August 3, 2026
From the “I didn’t even know it was still around” department. Apparently T-Mobile in the USA shut down their 2G network on Monday August 3, 2026. Were there any customers on the 2G network? Was this the original 2G that T-Mobile had, or was this something they inherited from Sprint? Either way, sad to see […]
Read MoreApril 9, 2026
(Admin note: I actually talked to Joybubbles a few times before his passing in 2007.) Famous Phone Phreaker Joybubbles is now in a documentary that is being showcased at several viewings throughout the US. I do not know if or when it will be available for wide release. https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/joybubbles-documentary-rachael-morrison-interview
Read MoreDecember 25, 2025
December 24, 2025 – The inevitable has started. AT&T in Oklahoma (former Southwest Bell) is slowly turning off central offices. The first appears to be a small town called Hitchcock, OK, about an hour NW of Oklahoma City. This is a VERY small town that was served by a 5ESS remote switch. This is a […]
Read MoreDecember 10, 2025
December 11, 2025 (Updated March 2026) – I heard from an industry contact that the Lansing, MI 4ESS switch (LNNGMIMN50T) is slated to be powered off tonight. Traffic through the switch has already been rerouted elsewhere. This is considered to be the last 4ESS in the lower 48 states. Only the 4ESS in Anchorage, AK […]
Read MoreMay 10, 2025
May 9, 2025 – Long time website This Is a Recording (originally by Jennifer Martino) is now owned and operated by Telephone World. We thank Jenn for her hard efforts in running the site for many years. We wish to continue the tradition for many more years to come. If you wish to visit the […]
Read MoreMarch 14, 2025
March 14, 2025 – The entire collection of long time telephone collector Phil McCarter of Salem, OR (also known as SXSPhil) will be moving to the Connections Museum. Most fans of telephony know of the awesome museum in Seattle, WA with their collection of switching equipment (Panel, #1XB, #5XB, DMS-10, 3ESS, etc.) and how much […]
Read MoreNovember 9, 2024
In October 2024, I had the opportunity to visit The Telephone Museum in Ellsworth, Maine. This museum had so much to see! It features many different kinds of telephones, manual cordboards, several Step by Step switches, several All-Relay switches – and finally an entire #3 crossbar switch and a partial #5 crossbar switch. This is […]
Read MoreJune 19, 2023
In June 2023, Telephone World was invited to participate in preserving a small #5ESS switch at a rural telephone company for posterity. This was no small feat as you can imagine! Check out the Preserving a #5ESS Switch for all the details and a TON of pictures!
Read MoreOctober 4, 2021
It’s hard to imagine almost 30 years ago that the first Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems were coming online to eventually replace operators. In fact, AT&T no longer has an operators. At all! They got rid of them several years ago. This video came out in October 2021, but it was recorded back in 1992. […]
Read MoreMay 24, 2021
Thanks to a contribution from a visitor, we have a new section – Various Virginia Telephone Recordings! Check it out!
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