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Marketing and Sales (MS Division) was at the forefront of revenue generation, selling new lines, services and equipment. Innovation and new designs were virtually unheard of until the onset of competition in the 1980s. |
Plugs, Sockets and Telephones (PST)
The modern (dial) telephone was launched in 1959, in seven colours: two-tone grey, two-tone green, blue, red, ivory, black and topaz yellow. In the early 1980s it was still the standard telephone being provided for new installationsn and was coded on the Advice Notes as a 'mod t' (modern telephone).
Plan 4 This was the earliest form of plug, socket and telephone combination, which used round type plugs (jack 95s) and sockets. Under the plan 4 scheme, additional telephones could be hard wired too.
A trial of the modern PST (Plug Socket Telephone) system, using captive line jack units, took place early in 1981 in Taunton & Carlisle. The scheme was introduced nationally for residential lines, at the end of 1981 and later on for business lines as well. The marketing booklet from March 1982 encourages customers to 'Get plugged in'.
PST
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A trial of the modern PST (Plug Socket Telephone) system, using captive line jack units, took place early in 1981 in Taunton & Carlisle. This section briefly studies the new socket types and the implications on British Telecom's monoploy of the marketplace. |
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On October 3rd 1983, British Telecom launched the INPHONE campaign, which was a whole new concept in advertising the phone. INPHONE was much more than simply a marketing strategy, it was designed to give the company a complete brand identity. The new plug and socket system of connecting phones had just been introduced in 1981 and the catchy little slogan; INTOUCH. INTONE. INPHONE was an excellent attempt to promote a complete range of phones. |
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This section will briefly describe some of the products and services that evolved from the GPO right through to BT. It will also attempt to give an insight into the times gone by, in looking at the marketing opportunities, catch-phrases, and names of the era. Not every significant telephone is included but, others may be added later as time allows. |
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Advice Notes were issued by Sales Division as the authority to carry out works (jobs or orders) and to raise (bill) charges. |
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