How can you write a telegram?

Answer 1

International Telex remains available via e-mail ports. It is one's e-mail address with numeric or alpha prefixes specifying one's International Record Carrier and account. Telex has always had a feature called "answerback" that asks a remote machine to send its address. If one is using telex via e-mail, this address is what a remote telex user will want in order to contact an e-mail user.

Western Union announced the discontinuation of all of its telegram services effective from the January 31, 2006. Only 20,000 telegrams were sent in 2005, compared with 20 million in 1929. According to Western Union, which still offers money transfer services, its last telegram was sent Friday, January 27, 2006[1]. The company stated that this was, "...the final transition from a communications company to a financial services company."[2]

Telegram service in the United States and Canada is still available, operated by International Telegram. Some companies, like Swedish Telia still deliver telegrams, but they serve as nostalgic novelty items rather than a primary means of communication. The international telegram service formerly provided by British Telecom has been spun off [1] as an independent company which promotes their use as a retro greeting card or invitation.

In the Netherlands, telegram operations ceased in 2004. In Belgium though, services continue through Belgacom. In this case, however, business is flourishing; many telegrams are sent every day.

In Japan, NTT provides a telegram (denpou) service that is today used mainly for special occasions such as weddings, funerals, graduations, etc. Local offices offer telegrams printed on special decorated paper and envelopes.