Historical information

Motorola introduced the Bag Phone in 1988. These phones offered more durability and higher power output (up to 3 watts) than more conventional mobile phones of the time.

Bag Phones were expensive to purchase and operate. They became available within the Department in the early 1990s but their use was very restricted to staff like fire communications duty officers. Senior regional managers also had bag phones.

Bag Phones were also bulky and heavy and were often known as "The Brick". The 12 volt sealed lead-acid rechargeable battery provided up to 2.5 hours of talk time and 48 hours of standby time.

They were replaced from the mid 1990s by smaller, analogue flip-phones with lighter Nicad batteries manufactured by companies like Nokia.

The mobile phone network was patchy in country Victoria where two main telecommunications companies operated - Telstra and Optus.

Physical description

Motorola Bag Phone with handset

Inscriptions & markings

Optus 018 594 510
No battery
Includes handset, aerial and 12 volt car-charger jack in vinyl bag