Most Frequently Asked Questions

    Who is Navitel Inc.?

ü   Navitel is an OEM manufacturer of quality payphone products, as well as a sales and service provider since early 90's.  Navitel has the ability to provide high quality payphone equipment to meet any application in any environment. 

   What is an OEM?

ü   An OEM is an Original Engineering Manufacturer.  This means if you have an application where customized equipment is required Navitel has the ability to manufacture it for you.  If you have an innovative idea, Navitel has the ability to bring it to life. (Such as custom vault door logos.)

    What can I expect for my money when I buy a payphone from Navitel?

ü  Quality: With Navitel, you can expect nothing but quality products, and great workmanship.

ü  Value: Navitel's field proven products add value to your payphone route.

ü  Service: Customer service is Navitel's primary goal.  Navitel recognizes that the special service provided to their customers is what helps differentiate them from all others suppliers.  Navitel stands firmly behind their products by providing a 2 year limited warranty on parts and by providing in house technical support.

ü  Great Pricing: When you buy from Navitel, you pay factory direct prices. This gives you a higher profit margin when reselling your product or service.

       What kind of options do I have regarding the payphone equipment that I need?

              Why buy new equipment instead of used / refurbished?

ü  Buying new equipment has distinct advantages.  The main advantage is the warranty time.  Navitel's payphones come with a 2 year limited warranty, most refurbished equipment has only a 90 day warranty.  Another advantage of buying new equipment is the feeling of security in knowing that the equipment you install will work right the first time.  Why buy used or refurbished when you can buy brand new equipment for a marginal difference in price or in some cases for the same price as used.

    What does a payphone consist of?

ü  A payphone is not as complicated as it may seem.  A payphone consists of an upper housing and a lower housing.  Both the upper and lower housings have few major components which are easy to maintain.

¨  The major components of the upper housing:

Ø  The hookswitch dial assembly.

§    The dial assembly or Keypad assembly sends the Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) signals to the smart board.  The hookswitch signals on-hook and off-hook conditions to the smart board.

Ø  The handset assembly.

§    The handset assembly is connected through an armored cable to the hook dial on the upper housing.  The handset contains a hearing aid coupler coil, making it hearing aid compatible.

Ø  The coin release / return assembly.

§    The coin release lever engages the coin return linkage, which opens the throat of the coin mechanism when the upper housing and lower housing are assembled as a unit.

Ø The volume control button (Optional) (Refer to FCC regulations).

§ The volume control button allows the user to achieve 3 levels of volume to the handset assembly receiver. 

Ø The payphone's upper housing lock.

§ The upper lock provides security to the upper housing so the upper housing can not be removed without the proper key.

¨  The major components of the lower housing are:

Ø The Smart Board

·    The internal processor replicates central office (Telephone Company) functions to enable the processing of various call types.  The smart board is capable of rating coin calls, routing operator calls, and allows for calling card calls to various long distance companies.

Ø     The coin mechanism

·    The coin mechanism tests coins to determine whether they are genuine.  Coins entering the mechanism are first sorted by size and separated into nickels, dimes, and quarters.  All coins are checked for diameter, weight, thickness, and any deformities.  Rejected coins are directed to the coin return receptacle (Anti-stuffing device).  Accepted coins are passed to the trigger switch for counting and finally to the coin hopper for storage until the call is placed.

Ø     The trigger switch

·    Each coin passes through a specific path in the trigger switch assembly depending its dimensions.  The trigger switch then signals the smart board which totals the amount of deposited coins.

Ø     The hopper assembly

·   The hopper is where coins are held in the payphone until the relay fires.  When the relay fires, one of the hopper flaps is engaged, either coin collect or coin refund, depending on the signal from the smart board. 

Ø     The coin relay

·    The coin relay engages the escrow where the coins are held until a call is ended.  The relay, when it fires, opens a flap leading to either the coin box, or the coin return receptacle (anti stuffing device).  The way the relay fires depends on the polarity of the signal provided by the smart board. 

Ø     The coin box.

·    The coin box is the final destination of a coin when a call has been completed.  It is protected by the vault door and a lower housing lock.