atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Other TDM Phone Systems Antique Telephones Collection

JimmyV....you were right....they don't.....anymore.

mbhydro....the reason is simple economics. The Contempra is the perfect example. Consider that there were 7 or 9 colours (I forget which) for each model, Dial & T/Tone. That's 14-18 colours for one series alone. Multiply that by the number of I&R vehicles, Storerooms, the Phone Stores, Teleboutiques, Phone Centers, Lockers, Bell Warehouses, stock at Nortel itself, etc. Then add in those that are in transit somewhere, on the "CR" or "CU" lines at Nortel, add again those used by splicers, C/R men, Co men etc just because they wanted one for a line between manholes, etc.....and on and on and on....

You get the idea....

For the poor Joe Blow Installer/Repairman, never failed, the client ALWAYS wanted the one that you didn't have on the truck.

I have no idea how it worked in Manitoba, but here in Bell Canada territory, as long as Bell charged a premium for a coloured set, it wasn't too bad, but once they removed the extra charge everyone wanted a coloured set. In my last years at Bell, most wanted to go back to black. Why? Black doesn't show the usage marks as much. Go figure....

MooreTEL

I remember the extra charge MTS had for colour sets. I think it was around $1.00 a month back in the 70's. I can't remember if MTS got rid of the colour rental up charge before they stopped renting new phones.

I know an older lady that is still renting a blue NT SOLO because as she says: " if it breaks MTS will send a man to my house with a new phone".

I wonder why AASTRA can't dust off the classic set plans they received when they acquired Nortel's telephone plants and make a limited edition retro collectors line for sale.

mb, I can think of 2 reasons that are connected, sorta. 1 Canada like the U.S. probably CAN'T make them anymore because all the plastic molding/injection equipment has been shipped to the 'Far East'. 2 It costs a LOT of money to rent production line time and no one wants to manufacture 'limited interest' stuff. Too risky and long time to turn a profit! John C.

Ok, so what is MTS?

MTS = Manitoba Telephone System or something to that effect...

John C. is right on the money.....like I said economics.

Nortel stopped making common jacks years ago because the machine that made the sliding door broke and it wasn't worth the cost to fix it. Ever since, Bell Canada has been buying their common jacks from a competitor (Rova), who was making something very similar. Nortel still makes their "BIX" line as well their "DVO" jack inserts and plates, though.

Dave, I thought Nordx makes the BIX and MDVO stuff?

Manitoba Telecom Services

Its the ILEC for Manitoba Canada and its celebrating 100 years of service this year.

They also have a CLEC division called Allstream that does business customers in other parts of Canada.

To everybody else thanks for the information on making limited edition sets. I forgot that the tooling had moved offshore years ago.

edit - spelling more info

as for old rotary 500 and 554's there are so many floating around and cortelco is still making the shells so you can get a brand new rotary 500 for pretty cheap, thats how i got my red one