Limassol was Cyprus’s pioneer in the field of telephony?

The literature suggests that telephony in Cyprus was virtually non-existent prior to 1925. What very limited network was in place at the time was at the exclusive service of government departments, while a rudimentary connection was also operational, connecting forest stations.

It was Limassol’s Yiordamlis family (the brothers George and Yakinthos) who dared, in 1925, to set up the first privately owned telephone network. This network, which was licensed a year later, served some 100 subscribers.

Quoting from the local press of the time: “We had some time ago written that the Yiordamli brothers of Limassol, were registering subscribers, especially amongst business people, with view to launching a telephone service... We are now pleased to announce that all the necessary equipment and spare parts, ordered from Austria, have been received here over the last few days…”

The telephone directory for October 1929 includes single- and double-digit numbers, including No. 47 for Limassol municipality and No. 51 for the government hospital. No. 1 was for Chysostomos Christofides’ grocery store.

Operating the telephone centre were the daughters of George Yiordamlis, Eleftheria and Evanthia, shown in the picture.