BT’s giving London’s phone boxes a revamp and they’ve got free Wi-Fi
BT’s made a rather bold decision – it’s giving London’s phone boxes a makeover.
The telecoms group has announced plans to replace the traditional boxes with kiosks called Links, in a new service LinkUK, offering free calls to UK landline and mobile phones, free Wi-Fi access and charging facilities.
Hundreds of users within range of a Links kiosk will be able to tap into Wi-Fi on the go (with speeds of up to 1Gbps).
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The new phone boxes will be rolled out from next year, with plans to install at least 750 in 2017. Up to 100 will be installed in the London borough of Camden. There are then plans to expand out the network to other cities across the UK.
The various services, which’ll also include access to maps, directions and local services, will be funded by revenues from advertising on the kiosks’ digital displays.
Rajesh Agrawal, London’s deputy mayor for business, said: “I welcome this exciting new addition to London’s streets. Expanding London’s digital infrastructure is a priority for the Mayor, and LinkUK can play a big part in improving connectivity for Londoners and visitors to our city, while reducing street clutter by upgrading and reducing the number of phone boxes.”
Hundreds of BT’s existing phone boxes across the capital are to be confined to the scrap heap, as Links kiosks take their place. They’ll take up less space on the pavement and will be installed in smaller numbers than the existing payphones, according to BT.
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Gerry McQuade, chief executive of BT Wholesale and Ventures, said: “We’re evolving the phone box to make it relevant in the 21st century by offering people ultrafast Wi-Fi and a range of digital and information services entirely for free.
Links have already been introduced in New York; brought in in January earlier this year. Over the next several years, there are plans for over 7,500 Links to be installed across the five boroughs.