A
payphone (alternative spelling:
pay phone) is typically a coin-operated public telephone, often located in a
telephone booth or a privacy hood, with pre-payment by inserting money (usually
coins) or by billing a
credit or
debit card, or a
telephone card. Prepaid
calling cards also facilitate establishing a call by first calling the provided
Toll-free telephone number, entering the card account number and pin, then the desired connection telephone number — also offering the benefit of establishing many telephone number connections during a single payphone session. An equipment usage fee may be charged as additional units, minutes or tariff fee to the collect/third-party, debit, credit, telephone or prepaid calling card when used at payphones.