ==

The '''Telstra Smart Phonecard''' is the stored-value contact smartcard used by the Telstra Smart Payphone. The modern Telstra Phonecard is sold as a pre-paid card for international, mobile satellite and other chargeable calls from Telstra payphones. Telstra lists current denominations of $5, $10 and $20, sold at selected Telstra Stores and retail outlets.<ref name="telstra-phonecard-page">''Calling cards'', Telstra, [https://www.telstra.com.au/phone-line/calling-cards](https://www.telstra.com.au/phone-line/calling-cards). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref>

At launch, Telstra distinguished the new Smart Phonecard from the older Telstra Phonecard. A contemporary Telstra newspaper advertisement said the new card used ''Smart chip technology'' and was identified by a red arrow. The advertisement stated that Smart Phonecards would only operate in new Telstra Public Payphones displaying the same red arrow, while older green-arrow Phonecards would only operate in older Telstra payphones.<ref name="smh-smart" />

=== Technical details ===

The Telstra Smart Phonecard is not a PIN card and is not a general-purpose processor smartcard in the same sense as a SIM card or banking card. It is a synchronous contact memory/counter card. Telstra's current Phonecard information states that no PIN or access number is required, and that the card is used simply by inserting it into a Telstra payphone and dialling.<ref name="telstra-phonecard-page" />

The chip used in the Telstra Smart Phonecard has been identified by hobbyist and collector testing as the '''Siemens/Infineon SLE 4436''' family. The SLE 4436/36E was specifically designed for prepaid telephone-card applications. Manufacturer information describes it as containing 221 bits of EEPROM memory, 16 bits of ROM, a control/security unit, and a computing unit for chip authentication.<ref name="sle4436">''SLE 4436/36E Short Product Information'', Infineon Technologies, [https://cardplus.ru/wp-content/themes/new_templete/files/sle4436.pdf](https://cardplus.ru/wp-content/themes/new_templete/files/sle4436.pdf). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref>

The SLE 4436 memory layout includes a counter, identification data such as serial number and expiry date, and data areas.<ref name="sle4436" /> This fits the practical behaviour of a Telstra Smart Phonecard: the payphone can read the card identity and remaining value, decrement the stored credit during chargeable calls, and also store small user-programmed data such as an autodial number.

This one-way memory behaviour also explains why the Telstra Smart Payphone warns that an autodial number can only be programmed into a Phonecard once. Programming the autodial field consumes the relevant writable bits on the card. Because the card cannot erase those bits back to their original state, the payphone cannot safely offer repeated attempts or later edits in the way a normal rewritable memory card could.

The card's value storage should be understood as a one-way electronic counter rather than a rewritable balance field. In normal card operation, memory is not erased before writing, so bits can only be programmed from binary '''1''' to binary '''0'''.<ref name="acr38-sle4436">''ACR38x Smart Card Reader Reference Manual'', ACS, section on SLE 4406/SLE 4436/SLE 5536/SLE 6636 memory cards, [https://www.cardlogix.com/wp-content/uploads/ACS-ACR38x-Smart-Card-Reader-Reference-Sheet_6.03.pdf](https://www.cardlogix.com/wp-content/uploads/ACS-ACR38x-Smart-Card-Reader-Reference-Sheet_6.03.pdf). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref> In practical terms, once a counter bit or value stage has been consumed, ordinary payphone operations cannot turn it back into unused credit. This is more technically accurate than saying the chip is literally ''blown like a fuse'', but the effect is similar: the card is designed for controlled devaluation, not recharging or reuse.

The SLE 4436 also supports write modes intended for telephone-card counter operation, including ''write with carry'' and backup-protected write modes.<ref name="acr38-sle4436" /> The backup mechanism is intended to reduce value corruption if the card is removed during a counter update. Manufacturer information also describes a challenge-response authentication unit, used so the terminal can verify that the card is genuine rather than a simple unprotected memory device.<ref name="sle4436" />

Telstra's Phonecard terms state that the card's stored value cannot be increased and that the card ends when the stored value reaches zero or when the end date shown on the card is reached.<ref name="phonecard-terms">''Telstra Phonecard: Things you need to know'', Telstra, [https://www.telstra.com.au/content/dam/tcom/personal/home-phone/pdf/phonecard-terms.pdf](https://www.telstra.com.au/content/dam/tcom/personal/home-phone/pdf/phonecard-terms.pdf). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref> This matches the one-way counter design: a spent Smart Phonecard is not normally reset or topped up.

=== Expiry-date field note ===

Telstra's Phonecard terms state that Phonecards end on the date shown on the back of the card or when the stored value reaches zero, and that Telstra does not promise that a card will work after its end date.<ref name="phonecard-terms" />

Payphonetag players have observed that some recently issued Phonecards with a 2025 expiry date continue to function after the printed expiry date. Telstra Shop staff at Telstra's flagship Sydney store in Pitt Street Mall have also reportedly advised purchasers that these cards will continue to work after expiry. This should be treated as staff advice and field observation only, not a formal Telstra guarantee.

Anyone buying an expired or near-expired Phonecard should ask for a receipt and test the card as soon as practical after purchase. If the card does not work, the receipt will be useful when returning to the store or seeking assistance.

=== Contact oxidation ===

Because Phonecard slots have seen little use for many years, the contacts in the reader may be dirty or oxidised. If a known-good Phonecard is not read immediately, gently insert and remove the card several times. Do not force the card, insert foreign objects, spray cleaners into the slot, or damage the phone.

Telstra also promoted the Smart Phonecard as a possible stored-value payment system beyond payphones, stating that Smart Phonecards would soon be accepted in vending machines for snacks and drinks.<ref name="smh-smart" /> The extent of any later vending-machine rollout is unclear.

== Call charges and tariffs ==

For ordinary Payphonetag use, standard Australian fixed-line and mobile calls should be treated as free, consistent with Telstra's current consumer advice.<ref name="telstra-payphones" /> Since Telstra stopped accepting coins in 2021, remaining chargeable calls require a Telstra Phonecard or other supported calling card.<ref name="telstra-payphones" />

The current practical charging position is:

<table class="wikitable">
<tr>
<th>Call type</th>
<th>Current status</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Standard Australian fixed-line calls, including local and national landline calls</td>
<td>Free</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Standard Australian mobile calls</td>
<td>Free</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Domestic satellite and special mobile satellite services</td>
<td>Chargeable; Phonecard or supported calling card required</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>International calls</td>
<td>Chargeable; Phonecard or supported calling card required</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Domestic SMS from a public payphone, where supported</td>
<td>Free</td>
</tr>
</table>

Telstra's public-payphone customer terms still publish tariff details for chargeable services, including domestic satellite calls and international calls.<ref name="telstra-terms" /> International calls are charged by destination in seconds per 50c. Examples from Telstra's current table include 600 seconds per 50c to the United States, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Thailand, Bangladesh and South Korea; 120 seconds per 50c to the United Kingdom, France, Greece, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines; and 60 seconds per 50c to New Zealand, Germany, Italy and Ireland.<ref name="telstra-terms" />

Telstra's terms also state that some public payphones can send an SMS of up to 136 characters to a compatible Australian mobile or fixed service, but that payphones cannot receive or reply to SMS, cannot send SMS to 13x, 13xx, 180x or international services, and that SMS from a payphone is not suitable for emergencies.<ref name="telstra-terms" />

== Payphonetag tips ==

=== Reporting faults ===

The official Telstra payphone fault line is '''180 22 44'''. Telstra states that this is a free call from Telstra payphones and operates 24/7. Useful details include the location, the payphone number or <nowiki>[[cabinet]]</nowiki> ID, a description of the fault, and details of any physical damage.<ref name="telstra-faults">''Reporting faults'', Telstra Consumer Advice, [https://www.telstra.com.au/consumer-advice/payphones/reporting-faults](https://www.telstra.com.au/consumer-advice/payphones/reporting-faults). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref>

In practice, Payphonetag players have found that the quickest way to submit ordinary non-urgent fault reports is usually '''Snap Send Solve'''. Telstra's damaged-equipment page directs non-urgent damage reports through Snap Send Solve, and Snap Send Solve says it can send Telstra equipment reports directly to Telstra.<ref name="telstra-damage">''Report damages to Telstra equipment'', Telstra Consumer Advice, [https://www.telstra.com.au/consumer-advice/digging-construction/report-damages](https://www.telstra.com.au/consumer-advice/digging-construction/report-damages). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref><ref name="snap-telstra">''Report Damaged Telstra Equipment'', Snap Send Solve, 15 April 2026, [https://www.snapsendsolve.com/report/damaged-telstra-equipment](https://www.snapsendsolve.com/report/damaged-telstra-equipment). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref>

As of current Payphonetag field reports, the best Snap Send Solve category to use is usually '''Telstra – Phonebox Graffiti''', even if the problem is not graffiti. This appears to route the report to a Telstra staff member or Telstra workflow where the appropriate payphone fault can be logged. Include a clear description such as ''handset missing'', ''no dial tone'', ''screen blank'', ''keypad not responding'', ''card reader not reading cards'', ''TTY not working'', or ''line noisy''.

For faults that create an immediate safety risk, such as exposed wiring, overhead cable damage, injury or damage to property, follow Telstra's urgent-damage advice instead: call '''13 22 03''' and say ''report damages''.<ref name="telstra-damage" />

=== Incoming calls and caller ID ===

Almost all Telstra Smart Payphones can receive incoming calls. The payphone will usually ring and can be answered by lifting the handset. Payphones also normally display outgoing caller ID when making a call, which is useful for confirming the number assigned to a payphone and matching it to its cabinet label.

There are exceptions at sensitive locations, such as mental health crisis wards, prisons, rehabilitation facilities and similar controlled environments. At these sites, outgoing caller ID may be blocked and appear as a private number. Incoming calls may still wake the phone, but the display may not show an incoming-call message. If the handset is lifted, the phone may display '''SERVICE NOT AVAILABLE - HANG UP''' rather than connecting the incoming call.

A notable exception is outgoing SMS. Even where outgoing voice caller ID appears to be blocked, outgoing SMS messages may still display the payphone's caller ID.

=== Follow On button ===

The '''Follow On''' button was originally used to allow remaining coin credit to be used for an additional call without the user having to insert more coins. Since coins are no longer accepted and standard Australian calls are free, the button has little practical purpose for payment. It can still be useful for quickly starting another call without waiting for the payphone to go through its full reset cycle.

=== Using a TTY payphone with Payphonetag ===

A TTY-equipped Telstra Smart Payphone can be triggered by calling the Payphonetag number. After entering the required PIN, Payphonetag sends the modem/TTY tones needed to activate the Ultratec Pay Phone TDD keyboard. Once the keyboard slides out, type a message using the TTY keyboard. The message will be decoded and displayed in the '''#tty''' channel of the Payphonetag Discord.

This is useful for testing whether the TTY attachment is still functional. If the keyboard does not slide out, the TTY unit, phone line, handset path, detection circuit or Payphonetag-side call path may be faulty. If the payphone has an '''04''' number on its <nowiki>[[cabinet]]</nowiki> label, it may be one of the 4G-converted TTY payphones currently affected by Telstra's known TTY issue.

=== Dialling when the keypad is not working properly ===

If the numeric keypad is damaged but the card key and card reader still work, a Telstra Phonecard can sometimes be used to autodial a stored number.

<ol>
<li>Find another Smart Payphone with a working keypad and working Phonecard reader.</li>
<li>Insert the Telstra Phonecard.</li>
<li>Press '''OK''' to enter the menu.</li>
<li>Select '''Option 3''' for the Phonecard autodial/programming function.</li>
<li>Program the target number into the Phonecard.</li>
<li>At the payphone with the damaged keypad, insert the programmed Phonecard.</li>
<li>Press the '''card''' key to autodial the stored number. The card key is the first key from the top on the left-most row of the keypad.</li>
</ol>

This is useful where the keypad has failed or certain digits do not register. It will not help if the hookswitch, handset, line, display, card reader or card key is faulty.

=== Entering a Payphonetag PIN with a tone dialling app ===

If the payphone keypad is partly or completely broken, it may still be possible to call Payphonetag and enter a PIN using DTMF tones generated by a mobile phone.

First, place the call to '''07 LOADTALK''' — '''07 5623 8255''' — using a Phonecard autodial entry, or by dialling normally if the broken key is not needed for the Payphonetag number. Once the call is connected, use a tone dialling app on a mobile phone to play the PIN digits into the payphone handset microphone.

The mobile phone volume must be adjusted carefully. If it is too loud, the tones may distort and fail to decode; if it is too quiet, the payphone microphone may not pick them up reliably. Hold the mobile phone speaker near the payphone mouthpiece and listen through the payphone earpiece while adjusting the volume to find the cleanest level.

=== Finding a Telstra Phonecard ===

Telstra Shop staff may not know what a Telstra Phonecard is, especially because they are now rarely requested. When asking for one, avoid only saying ''calling card'', as staff may think of mobile recharge vouchers, international PIN cards or discontinued products.

Useful wording:

<blockquote>
I’m after a '''Telstra Phonecard calling card''' for use in Telstra payphones. Telstra’s website lists it under '''Calling cards''' and says it is available in '''$5, $10 and $20''' denominations at selected Telstra Stores and retail outlets.
</blockquote>

It may help to show staff Telstra's ''Calling cards'' page, which states that Telstra Phonecards are used for international, mobile satellite and other chargeable calls from Telstra payphones.<ref name="telstra-phonecard-page" /> Ask whether the store can check old stock, the accessories drawer, or internal product listings.

=== Testing the Phonecard slot ===

A working Phonecard should cause the payphone to display the remaining stored value when inserted.<ref name="phonecard-terms" /> If it does not:

* check that the card is inserted the correct way around;
* try several gentle insertion/removal cycles;
* try the same card in another payphone;
* try another known-good Phonecard if available;
* remember that the card slot, card reader or payphone line may be faulty.

== Related payphones in other countries ==

The Telstra Smart Payphone was not a completely unique Australian concept. Similar or related Amper/Siemens-Elasa/Infopyme public telephones appeared in several other countries, sometimes with different housings, tariffing and operator-specific software.

=== Germany ===

Germany had '''TELE-RUF Smart Payphones''', a privately operated late-1990s/early-2000s smart-payphone system. Collector documentation identifies the TELE-RUF units as using hardware based on the Amper-developed MPP platform also used in Australia's Telstra CT-10/Smart Payphone.<ref name="payphonestory-germany">''German Phone Booth – TELE-RUF Smart Payphones'', Pay phone Story, 16 April 2026, [https://payphonestory.com/2026/04/16/german-phone-booth-tele-ruf-smart-payphones/](https://payphonestory.com/2026/04/16/german-phone-booth-tele-ruf-smart-payphones/). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref>

These German phones advertised cheap calls and mobile-era digital services such as SMS, ringtone downloads and digital content delivery.<ref name="payphonestory-germany" />

=== Croatia ===

Croatia has used public payphones operated by Hrvatski Telekom. Some older Croatian card payphones have been visually identified by collectors as being part of the same or a closely related Siemens/Amper platform family, but this should be treated cautiously unless supported by a manufacturer plate or primary source.

Hrvatski Telekom later modernised some public payphone sites into digital smart-phone booths. In 2017 Hrvatski Telekom and Vendotel installed ten smart payphones in Zadar with free Wi-Fi, ticketing, voucher sales and other services.<ref name="ht-2017">''Hrvatski Telekom with its partner Vendotel installed in Zadar first smart phone booths in Croatia'', Hrvatski Telekom, 2 May 2017, [https://www.t.ht.hr/en/Press/press-releases/3626/Hrvatski-Telekom-with-its-partner-Vendotel-installed-in-Zadar-first-smart-phone-booths-in-Croatia.html](https://www.t.ht.hr/en/Press/press-releases/3626/Hrvatski-Telekom-with-its-partner-Vendotel-installed-in-Zadar-first-smart-phone-booths-in-Croatia.html). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref> In 2018 Hrvatski Telekom and Go2Digital announced the replacement of existing public payphones with digital payphones offering Wi-Fi, wireless charging, sensors, navigation information, digital advertising and an SOS key.<ref name="ht-2018">''Hrvatski Telekom and Go2Digital start modernization of public pay phones'', Hrvatski Telekom, 12 June 2018, [https://www.t.ht.hr/en/Press/press-releases/4186/Hrvatski-Telekom-and-Go2Digital-start-modernization-of-public-pay-phones.html](https://www.t.ht.hr/en/Press/press-releases/4186/Hrvatski-Telekom-and-Go2Digital-start-modernization-of-public-pay-phones.html). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref>

=== Cuba ===

Cuba's ETECSA public telephone network has used several public telephone technologies, including Siemens-Elasa and Amper/Siemens-Elasa equipment. Cuban service-quality material has listed public-telephone technologies including Siemens Elasa and Amper coin and card telephone equipment.

Cuban public phones remained important well into the smartphone era because public-phone calls were much cheaper than mobile calls. A 2017 report stated that Cuba had 59,818 public phones at the end of the previous year, including 8,588 coin-operated phones.<ref name="cuba-public-phones">''Cuba's Public Phones Persist in the Smartphone Era'', Translating Cuba / 14ymedio, 6 September 2017, [https://translatingcuba.com/cubas-public-phones-persist-in-the-smartphone-era/](https://translatingcuba.com/cubas-public-phones-persist-in-the-smartphone-era/). Accessed 3 May 2026.</ref>

=== Russia ===

Russia, particularly Moscow's MGTS public-payphone network, used Amper and Siemens-Elasa equipment during the transition from token-operated phones to card and coin-card public phones. Russian metrology-register material lists Amper-Siemens-Elasa card-payphone tariff equipment, including TPM-PC/S and TPM-MM/P models, manufactured in Spain.<ref name="russia-register">''Государственный реестр средств измерений: TPM-PC/S and TPM-MM/P'', Государственный реестр средств измерений, [https://info.metrologu.ru/grsi/grsi.html?curPos=15340](https://info.metrologu.ru/grsi/grsi.html?curPos=15340). Accessed 3 May 2026. Russian-language source.</ref>

Moscow also trialled Siemens Elasa internet payphones in 2003, with reports stating that MGTS planned to install a small trial batch able to provide voice calls, internet access, email, text messages and multimedia messages.<ref name="newsru-siemens-elasa">''В Москве установлен первый интернет-таксофон'', NEWSru.com, 25 December 2003, [https://www.newsru.com/russia/25dec2003/internet.html](https://www.newsru.com/russia/25dec2003/internet.html). Accessed 3 May 2026. Russian-language source.</ref>

== References ==

<references />

Help:Adding a payphone photo

2026-05-04T01:37:42Z

Kevin: added link to template:payphone/doc

Photos make this wiki. Three steps:

# '''Upload the photo:''' [[Special:Upload]] — drag in a JPG/PNG/WebP (max 20 MB). Give it a descriptive filename (e.g. <code>Payphone_glebe_2037_north.jpg</code>, not <code>IMG_1234.jpg</code>) and a short description.
# '''Open the payphone page''' (e.g. [[Payphone:02 9876 5432|Payphone:5519]]) and click '''Edit'''. If the page doesn't exist yet, you can create it from a search (follow the guide in [[Template:Payphone/doc]]).
# In VisualEditor, click '''Insert → Media''' and pick the file you just uploaded. Drop it under the <code>== History ==</code> heading with a one-line caption ("North side, looking toward Glebe Point Rd, March 2026"). Save.
== What makes a good photo ==

* Phone visible end-to-end with surroundings (helps people find it).
* Daylight if possible.
* Caption: which side of the street, when taken, anything notable (graffiti, repairs, a missing handset).
== What not to upload ==

* Photos with identifiable people unless you have permission.
* Photos you didn't take and don't have rights to (no random Google results).
== If your upload doesn't appear ==

First uploads from a new account go to [[Special:Moderation]] for a quick review. Once you're auto-confirmed (4 days + 10 edits) uploads publish immediately.

[[Category:Help]]

TTY

2026-05-04T01:34:17Z

Kevin: Created page with "'''TTY''' ('''Teletypewriter''') is a communication system used in Payphone Tag that allows text to be transmitted over telephone lines using encoded audio signals. In the context of Payphone Tag, TTY is primarily used through certain Telstra Smart Payphone units that include a physical slide-out keyboard. == Usage in Payphone Tag == When a TTY-capable payphone is captured, the Operator may initiate TTY mode after the login sequence. If the payphone support..."

'''TTY''' ('''Teletypewriter''') is a communication system used in [[Payphone Tag]] that allows text to be transmitted over telephone lines using encoded audio signals.

In the context of Payphone Tag, TTY is primarily used through certain [[Telstra Smart Payphone]] units that include a physical slide-out keyboard.

== Usage in Payphone Tag ==
When a TTY-capable payphone is captured, the [[Operator]] may initiate TTY mode after the login sequence. If the payphone supports it, the TTY keyboard can slide out, allowing the agent to type a message.

The typed message is transmitted as an '''ITA2 (Baudot) encoded signal''' over the phone line. The game backend decodes this signal and posts the message in real time to the Discord server’s <code>#tty</code> channel.

== Forcing TTY mode ==
Agents can also manually trigger TTY mode on most payphones by:
* Entering <code>*</code> after their PIN
* Playing a pre-encoded ITA2 audio file into the handset

This allows messages to be injected into the system without requiring a physical TTY keyboard.

== Technical details ==
* Encoding: ITA2 (Baudot code)
* Transmission: Audio tones over phone line
* Output: Decoded and displayed in Discord

== Limitations ==
Not all TTY-enabled payphones function correctly. Many units connected via cellular (4G) networks have been reported to fail when attempting TTY communication.

== Real-world context ==
TTY systems were historically used to assist deaf or hard-of-hearing users in communicating via telephone networks.

== See also ==
* [[Payphone Tag Discord Server]]
* [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]
* [[Gameplay]]

Discord Server

2026-05-04T01:33:46Z

Kevin: Created page with "'''The Payphone Tag Discord Server''' is the official community chat server for Payphone Tag agents and anyone interested in the game. It can be joined at [https://payphonetag.com/discord Payphone Tag Discord Server].<ref>''About'', Payphone Tag, [https://payphonetag.com payphonetag.com]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref> == Purpose == The Discord server serves as the central hub for the Payphone Tag community. It is where players discuss strategy, share capture..."

'''The Payphone Tag Discord Server''' is the official community chat server for [[Payphone Tag]] [[Agent|agents]] and anyone interested in the game.

It can be joined at [https://payphonetag.com/discord Payphone Tag Discord Server].<ref>''About'', Payphone Tag, [https://payphonetag.com payphonetag.com]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== Purpose ==
The Discord server serves as the central hub for the Payphone Tag community. It is where players discuss strategy, share capture photos and stories, report interesting or unusual payphones, coordinate Cell activity, and follow game news and updates. New players often find the community there a useful resource for getting started.

== Features ==
The server includes a variety of channels for different purposes, such as:
* General discussion and strategy
* Sharing captures and field reports
* Community help for new players
* Game announcements and updates

It also includes a live '''#tty''' channel, which displays messages sent from in-game TTY interactions. See [[TTY]] for more information.

== Community ==
The Discord server is the primary place for real-time interaction between agents. Players often use it to coordinate gameplay, share discoveries, and engage with the wider community.

== Other community spaces ==
In addition to Discord, the Payphone Tag community is active on:
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/Payphonetag/ r/Payphonetag] on Reddit
* [https://www.tiktok.com/@payphonetag @payphonetag on TikTok]<ref>''About'', Payphone Tag, [https://payphonetag.com payphonetag.com]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== See also ==
* [[TTY]]
* [[Gameplay]]
* [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]

== References ==
<references />

DTMF

2026-05-04T01:23:18Z

Kevin: Created page with "'''DTMF''' ('''Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency''') is a signalling system used by telephone networks to represent keypad input as pairs of simultaneous audio tones. It was developed by Bell Labs in the United States and introduced commercially in November 1963 under the registered trademark Touch-Tone.<ref>''Dual-tone multi-frequency signaling'', Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DTMF_signaling https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DTMF_signaling]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref> D..."

'''DTMF''' ('''Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency''') is a signalling system used by telephone networks to represent keypad input as pairs of simultaneous audio tones. It was developed by Bell Labs in the United States and introduced commercially in November 1963 under the registered trademark Touch-Tone.<ref>''Dual-tone multi-frequency signaling'', Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DTMF_signaling https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DTMF_signaling]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref> DTMF replaced the older pulse dialling system and became the worldwide standard for telephone keypad signalling.

== Background ==
Before DTMF, telephone networks used pulse dialling, where pressing a digit caused a series of electrical interruptions corresponding to the number dialled. This system was slow, prone to errors, and unsuitable for automated systems. DTMF was developed at Bell Labs in the late 1950s as a faster and more reliable alternative. The system was first shown publicly at the 1962 World's Fair and became commercially available in November 1963.<ref>''The Bell System Introduces "Touch-Tone" Dialing'', History of Information, [https://historyofinformation.com/detail.php?entryid=1031 https://historyofinformation.com/detail.php?entryid=1031]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

The layout of the keypad, including the placement of digits with 1-2-3 on the top row rather than the bottom as on a calculator, was determined through empirical human-factors research led by industrial psychologist John E. Karlin at Bell Labs.<ref>''The Bell System Introduces "Touch-Tone" Dialing'', History of Information, [https://historyofinformation.com/detail.php?entryid=1031 https://historyofinformation.com/detail.php?entryid=1031]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== How it works ==
Each key on a telephone keypad is associated with two simultaneous audio tones: one from a set of four "row" frequencies and one from a set of four "column" frequencies. Pressing a key causes the telephone to transmit both tones at once over the voice channel. The receiving equipment decodes the combination of frequencies to identify which key was pressed.

The frequencies were chosen carefully to avoid harmonics and intermodulation products that could cause false decoding. No frequency is a multiple of another, and neither the sum nor difference of any two frequencies equals any other frequency in the set. This design makes DTMF highly resistant to accidental triggering by human speech on the same audio channel.<ref>''In-Band Signaling: Dual-Tone Multifrequency Dialing'', Hackaday, 5 September 2017, [https://hackaday.com/2017/09/05/in-band-signaling-dual-tone-multifrequency-dialing/ https://hackaday.com/2017/09/05/in-band-signaling-dual-tone-multifrequency-dialing/]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+DTMF frequency matrix
!
!1209 Hz
!1336 Hz
!1477 Hz
|-
|697 Hz
|1
|2
|3
|-
|770 Hz
|4
|5
|6
|-
|852 Hz
|7
|8
|9
|-
|941 Hz
|*
|0
|#
|}

== Use in Payphone Tag ==
DTMF tones are used in two ways in [[Payphone Tag]]:

=== Normal use ===
When an [[Agent|agent]] dials the game number or enters their [[PIN]] on a [[Telstra Smart Payphone|payphone]] keypad, the payphone generates DTMF tones that travel over the phone line and are decoded by the [[Operator]] to register the input. This is how all standard Payphone Tag calls work.<ref>''Gameplay'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

=== Damaged keypad workaround ===
If a payphone's keypad is damaged or non-functional, an agent can generate the necessary DTMF tones externally using a tone generator app on a mobile phone. The mobile phone speaker is held close to the payphone handset's mouthpiece, and the tones are played into the microphone. The payphone then transmits them over the line to the Operator as if they had been entered on the keypad directly.

Volume calibration is important: if the mobile phone is too loud, the tones distort and may fail to decode; if it is too quiet, the payphone microphone may not detect them reliably. Adjusting volume while listening through the payphone earpiece is the recommended approach to finding the right level.<ref>''Telstra Smart Payphone'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Telstra_Smart_Payphone https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Telstra_Smart_Payphone]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== See also ==
* [[PIN]]
* [[Operator]]
* [[Phonecard]]
* [[Gameplay]]

== References ==
<references />

Party Line

2026-05-04T01:22:11Z

Kevin: Created page with "The '''party line''' is a special social feature of Payphone Tag that connects multiple agents into an open conference call. Any agent can join at any time from any Telstra public payphone by entering the party line PIN instead of their personal PIN. == How to use == When prompted by the Operator for a PIN, the caller enters <code>72789</code> instead of their own personal PIN. On the phone keypad, this number corresponds to the word <code>PART..."

The '''party line''' is a special social feature of [[Payphone Tag]] that connects multiple [[Agent|agents]] into an open conference call. Any agent can join at any time from any [[Telstra]] public payphone by entering the party line [[PIN]] instead of their personal PIN.

== How to use ==
When prompted by the [[Operator]] for a PIN, the caller enters <code>72789</code> instead of their own personal PIN. On the phone keypad, this number corresponds to the word <code>PARTY</code> using the standard letter-digit assignments. This drops the caller into an open conference call with any other agents who have done the same at any other payphone across the country.<ref>''How to play'', Payphone Tag, [https://payphonetag.com payphonetag.com]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

The party line PIN is publicly documented and is intended to be shared. It is one of the few PINs in the game that is not personal or secret. The [[Gameplay]] page uses it as the primary example of phone keypad mnemonics: "the PIN for the special party line is <code>72789</code>, which can be represented as <code>PARTY</code>".<ref>''Gameplay'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== Purpose and scoring ==
The party line does not award any [[Points|points]] and does not register a capture on any payphone. It is purely a social feature. Its main appeal is the novelty of speaking in real time with another agent who is standing at a different payphone somewhere in Australia. Whether anyone is on the line at any given moment depends on other agents independently calling in at the same time.

== Notes for players ==
Because the party line uses the Operator's same call flow as a normal capture, the payphone screen will show <code>FREE CALL</code> once the call connects, just as it would for a regular capture call. This is normal. Agents using the party line will not receive a rank announcement from the Operator, as no capture is being registered.

== See also ==
* [[PIN]]
* [[Operator]]
* [[Gameplay]]

== References ==
<references />

Operator

2026-05-04T01:21:23Z

Kevin: Created page with "The '''Operator''' is the automated voice system that agents interact with when calling the Payphone Tag number from a Telstra public payphone. It is the primary interface between the game's backend and the physical payphone network, and handles all authentication, capture registration, and announcement of results during a call. == Role during a capture == When an agent dials <code>07 5623 8255</code> (<code>07 LOAD TALK</code>) from a Telstra payphone, th..."

The '''Operator''' is the automated voice system that [[Agent|agents]] interact with when calling the Payphone Tag number from a [[Telstra]] public payphone. It is the primary interface between the game's backend and the physical payphone network, and handles all authentication, capture registration, and announcement of results during a call.

== Role during a capture ==
When an agent dials <code>07 5623 8255</code> (<code>07 LOAD TALK</code>) from a Telstra payphone, the call is answered by the Operator. The following sequence occurs:

# The Operator greets the caller and asks them to enter their five-digit [[PIN]].
# The agent uses the payphone keypad to enter their PIN, which is transmitted as [[DTMF]] tones.
# The Operator validates the PIN against the agent database. If valid, it registers the capture, assigning the payphone to the agent's account.
# The Operator announces the agent's current rank on the leaderboard.
# The call ends.

If the PIN is not recognised, the Operator will prompt the agent again or indicate that the entry was not valid.<ref>''Gameplay'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== Rejection of non-Telstra calls ==
If a player calls the Payphone Tag number from a phone that is not a Telstra public payphone, such as a mobile, a home landline, a private payphone, or a payphone operated by another company, the Operator will not prompt for a PIN. Instead, the caller will hear the message "your call could not be completed as dialled" and the call will be ended. This is how the game enforces the requirement to physically be at a Telstra public payphone in order to capture it.<ref>''Gameplay'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== Audio not required ==
Although the Operator speaks during the call, audio is not strictly required to complete a capture. Once a call connects successfully, the [[Telstra Smart Payphone|payphone]]'s screen changes to display <code>FREE CALL</code>. An agent who cannot hear the Operator, for example due to a damaged handset or a noisy environment, can watch for this screen change and then immediately enter their PIN without waiting for the audible prompt. The capture will be registered normally. Agents can then verify the result by checking the payphone's map pin on the game site or app.<ref>''Gameplay'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== TTY mode ==
If a [[Telstra Smart Payphone#TTY Smart Payphone|TTY-capable payphone]] is captured, the Operator will attempt to transmit TTY codes after completing her usual login announcement. This activates the TTY keyboard on the payphone, allowing the agent to type a message that will be posted to the #tty channel of the [[Discord Server|Payphone Tag Discord]]. Agents can also force TTY mode on any payphone by entering <code>*</code> after their PIN and then playing an ITA2-encoded audio file through the receiver.<ref>''Gameplay'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== Voice ==
The Operator speaks with a female voice.

== See also ==
* [[PIN]]
* [[DTMF]]
* [[Gameplay]]
* [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]
* [[Discord Server]]

== References ==
<references />

Points

2026-05-04T01:20:27Z

Kevin: Redirected page to Scoring

#REDIRECT [[Scoring]]

2026-05-04T01:17:23Z

Kevin: Created page with "A '''PIN''' (Personal Identification Number) is the five-digit password used by agents to identify themselves to the Operator when capturing a payphone in Payphone Tag. It is the core credential that links a player to their account and all their captured payphones. == Generation == A PIN is generated automatically when a new agent registers at [https://payphonetag.com payphonetag.com]. The registration system assigns both a PIN and an emoj..."

A '''PIN''' (Personal Identification Number) is the five-digit password used by [[Agent|agents]] to identify themselves to the [[Operator]] when capturing a [[Payphone|payphone]] in [[Payphone Tag]]. It is the core credential that links a player to their account and all their captured payphones.

== Generation ==
A PIN is generated automatically when a new agent registers at [https://payphonetag.com payphonetag.com]. The registration system assigns both a PIN and an emoji callsign. These are stored in the player's browser session. Because there is no linked email address or other recovery mechanism by default, agents are strongly encouraged to record their PIN immediately, for instance by taking a screenshot or writing it down. A lost PIN means lost access to the agent account and all associated captures and points.<ref>''How to play'', Payphone Tag, [https://payphonetag.com payphonetag.com]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== How it is used ==
When an agent calls the Payphone Tag number (<code>07 5623 8255</code>, also remembered as <code>07 LOAD TALK</code>) from a [[Telstra]] public payphone, the [[Operator]] prompts them to enter their PIN using the keypad. The PIN is transmitted as [[DTMF]] tones. The Operator decodes these tones, verifies the PIN against the agent database, registers the capture, and announces the agent's current rank before ending the call.<ref>''Gameplay'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== Entering a PIN without a working keypad ==
If the payphone's keypad is damaged or non-functional, a PIN can still be entered by playing [[DTMF]] tones through the handset's receiver using a tone generator app on a mobile phone. Care is needed with volume: too loud and the tones distort and fail to decode; too quiet and the payphone microphone may not pick them up. Alternatively, a [[Phonecard]] programmed with the game number can be used to initiate the call without keypad input, after which the PIN can be supplied via DTMF tones.<ref>''Gameplay'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== Mnemonics ==
Because phone keypads associate letters with digits, agents can devise letter-based mnemonics for their PINs. Eight of the ten digits on a standard keypad correspond to groups of letters:

{| class="wikitable"
!Digit
!Letters
!Digit
!Letters
|-
|2
|ABC
|7
|PQRS
|-
|3
|DEF
|8
|TUV
|-
|4
|GHI
|9
|WXYZ
|-
|5
|JKL
|0
|(none)
|-
|6
|MNO
|1
|(none)
|}

For example, the [[Party line]] PIN <code>72789</code> spells <code>PARTY</code>. An agent with PIN <code>46537</code> might remember it as <code>HOLES</code>. This mnemonic system is the same one used for sending SMS messages from a payphone keypad, where pressing a digit repeatedly cycles through the associated letters.<ref>''Gameplay'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== Security ==
An agent's PIN is personal and must not be shared with others. Anyone in possession of a PIN can use it at any Telstra payphone to make captures under that agent's account, or to interfere with their territory. Players wishing to cooperate should form a [[Cells|Cell]] rather than share PINs.<ref>''How to play'', Payphone Tag, [https://payphonetag.com payphonetag.com]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== Special PINs ==
The [[Party line]] PIN <code>72789</code> (PARTY) is a publicly known PIN that drops callers into an open conference call rather than registering a capture. It does not award points and is intended purely as a social feature.<ref>''Gameplay'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Agent]]
* [[Operator]]
* [[DTMF]]
* [[Phonecard]]
* [[Party line]]

== References ==
<references />

Agent

2026-05-04T00:56:42Z

Kevin: add page

An '''agent''' is a registered player of [[Payphone Tag]]. The term is used throughout the game and its community in place of "player" or "user".

== Registration ==
To become an agent, a player visits [https://payphonetag.com payphonetag.com] and generates an agent [[PIN]] and an associated emoji callsign. These are stored in the player's browser. The PIN is the agent's unique identifier — it must not be shared with other players, as sharing it would allow others to capture payphones on the agent's behalf. To play cooperatively with friends, agents should form a [[Cells|Cell]] instead.<ref>''How to play'', Payphone Tag, [https://payphonetag.com payphonetag.com]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== Agent identity ==
Each agent is identified in the game by:
* A unique five-digit [[PIN]]
* An emoji callsign assigned at registration
* A chosen agent name (callsign)

== Cells ==
Agents can optionally join or form [[Cells]] — teams of up to 12 agents that score territory cooperatively. An agent must have captured at least 3 payphones before they can create a Cell.<ref>''Cells'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Cells https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Cells]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== See also ==
* [[PIN]]
* [[Cells]]
* [[Gameplay]]

== References ==
<references />

Telecom Australia

2026-05-04T00:55:28Z

Kevin: Added page

'''Telecom Australia''' was the trading name of the Australian Telecommunications Commission, the government-owned entity that operated Australia's domestic telephone network from 1975 until the early 1990s. It is the direct predecessor to [[Telstra]].

== History ==
The Australian Telecommunications Commission was established on 1 July 1975 as a separate statutory body following the breakup of the Postmaster-General's Department, which had managed Australia's postal and telecommunications services since 1901. It traded under the name Telecom Australia.<ref>''Telstra'', Wikipedia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telstra https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telstra]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

In February 1992, Telecom Australia merged with the Overseas Telecommunications Commission (OTC) to form the Australian and Overseas Telecommunications Corporation (AOTC). The AOTC was renamed Telstra Corporation Limited in April 1993. The domestic trading name Telecom Australia was retired on 1 July 1995, when the Telstra name was adopted uniformly across all operations.<ref>''Telstra Corporation Limited'', Encyclopedia.com, [https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/telstra-corporation-limited https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/telstra-corporation-limited]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== Payphones ==
During its operation, Telecom Australia produced and deployed payphones across Australia. Some older units from this era may still be encountered in the field. Telecom Australia also produced payphones for private operation in venues such as sharehouses and hotels. These privately operated payphones are not part of [[Payphone Tag]], which is limited to [[Telstra]]'s current public telephone network.<ref>''Gameplay'', Payphone Tag Wiki, [https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay]. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Telstra]]
* [[Payphone]]
* [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]

== References ==
<references />

Telstra

2026-05-04T00:54:56Z

Kevin: Created page with "'''Telstra''' (formerly '''Telecom Australia'''; legally '''Telstra Corporation Limited''') is Australia's largest telecommunications company and the operator of Australia's public payphone network. Payphone Tag is played exclusively on Telstra's public payphone network. == History == Australia's telecommunications services were originally controlled by the Postmaster-General's Department, formed in 1901. On 1 July 1975, the Australian Telecommunications Commission..."

'''Telstra''' (formerly '''Telecom Australia'''; legally '''Telstra Corporation Limited''') is Australia's largest telecommunications company and the operator of Australia's public payphone network. [[Payphone Tag]] is played exclusively on Telstra's public payphone network.

== History ==
Australia's telecommunications services were originally controlled by the Postmaster-General's Department, formed in 1901. On 1 July 1975, the Australian Telecommunications Commission was established as a separate entity, trading as Telecom Australia. In February 1992, Telecom Australia merged with the Overseas Telecommunications Commission (OTC) to form the Australian and Overseas Telecommunications Corporation (AOTC). The AOTC was renamed Telstra Corporation Limited in April 1993, and the domestic trading name changed from Telecom Australia to Telstra on 1 July 1995.<ref>''Telstra'', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telstra. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref> The federal government progressively privatised Telstra beginning in 1997, completing the process in 2011.<ref>''Telstra Corporation Limited'', Encyclopedia.com, https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/telstra-corporation-limited. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== Public payphone network ==
Telstra operates over 14,000 public payphones across Australia and has a universal service obligation to ensure payphones are reasonably accessible to all people in Australia, no matter where they live or conduct business.<ref>''Payphone services'', Telstra Consumer Advice, https://www.telstra.com.au/consumer-advice/payphones. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref> In August 2021, Telstra made standard national and mobile calls free from all of its public payphones. Coin acceptance ended from 8 October 2021.<ref>''Why we're making payphones free for calls around Australia'', Telstra Exchange, 29 September 2022, https://www.telstra.com.au/exchange/payphones-free-for-calls-australia. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

Calls made from phones other than Telstra public payphones — including mobile phones, home phones, or payphones operated by other companies — are not recognised by the [[Operator]] and cannot be used to capture payphones in [[Payphone Tag]].<ref>''Gameplay'', Payphone Tag Wiki, https://wiki.payphonetag.com/wiki/Gameplay. Accessed 4 May 2026.</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Telecom Australia]]
* [[Payphone]]
* [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]

== References ==
<references />

Payphone

2026-05-04T00:49:42Z

Kevin: Created page with "A '''payphone''' (also called a '''public telephone''', '''phone box''', or '''phone booth''') is a telephone installed in a public place for use by the general public. In the context of Payphone Tag, the term refers specifically to payphones operated by Telstra on its public telephone network in Australia. == Telstra payphones == Telstra is the primary provider of public payphones in Australia. Since 2021, all domestic calls from Telstra payphones have been fre..."

A '''payphone''' (also called a '''public telephone''', '''phone box''', or '''phone booth''') is a telephone installed in a public place for use by the general public. In the context of [[Payphone Tag]], the term refers specifically to payphones operated by [[Telstra]] on its public telephone network in Australia.

== Telstra payphones ==
Telstra is the primary provider of public payphones in Australia. Since 2021, all domestic calls from Telstra payphones have been free of charge, requiring no coins or phone credit. Payphone Tag is built on this free-call infrastructure, making the game free to play.

The current standard unit is the [[Telstra Smart Payphone]], a touchscreen-equipped unit capable of voice calls, SMS, and TTY messaging.

== Other payphone operators ==
In the past, other companies also operated public payphones in Australia, including PayTel and TriTel. As these companies are now defunct, their payphones are inoperable where they still exist. [[Telecom Australia]] (a former name of Telstra) also produced payphones for private operation — for example, in sharehouses. Neither defunct-operator payphones nor privately operated payphones are part of [[Payphone Tag]].

== See also ==
* [[Telstra Smart Payphone]]
* [[Gameplay]]

Payphone Tag

2026-05-04T00:48:52Z

Kevin: Created page with "'''Payphone Tag''' is a real-world territory capture game played on public payphones across Australia. Players register as agents, receive a unique PIN, then physically visit Telstra public payphones and call the game number to capture them. Captured payphones earn points, and forming triangles between adjacent captured phones earns bonus points. The game was created by Alex Allchin ([https://al3x.au al3x.au]) as a personal proj..."

'''Payphone Tag''' is a real-world territory capture game played on public [[Payphone|payphones]] across Australia. Players register as [[Agent|agents]], receive a unique [[PIN]], then physically visit [[Telstra]] public payphones and call the game number to capture them. Captured payphones earn [[Points|points]], and forming triangles between adjacent captured phones earns bonus points.

The game was created by Alex Allchin ([https://al3x.au al3x.au]) as a personal project after acquiring a phone number and collecting a dataset of Australian payphone locations. It launched publicly and has since grown into an active community of agents competing for territory across every Australian state and territory.

== Key facts ==
* Free to play — Telstra payphone calls have been free since 2021
* Thousands of payphones are in play across Australia
* Players can form [[Cells]] (teams of up to 12 agents)
* A special [[Party line]] is accessible using PIN <code>72789</code> (PARTY)

== See also ==
* [[Gameplay]]
* [[Scoring]]
* [[Cells]]
* [[Badges]]

Gameplay

2026-05-04T00:35:36Z

Kevin: Fixed some red links and small edits

Payphone Tag is played by capturing public [[Payphone|payphones]] operated by [[Telstra]], specifically [[Telstra Smart Payphone|Telstra Smart Payphones]]. The full gameplay is explained in depth in this article. Although the basics are quick and easy to pick up, there are some advanced techniques that [[Agent|agents]] can use during play.

Although commonly referred to by the term "payphone", Payphone Tag is free to play, as Telstra made domestic calls from its payphone network free in 2021. In this article we will use payphone to refer to Telstra payphones, unless otherwise noted. Other terms that are used include "public telephone", "phone box", and "phone booth".

In the past, public payphones have also been provided by other companies, such as PayTel and TriTel. As these companies are defunct, their payphones are inoperable where they still exist. Additionally, [[Telecom Australia]] (a prior name of Telstra) also produced payphones for private operation, such as in sharehouses. These payphones are also not part of the game.

== Basic play ==
After registering and saving an agent name and [[PIN]], gameplay is relatively simple: find a payphone in the real world and call the Payphone Tag phone number from it. This will assign the phone to your agent account, netting up to 25 [[points]] for each payphone. Bonus points can be obtained from lines, triangles, and total area.

=== Making a phone call ===
Phone calls must be made from a Telstra public payphone. Players who make a phone call from other phones, such as a mobile phone, a home phone, private payphones, or public payphones operated by other companies will not be asked for a password. Instead, the [[Operator]] will tell agents "your call could not be completed as dialled" and the call will be ended.

Making a phone call is easy:

# Lift the handset of the phone.
# Using the numbers on the keypad, dial the number <code>07 5623 8255</code> (<code>07 LOAD TALK</code>) to make a phone call to the Payphone Tag phone number.
# Your will hear the voice of the Operator asking for your password. Use the keypad to enter your five-digit agent PIN.
# The Operator will confirm your capture and tell you your rank before ending the call.

==== Memorising the number ====
If you are having trouble remembering the number, eight of the ten digits on all phone keypads are associated with three or four letters:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Keypad number-letter correspondence
!Digit
!Letters
!Digit
!Letters
|-
|1
|—
|6
|MNO
|-
|2
|ABC
|7
|PQRS
|-
|3
|DEF
|8
|TUV
|-
|4
|GHI
|9
|WXYZ
|-
|5
|JKL
|0
|—
|}
These letters will usually be included in a smaller font underneath each key. However, sometimes the keypad can be hard to read because of dirt, have the wrong keys resulting from mistakes during maintenance, or use keypads from other countries.

The mnemonic number <code>07 LOAD TALK</code> can help with remembering the Payphone Tag phone number: the letter <code>L</code> represents <code>5</code>, the letter <code>O</code> represents <code>6</code>, and so on. These associated letters can also be used for creating mnemonics for your agent PIN. For example, the PIN for the special [[party line]] is <code>72789</code>, which can be represented as <code>PARTY</code>.

This system is also used for sending SMS text messages via payphone. When sending an SMS message, pressing a number on the keypad repeatedly will cycle through letters. For example, pressing <code>2</code> once will type <code>A</code>, pressing <code>2</code> twice will type <code>B</code>, and so on.

=== Locating payphones ===
The game contains a map with the approximate locations of all of Telstra's public telephones in Australia which players can use to help find payphones and to plan gameplay sessions by optimising routes to capture the most payphones in a given amount of time.

== Advanced gameplay ==
There are advanced techniques and knowledge that can help agents capture payphones more effectively.

=== Dysfunctional payphones ===
There are various problems a payphone can have that could make capturing difficult or impossible. Some of these issues can be worked around with advanced knowledge of how the payphones work.

==== No audio or damaged/destroyed handset ====
Audio is not actually needed to capture the payphone: once a call has been connected, the screen will change to show the text <code>FREE CALL</code>, which confirms that the call is now connected. As soon as this happens, an agent can enter their PIN to complete the capture. Agents can then check the website/app to confirm that the capture was completed: a small alert will come up on the bottom of the screen, and agents can also click or tap on the payphone's map pin to check that ownership has changed.

If the handset itself is missing, players can still start a call by manually depressing the lever where the handset rests and then releasing it. This will signal to the payphone that the handset has been lifted and to allow dialling.

==== Nonfunctional buttons ====
Sometimes the keypad buttons on a payphone are damaged in some way preventing agents from dialling the number or entering their PIN. This can be addressed as follows. For dialling the LOAD TALK number, you can instead use a [[phonecard]] which has been programmed to autodial. This will then call the number on insertion of the phonecard without keypad input. To supply the PIN, the relevant [[DTMF tones]] can be played through the receiver, using a DTMF tone generator.

==== Damaged screen ====
Although not necessary at all for using a phone—indeed, many landline phones don't have screens—the screen of a payphone is still useful for gameplay. A damaged screen can compound difficulty in dealing with other issues such as a damaged handset, make it difficult to confirm that an agent has dialled the correct number or entered the correct PIN, and interfere with diagnosing problems.

=== Indoor payphones ===
Not all payphones are part of the streetscape. Some are located within buildings such as shopping centres, railway stations, or hospitals. These buildings can be quite big and have multiple levels, making locating the payphone more challenging. However, there are some rules of thumb that can be used to locate them more easily.

==== Payphones in shopping centres ====
Payphones in shopping centres can be well-hidden, as the layout of these buildings can be very complicated, and the payphone will typically be located out of the way of foot traffic and sight-lines where they could get in the way of wandering shoppers. Agents should prioritise looking near major supermarkets such as Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi, the centre management office, major banks, or near the entrances of other hallways and alcoves. Some shopping centres will also have a help desk, where agents can ask staff for assistance.

==== Payphones in railway stations ====
Railway stations will usually have payphones on the station concourse, on platforms, or both. Check the game map as well, as often the payphone description will include whether the phone is on a platform (and which one) or elsewhere.

== Bonus features and easter eggs ==
There are some bonus features and easter eggs included in the game as well.

=== TTY messaging ===
Some payphones come with a TTY (teletypewriter) keyboard stowed away underneath the main unit. This is an accessibility accommodation included for users who are unable to hear, speak, or both, and it allows payphone users to type messages instead of speaking them. When connected to a telephone number that supports TTY functionality, the keyboard will extend out and become available as long as it is able to decode the TTY signalling from the other end of the line. However, with the switch from landline to VoLTE telephony, most TTY units in Australia are have become non-functional as they are unable to decode the TTY messages when under 5G audio compression as it is designed for frequencies produced by the human voice.

Payphone Tag supports TTY. If a payphone with TTY capability is captured, the game will try to transmit TTY codes after the Operator completes her usual login announcement. Agents can then type messages which will be displayed in the #tty channel on the [[Discord Server]]. Agents can also force TTY connection for any phone by entering <code>*</code> after their PIN, and then playing an audio file that has text encoded in ITA2.

==== Technical details ====

* Encoding system: ITA2
* Baudrate: 50
* Stop bits: 3
* Mark frequency: 1410 Hz
* Stop frequency: 1820 Hz

=== Easter eggs ===
To do: monkeys and weasels

Template:Payphone/doc

2026-05-04T00:10:32Z

Kevin: Add proper documentation on how to use template

= How to Use the Payphone Template =

This page explains how to create a new payphone article using the {{[[Template:Payphone|Payphone]]}} template.

== Creating a new page ==

# Navigate to the page title for the payphone you want to document. Page titles should follow the format '''Payphones:5922''' where 5922 is the payphone ID. Do not include a # symbol.
# Paste the template call below into the page and fill in the parameters.

== Basic usage ==

<pre>
{{Payphone
| phone = 0298765432
| id = 5922
| suburb = Parramatta
| state = NSW
| postcode = 2150
| lat = -33.8136
| lng = 150.9986
| status = Operational
}}
</pre>

== All parameters ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Parameter !! Description !! Required?
|-
| <code>phone</code> || The payphone's full phone number || Yes
|-
| <code>display</code> || Override for the displayed phone number (e.g. formatted differently). Defaults to <code>phone</code> if not set. || No
|-
| <code>id</code> || The unique payphone ID number || Yes
|-
| <code>suburb</code> || Suburb where the payphone is located || Yes
|-
| <code>state</code> || Australian state or territory (e.g. NSW, VIC, QLD) || Yes
|-
| <code>postcode</code> || Postcode || Yes
|-
| <code>lat</code> || Latitude coordinate || Yes
|-
| <code>lng</code> || Longitude coordinate || Yes
|-
| <code>status</code> || Current status of the payphone. Common values: '''Operational''', '''Removed''', '''Damaged''', '''Unknown''' || Yes
|-
| <code>location</code> || A written description of where the payphone is. Include nearby landmarks, street corners, or notable features. || No
|-
| <code>history</code> || Any known history about this payphone. || No
|-
| <code>gallery</code> || One or more image tags, e.g. <code><nowiki>[[File:Example.jpg|thumb|Caption]]</nowiki></code> || No
|-
| <code>notes</code> || Any other relevant information. || No
|}

== Full example ==

<pre>
{{Payphone
| phone = 0298765432
| id = 5922
| suburb = Parramatta
| state = NSW
| postcode = 2150
| lat = -33.8136
| lng = 150.9986
| status = Operational
| location = Located on the corner of Church Street and Darcy Street, adjacent to Parramatta train station's western entrance.
| history = Installed circa 2003. Reported as still active as of 2024.
| gallery = [[File:Payphone-5922.jpg|thumb|Payphone 5922, Church St Parramatta]]
| notes = This payphone is one of the few remaining operational booths in the Parramatta CBD.
}}
</pre>

== Tips ==

* If you do not know a value, you can leave the parameter out entirely. The template will display "Unknown" in its place.
* Coordinates can be found using Google Maps. Right-click a location and copy the latitude/longitude values shown.
* The <code>status</code> field is freeform but try to use consistent values across articles so they can be categorised easily later.
* To add references, use standard MediaWiki <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code> tags anywhere in the parameters and they will appear under the References section automatically.

Template:Payphone

2026-05-04T00:09:04Z

Kevin: Add proper documentation on how to use template

[[Category:Payphones]]
<noinclude>
This template is used to document individual payphones. See [[Template:Payphone/doc]] for usage instructions.
</noinclude><includeonly>
= {{{display|{{{phone|Unknown}}}}}} =

== Details ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Phone number || {{{display|{{{phone|Unknown}}}}}
|-
! Payphone ID || {{{id|Unknown}}}
|-
! Suburb || {{{suburb|Unknown}}}
|-
! State || {{{state|Unknown}}}
|-
! Postcode || {{{postcode|Unknown}}}
|-
! Coordinates || {{{lat|Unknown}}}, {{{lng|Unknown}}}
|-
! Status || {{{status|Unknown}}}
|}

== Location ==
{{{location|''No location description provided.''}}}

== History ==
{{{history|''No history recorded.''}}}

== Gallery ==
{{{gallery|}}}

== Notes ==
{{{notes|''No additional notes.''}}}

== References ==
<references />
</includeonly>

Template:Payphone

2026-05-03T12:19:11Z

Kevin: Added phone template and comments to assist in creation

[[Category:Template]]


= {{{display|{{{phone}}}}}} =

== Details ==
* '''Phone number:''' {{{display|{{{phone|Unknown}}}}}}
* '''Payphone ID:''' {{{id|Unknown}}}
* '''Suburb:''' {{{suburb|Unknown}}}
* '''State:''' {{{state|Unknown}}}
* '''Postcode:''' {{{postcode|Unknown}}}
* '''Coordinates:''' {{{lat|Unknown}}}, {{{lng|Unknown}}}
* '''Status:''' {{{status|Unknown}}}

== Location ==


== History ==


== Gallery ==


== Notes ==


== References ==
<references />

File:3170 1.jpeg

2026-05-03T11:43:26Z

Kevin: a picture of the payphone at boggo road station platform 1

== Summary ==
a picture of the payphone at boggo road station platform 1