Beltel

Beltel was an early South African videotex service, launched by Telkom (then the South African Post Office) in the 1980s. It allowed users to access information and services through their televisions using a special decoder and a telephone line. Services offered typically included news, weather, sports, financial information, and travel details. Users could also make bookings and conduct basic transactions.

Beltel's interface was text-based, with simple graphics capabilities. Users navigated through menus and pages using a numeric keypad. The service was based on the international videotex standards of the time, making it compatible with similar systems in other countries.

Despite being an innovative technology for its time in South Africa, Beltel faced limitations due to the high cost of equipment, slow connection speeds, and limited content. It was eventually superseded by the rise of the internet and the World Wide Web in the 1990s. The service was formally discontinued in the early 2000s. While it no longer exists, Beltel represents a significant early effort to bring interactive information and communication services to the South African public via electronic means.