Islington Complain About BT InLinks

A communication firm wants to install dozens of pavement kiosks on Islington streets after application for 53 similar boxes have been refused last yea

20:11 19 June 2018

A communications firm has expressed interest in installing dozens of pavement phone boxes in Islington, further adding to the growing wave of applications.

 

Last year, town hall planners approved only 10 BT phone kiosks, which provide free UK landline and mobile phone calls and WiFi. They also feature cameras which BT says are currently switched off and not recording.

 

David Trillo, secretary to the heritage society, described the second wave of applications as a “horrible tsunami”.

 

“They are so arrogant thinking they have a right to do this,” he said. “Most people don’t need phone capabilities in a phone box any more. But every one of the applications being put up just has loads of advertising space.”

 

He added: “Using telephone boxes to make phone calls is becoming history. Why would any company be investing in large numbers of new public telephone boxes?”

 

Meanwhile, a spokesman for BT said: “BT, together with its partner InLinkUK, has submitted a further five planning applications to install InLinks, the ultramodern digital street units offering the new service, across Islington.

 

“Currently in Islington we have nine InLinks live serving the community and bringing essential free digital services to the residents and businesses of the borough.

 

“Since launching in June 2017, over 100,000 people have signed up to use the fastest free public Wi-Fi available.  Over 587,000 free phone calls have been made from the InLinks, which have saved the public over £352,000.

 

 “We are extremely proud of the InLinks and the services they offer, now in eight London boroughs, Leeds and recently launched Glasgow.  We are continuing to rollout the InLinks across the UK in collaboration with the Councils and community, to bring digital services for the 21st century to their streets.”