Minitel refers to a pioneering French online information and communication system that was introduced in the late 1970s and became popular in the 1980s. It can be defined as a videotex service that connected users to a vast range of online services via their telephone lines using a dedicated terminal. The terminals, also known as Minitel, resembled small computer terminals with a built-in screen and keyboard.
Minitel provided users with access to various services, including online banking, purchasing goods and services, email, news, weather updates, train schedules, directories, and more. These services were predominantly offered by government agencies, businesses, and the private sector.
To access Minitel services, users had to dial into the network using a dedicated phone number. Once connected, they were presented with a menu-driven interface on their Minitel terminal, allowing them to navigate through different services using specific codes or keywords. The system operated on a pay-per-use basis, where users were billed for the time they spent using the services.
Minitel played a significant role in France's digital revolution and was widely adopted by both businesses and households. It was one of the precursors to the modern internet, offering online services before the global reach of the World Wide Web. However, with the rise of the internet and the availability of more advanced technologies, Minitel's popularity declined, and it was decommissioned in 2012, marking the end of an era in French telecommunications.
