Is free mobile charging and Wi-Fi coming to a street near YOU? BT reveals plan to convert thousands of old phone boxes
BT has announced a major plan to convert thousands of old phone boxes to brand new street hubs.
The modern upgrade will provide free Wi-Fi and charging stations across the UK.
They also allow users to make free calls.
Almost a thousand Street Hub 2 units are already dotted across the country in place of old-fashioned phone boxes that have declined in use due to smartphones.
The number of phone boxes peaked in the 1990s at around 100,000.
About 20,000 still remain active today.
But now some 2,000 are set to receive a revamp.
The new units feature tablet screens with real-time council updates as well as a large display with adverts which pay towards upkeep of the tech.
And the Wi-Fi speeds offer up to 1Gbps within a 150-metre radius.
Some also extend EE’s mobile network capability to provide 4G and 5G connectivity.
BT has signed a new agreement with Global – the company behind radio stations like Capital and Heart – to convert up to 2,000 conventional payphones and kiosks.
The project will happen slowly over a ten year period, starting in 2025.
It’ll come to more than 200 towns and cities across the UK.
“BT’s payphones have long been an iconic feature on the UK’s streets – and with the way we all communicate changing, today’s announcement marks a further step into the future,” said Bas Burger, CEO of Business at BT.
“There are already almost 1,000 modern digital Street Hubs bringing communication benefits to local communities across the UK.
“By bringing together BT’s rock-solid connectivity with Global’s unrivalled expertise in out-of-home advertising, we can almost triple this number over the next decade.”
It comes as this year marks 100 years since the original K2 red kiosk was designed.
There are 3,000 traditional red kiosks left around the country.