The seventeen BT Telephone Exchanges (and seventeen former) in the Swansea (01792) telephone area
Swansea previously had the STD code 0441 before changing to 0792, then 01792.
Bishopston ATE
This exchange entered service in 1966 as a 4 digit non-director exchange, replacing two former UAX13s; one on site which has since been demolished, the other at Southgate two miles west.
Clydach ATE
Fforestfach former ATE
The Fforestfach former automatic exchange is located at 15 Cave Street, Cwmdu, Swansea SA5 8JY, 1 mile south of Ravenhill exchange, 1½ miles from Swansea city centre, and served Fforestfach, Ravenhill and surrounding area.
This exchange came into operation in 1928 as a satellite to Swansea Main exchange, with Siemens no. 16 equipment, 140 subscribers and 58XXX numbers. Rebuilt in 1951 with standard 2000-type exchange equipment and Swansea 3XXXX numbers, and remaining in use until the mid 1970s, with subscribers transferred to the present Ravenhill exchange. Later sold for commercial use, permission has been sought to redevelop the present empty building.
Gorseinon ATE
Gorseinon Telephone Exchange is located in Pontardulais Road, Gorseinon, Swansea SA4 4FF and serves Gorseinon and the surrounding area.
Gower (Reynoldston) ATE
Gower Telephone Exchange is located just off the A4118 in Reynoldston, Swansea SA3 1AN and serves Knelston, Reynoldston and the surrounding area.
It opened on 26 February 1974 and replaced the former Port Eynon and Rhossilli exchanges.
On 16 March 1983, when this exchange became a TXE2, 450 subscribers were transferred from the Reynoldston exchange which then closed.
Gowerton ATE
Mayals ATE
ID: SWMYS. Photo courtesy of Philip Owen.
Llangennith ATE
Morriston ATE
Morriston former ATE
Mumbles ATE
ID: SWMMV. Photo courtesy of Jaggery.
Penclawdd ATE
Penmaen ATE
ID: SWPMQ. Photo courtesy of Philip Owen.
Pontardawe ATE
ID: SWPDU. Photo courtesy of Jaggery.
Pontardulais ATE
ID: SWPDW. Photo courtesy of Luke Illingworth.
Pontardulais former ATE
ID: SWPDW. Photo courtesy of Mark Bridgewater.
Port Eynon former ATE
Map courtesy the National Library of Scotland.
Ravenhill ATE
Reynoldston former ATE
Rhossili former ATE
Map courtesy the National Library of Scotland.
Sketty ATE
ID: SWSKJ. Photo courtesy of Philip Owen.
Sketty former ATE
Sketty former automatic telephone exchange was located at the post office on 12 Dillwyn Road, Sketty, Swansea SA2 9AE, ¼ mile north-east of present exchange, 2 miles west of Swansea city centre, and served Sketty and surrounding area. Replacing a manual exchange within the same building, this satellite exchange came into operation in August 1924, using the same Siemens No. 16 exchange equipment as in use in the parent Swansea Main. It had an initial capacity of 300 subscribers, with additional 170 in 1927 and 340 in 1929; it came initially with 4 digit 8XXX numbers but renumbered to 5 digit 88XXX and 89XXX numbers in 1928 when capacity was needed for Fforestfach exchange. A further upgrade came in 1953 when standard 2000-type discriminator equipment replaced the original, with Swansea 2XXXX numbers. Closing about 1966 when subscribers transferred to the present exchange. The building ceased being a post office in 1972, and later sold, now in use as a fast food restaurant (2025).
ID: SWSKJ. Photo courtesy of Philip Owen.
Skewen ATE
Southgate former ATE
Swansea Main ATE
ID: SWSX. Photo courtesy of David Hillas.
Swansea Main former relief ATE
Swansea Main relief former automatic exchange is located at 76 Walter Road, Uplands, Swansea SA1 4AQ, some 1 mile west of the present main exchange, and had served Brynmill, Uplands and surrounding area. In service on 25th February 1951 with 1300 subscribers, using the latest 2000-type discriminator equipment. Forming part of a linked numbering area, it was given Swansea 56XXX, 57XXX and later 59XXX numbers. This large dwelling house was selected due to difficulties in providing a suitable building in the area, which could be quickly brought into operation, as well as providing relief to the main exchange. Remaining in use as an exchange until 1979, the building was later sold for residential and office use, the now derelict building now awaits redevelopment (2025).
Photo courtesy of Philip Owen.
Swansea Main former ATE
Swansea Main former automatic exchange was located at the former Head Post Office in 10 Wind St, Swansea SA1 1DF, and served central Swansea and the surrounding area. In service in August 1924, this building housed Siemens No.16 exchange equipment for local subscribers and manual switchboards for trunk and toll working. Initially worked with 3340 subscribers, with additional 440 in 1926 and 1000 in 1929; 4 digit numbers were used with 2XXX, 3XXX, 4XXX and 5XXX, whilst a 5 digit number 82XXX was later used for subscribers in the Uplands area from this exchange. This automatic exchange remained in use until December 1956 when the present exchange came into use, but this building continued to retain a manual switchboard until the 1980s. A grade 2 listed structure, this building consists of a former stone façade facing Wind Street from 1901, and into an open brick built 4 storey structure that extends down Green Dragon Lane to the rear end shown here in the Strand (this is diagonally opposite the present main exchange). At present (2025) only the ground floor and basement of the Wind Street entrance is now in use as a public house and night-club; plans are also at hand to develop the remaining site for residential apartments.
Photo courtesy of Philip Owen.
Former Swansea Manual Telephone Exchanges
Fforestfach former Manual TE
The former Fforestfach manual exchange, opened by the National Telephone Company, stood at 2 Cadie Terrrace (exact location unknown) Fforestfach, Swansea.
Fforestfach’s manual exchange closed on 29 October 1927 when it was replaced by an ATE in Cave Street.
Photo courtesy of BT Archives.
Gorseinon former Manual TE
The former Gorseinon manual exchange was at 85 High Street, Gorseinon, Swansea SA4 4BL.
It was opened by the National Telephone Company. The exchange was later moved to a house in Pontardulais Road (possibly number 25) before automation in the 1960s.
Photo courtesy of BT Archives.
Morriston former Manual TE
The former Morriston manual exchange was at 27 Woodville Street, Morriston, Swansea SA6 8AB.
Opened by the National Telephone Company, it is believed to have closed at automation in 1926.
The shop is currently (2025) vacant.
Photo courtesy of BT Archives.
Mumbles former Manual TE
The former Mumbles manual exchange was at 2 Chapel Street, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4NH.
Opened by The National Telephone Company in about 1896, it closed at automation on Saturday 26 October 1929. Re-numbered as 3 Chapel Street, the house has been largely rebuilt.
Photo courtesy of BT Archives.
Sketty former Manual TE
The former Sketty manual exchange was opened by the National Telephone Company in Brook Cottage, Sketty, Swansea (exact location unknown).
Sketty manual exchange closed on 9 August 1924 when lines were transferred to an ATE in the post office at 12 Dillwyn Road.
Photo courtesy of BT Archives.
Swansea Central former Manual Exchange
Swansea Central former manual exchange was located at 66 Wind Street SA1 1EQ, 200 yards north-west diagonally opposite the former Head Post Office, and served Swansea and the surrounding area. The National Telephone Company had operated an exchange in 1895 at 47 & 48 Wind Street, and by 1901 had relocated to this site, which became “Central” after the NTC take-over in 1907 of the Swansea Corporation telephone service. Remaining in use until 1924 when subscribers were transferred to the Automatic exchange at the Head Post Office. The building was later used as offices and now has a public house on the ground floor (2025).
Photo courtesy of The Perch, Swansea
Swansea Docks former Manual Exchange
Swansea Docks former manual exchange is located in Pier Street, Swansea SA1 1RY, ½ mile south of the Swansea Main exchange, and had served central Swansea and surrounding area.
The Corporation of Swansea was granted a licence to operate a telephone service on 27 September 1902, and an exchange at this site was opened on 5 November 1903, serving some 624 subscribers. The National Telephone Company took over this service on the 31st March 1907, this becoming the “Docks” exchange. Remaining in use until 1924, when subscribers were transferred to the new automatic exchange at the Head Post Office in Wind Street.
Photo (2018) courtesy of the Environment Centre, Swansea.