Councils Block BT Plan to Replace Payphones with Street Hubs

Local councils are blocking BT’s plan to replace 2,000 payphones with Street Hubs (pictured) offering free public Wi-Fi at speeds up to 1Gbps. The company wants to install the kiosks in over 200 towns and cities, having already converted 1,000 payphones into hubs across the country. As well as gigabit Wi-Fi within 150 metres, they provide USB charging, free UK calls and a dedicated 999 calling button. They also show digital adverts and contain small battery cells to boost 4G and 5G coverage near...