The Informal Call: <em>Telemonederos</em> and Media Transitions in 1990s Bogot&aacute;

Abstract

This article re-examines the historiography of telephony in Bogotá, Colombia, focusing on the semi-public phones known as telemonederos. It challenges the conventional mono-medial and mono-usage narratives of telephony by highlighting the diverse and multifaceted use of phones in the context of urban informality. The research explores how telemonederos emerged as a creative response to Bogotá’s socio-economic and technological dynamics, embodying accessible technology and entrepreneurial spirit. These devices, evolving within electronic bazaars and informal economies, became integral to the city’s communication landscape, influencing the delivery of mobile services. The study also draws parallels between the development of telemonederos and auto-construction practices in urban environments, underscoring the role of community-driven initiatives in the modernisation of Bogotá. This approach offers a nuanced view of Bogotá as a media city, where informal networks and innovations significantly shape its technological and social evolution.

Keywords

• telemonedero
• urban informality
• telephone history
• privatisation
• bogotá