BT has started replacing payphones in London streets offering free public Wi-Fi service with up to one gigabit per second (1Gbps) Internet speed, free phone calls and free digital services.
BT, which has a partnership with Intersection, the company behind LinkNYC, and Primesight, a UK-based outdoor advertising company, has started installing new digital system in Camden High Street in London.
The company is offering free service because the project is funded by advertising revenue generated by the InLinks’ digital displays.
BT said it will start rolling out the new digital system in other high streets in London and major cities throughout the country this year.
BT said other services available from the InLinks will include free UK landline and mobile phone calls, mobile device charging, access to maps, directions and local services, and a new BT Phone Book app enabling users to search for businesses by type and name, as well as people by name.
InLinks’ digital displays will feature real-time information, such as tube service updates, weather forecasts, and community messaging.
The partnership will install less number of InLink design than the existing payphones they replace.
Since the first units were switched on inNew York City in January 2016, over 1.8 million users have registered to use the Wi-Fi service.
“This is the phone box of the future. InLinkUK from BT brings the payphone up-to-date and gives people the services they need and use every day in the 21st century – and the bonus is it’s all for free,” said Gerry McQuade, CEO of BT Wholesale & Ventures.
Matt Bird, general manager of InLinkUK; Naren Patel, CEO of Primesight; and Ari Buchalter, CEO of Intersection were part of the digital initiative.
