25 Years of Technologie : From Phone Calls to Mobile Apps
A pioneering idea, 25 years of innovation, and the people who have shaped our journey.
For 25 years, PayByPhone has evolved alongside mobile technology, transforming how drivers pay for parking. What began with a phone call has developed into a digital experience, reflecting changing technologies, customer expectations and the way we interact with everyday services.
To celebrate this milestone, we're looking back at the ideas, innovations and people behind our journey.
It all started with a phone call
Before smartphone apps, drivers could pay for parking by calling a number and entering their details using their telephone keypad.
Jill Van Dyck, who joined PayByPhone in 2005, remembers those early days:
"It was 2005: flip phones, iPods with click wheels, and an IVR company where you called in and punched in a number to pay for your parking."
That early experience also inspired a detail in our visual identity: the nine dots in our logo, representing the nine keys of a traditional telephone keypad. A small reminder of where the journey began — and how far mobile technology has come.
From a startup to a global business
Technology wasn't the only thing that evolved. The business grew, its identity changed and its ambitions expanded.
Jonathan Zylberberg, who joined PayByPhone when it was still a small startup, reflects on that transformation:
"The biggest change I witnessed is how PayByPhone grew from a small startup into a global company."
He describes PayByPhone in one word: "Pioneering."
His perspective captures the spirit of a business that has continued to evolve while staying connected to its roots.
The evolution of parking technology
From telephone-based payments and SMS to mobile apps, the parking experience has changed significantly over the years.
Rebecca Maisey joined the UK team in 2011 and has witnessed this transformation first-hand. Working closely with clients, she has helped shape solutions designed to respond to their needs.
"When I first joined there were no 'apps' for parking so getting to go on the journey of technology growth and adoption has been especially exciting."
Her memories of early launch events, including the giant mobile phone costume used to promote the service, offer a glimpse into a very different era of mobile technology.
Today, smartphone apps have transformed how drivers interact with parking services, while collaboration with clients continues to play an important role in product development.
Technology evolves. People evolve with it.
Innovation also changes the way teams work.
Jill's career reflects that evolution: from answering customer calls to training support teams and writing articles that help AI answer customer questions.
"I've gone from answering calls to teaching support teams to lead with empathy, and these days I write the support articles that help our AI answer customers."
Yet, for Jill, the human side of the job remains essential:
"Two decades in, the puzzles keep changing, and so do the people I get to solve them with."
She also highlights the importance of community engagement, from volunteering and fundraising to environmental initiatives such as Meters for Trees.
Looking back, moving forward
The stories of Jonathan, Rebecca and Jill illustrate three different perspectives on PayByPhone's evolution: the growth of the business, the transformation of parking technology and the changing nature of customer support.
Together, they show that innovation is about more than technology. It's about people, collaboration and a willingness to keep learning.
As we celebrate 25 years of PayByPhone, we're proud of the journey so far — and excited about what comes next.
25 years of innovation. One pioneering spirit. And a journey that continues.