MINITEL – THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF FRENCH VIDEOTEX Available to Purchase

The development of the French Minitel system is described against the background of attempts in other European countries to get a“viewdata” or “videotex” off the ground. The French approach was to mass‐produce a dedicated terminal and to focus on the residential market. The kiosk tariff is seen as the most important feature with respect to the creation of new services – its benefits are analysed. While Minitel has been far more successful than any other videotex development, the quickening pace of technological innovation and customer resistance to paying full price for information services are now causing problems. The future is uncertain.