February 6, 2006
Plan for free public phone booths in Maine
We've heard much about the demise of the phone booth all over the world due to the prevelence of mobile phones, but one US State has a good idea; Maine. The Boston Globe reports.
"A hearing on the proposal for public interest pay phones will be held Thursday before the Public Utilities Commission.
The growing popularity of cell phones has prompted companies to eliminate many public pay phones, particularly in rural areas. The companies say the phones get little use and it is costly to maintain and repair them.
But in some areas without good cell service, or in emergency situations, access to a public phone can be essential. Mobiles seem particularly vulnerable to crashing during crisis. The networks are also liable to be shut down to forestall the possibility of mobiles being used as bomb-triggering devices.
"A bill sponsored by Adams to authorize the rule change was enacted last session by the Legislature.
If the rule is adopted, municipal officials and the public could request public interest pay phones for certain locations, which might include bus stations, airports, highway rest areas, courthouses, post office lobbies, hospitals and medical clinics.
Callers could dial for free anywhere in the state, while out-of-state calls could be made using a calling card, credit card, prepaid calling card, or by making a collect call."
Picture from Payphones of the world
Related:
-- Finland to abandon its payphone business by spring 2006
-- Public Telephones Get the Call in South Korea
-- Slow demise of a very British icon
-- Korea. Mobile Phones Drive Out Street Phone Booths
-- Belgium to dismantle 4,000 phone booths
-- Phone booths in England losing their popularity
The Permanent Link to this page is: http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2006/02/011432.htm
