Description

The INPU trials were internal trials conducted by Telecom Australia to assess chip technology for phonecards and other smart card applications.This Gemplus version of the INPU trial, with a reloadable type chip is one of 2 types known, and this one says only “TRIAL” on the front, whereas the other says “INPU TRIAL”.
Dates from around 1992 with reloadable for smart card phonecards.

Early in the 1990’s Telecom Australia began to investigate the emerging smart card developments with a view to future product development. Chip cards from NTT, Anritsu, Schlumberger, and Gemplus were demonstrated. Gemplus cards were later used for internal trials “FINE”, and “INPU”
Copied here is the folder issued to staff taking part in the trials. The INPU shown is a Gemplus reloadable.
INPU TRIALS

It was not until 1997 that Telecom began to roll out upgraded telephones with chip cards nationally.