Plymouth Reject Hi-Tech Telephone Kiosks

Plymouth City Council rejects proposals to install hi-tech public telephone kiosks in nine sites.

15:19 29 September 2018

Infocus Public Network’s proposal to install hi-tech public telephone kiosks at nine sites in Plymouth has been rejected by the city council.

 

 

The city council said that the kiosks, which features a public payphone, touch screen with internet access, USB charger, defibrillator and smart city sensors, have a poor quality design and would cause disruption to paedestrians. They were also described as “harmful street clutter” and out of place due to “unacceptable visual impact.”

 

Under current telecoms law, operators are not required to get a permission to install the kiosks but they must notify local authorities.

 

A report says: “The kiosks are proposed to have additional functionality as well as the telephone including a touch screen, wayfinding, solar panel, induction and USB charger, defibrillator and smart city sensors.

 

“The kiosks are not enclosed, with the structure having a projecting canopy with clear glazed side sections. The rear of the kiosks is a large blank white panel.

 

“This would appear to be designed to facilitate large advertising panel, although it is acknowledged that this is not part of the application and separate advertisement consent would be needed to use it as such.”