Payphones

Every Payphone accepts chip PhoneCards, which are available from a large network of retailers - such as supermarkets, book stores and service stations - across the country.

All of our Payphones also accept Credit Cards. And if you want to make a call using coins, just look out for a booth that shows the phrase "Card and Coin".

Some of our external booths are also WiFi hotspots, so laptop users can access wireless high speed internet up to 50 metres away. Everything you can do on the Internet at your desk you can now do from your laptop and one of these nearby Payphones.

Take advantage of our other services such as multi-payment options, multi-language options (with user instructions in English, Maori, Samoan, Tongan and Japanese), quick-dial keys, last number redial and a follow-on call key. They make using Telecom Payphones that much easier.

Payphone facts and figures

• Over 500,000 Telecom PhoneCards are produced every year
• Millions of minutes and calls are made using Payphones every month
• There are 3 Telecom New Zealand Payphones in Antarctica
• The first coin-operated call boxes were developed in America in 1889
• Payphones were first used in New Zealand in 1910
• Credit Card phones were introduced to New Zealand in 1993.

How much does it cost to use a Payphone?

For a list of direct-dial call charges applicable from Telecom Payphones (where a Telecom PhoneCard™, coins, or a credit card is required to make the call) please see our list of Payphone charges.

Payphone access surcharge

Since April 2005, a payphone access surcharge applies to all providers of toll free and calling cards services who use certain access numbers so that payphone users can call their services.

As a provider of toll-free services, Telecom passing these costs on to Telecom customers who use the services. Depending on the Telecom service or access number dialled, the payphones access surcharge will be charged to either:

• Customers who make Yabba and EasyCall Card calls from Telecom payphones.
• Holders of Telecom Home 0800 numbers who receive calls from Telecom payphones.
• Holders of Telecom Business 0800 or 0508 numbers who receive calls from Telecom payphones.

How much is the surcharge?

• The surcharge applyed to our 0800/0508 customers is 21.33c per minute excluding GST.