New York City finally figured out what to do with all its old phone booths.

[eridani]

http://www.upworthy.com/new-york-city-finally-figured-out-what-to-do-with-all-its-old-phone-booths

That, my friends, is a public Wi-Fi hotspot. And it's free.

They may look like the monolith from "2001: A Space Odyssey," but instead of providing light-speed, mind-expanding information access to a species of primates, the Wi-Fi hotspots will ... actually, they'll sort of do exactly the same thing! (Humans are primates for those of you who slept through biology class.)
Starting this summer, Wi-Fi terminals from a project called "LinkNYC" will start appearing all over New York City.

Since at least 2012, New York has been trying to figure out what to do with all the old pay phones. They launched a nationwide competition looking for solutions, and the idea to turn them into Wi-Fi hotspots was the winner.

The project is run by CityBridge and funded in part by three tech companies: Qualcomm Technologies Inc., a smartphone chip maker; CIVIQ Smartscapes, a networking company; and Intersection, which has backing from Google's parent company Alphabet.

[EdwardBernays]

1. Amazing idea

But how much is mobile data in the States now?

As an expat I get unlimited 4G data as part of my cell phone package and have done for years. I can also use my phone as a mobile WiFi modem for my laptop.

Is that not a thing in the States yet? I was just assuming it was.

[Go Vols]

32. I think my kid pays around $90 per month for his phone,

runs a Roku box,Mag254 box and a computer with it.

[EdwardBernays]

35. cool!

I pay about €50/month.

[melman]

2. What about people that don't have any kind of mobile device?

How about keeping some payphones around for them.

[underahedgerow]

3. Like who? No offense, but who doesn't have a mobile phone now?

They are universally accessible...

The only people I see using phone booths these days are homeless people who've found private little shelters. No one goes in them since they're left stinking of urine and poo.

In airport, train and bus stations they will still be useful.

[B Calm]

4. I forgot to pack my cell phone once before driving my 18 wheeler

to Detroit. My dispatcher who was trying to get a hold of me, couldn't do it. Finally he sent a message to the truck computer for me to call him. I was surprised to learn I couldn't even find a pay phone at a rest area. Ended up asking another truck driver if I could use his phone.

[Skittles]

38. just ask anyone if you can use their phone

[oberliner]

5. 1 out of every 20 New Yorkers

Mostly older and poorer folks.

[polly7]

8. I worry about those people without access to a phone, especially in the winter. nt.

[underahedgerow]

10. Like who?

Who doesn't have access to a phone, other than the Amish?

[hobbit709]

11. you really must be under a hedge row if you don't understand some people don't

have a cell phone. Or it might have gotten broken or the battery died. Or a prepaid one used up the minutes.
People living on the edge don't have everything.

[underahedgerow]

14. I guess I operate on the back-up plan b-z factor.... as in

when back up plan A fails, you work your way down the list of all the other back up plans.

I wouldn't even know what to do with a phone booth.

Has the US stopped distributing phone books yet? Some EU countries have. People can still order them but they're not automatically shipped out every year anymore.

[hobbit709]

16. When plan A is dependent on money you don't have, what then?

It's easy to make plans for backup when you have time and money to spare.
When you have a dollar in your pocket and haven't eaten you're SOL on worrying about a phone.
I know quite a few people in the damn near homeless and broke situation. I help them out when I can but my $968/mo SS doesn't go very far after my expenses.

[Orrex]

20. The answer, as in all cases like this, is "have more money."

Having trouble making ends meet? Your problem is that you don't have more money.

Struggling under debt and still starving and freezing? Your problem is that you don't have more money.

Don't have the latest price-gouging iPhone? Your problem is that you don't have more money.


It's amazing how often this sentiment shows up on DU, and it shows just how many people have no idea what it's like to face financial hardship. At least this time we didn't get a lecture about how the person really does understand poverty...

[underahedgerow]

23. Manpower is a decent resource. Local adverts for cleaners... scrubbing toilets

isn't glamourous but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

I'v been homeless and broke and not so long ago either.

It gets a LOT worse as we get older too. Scary stuff.

[WinkyDink]

40. So you're not in the US? YES, we get phone books. We're First World, remember?

[polly7]

13. I didn't have a cell phone apart from one at work until my dog

chewed up my landline phone a little while ago, so I've borrowed an extra from a friend until I decide if I really want one permanently or not .... I've actually had to use payphones in the city for various reasons within the last few years. Most elderly people I know do not carry a cellphone with them, if they even own one - they're used to seeing public payphones and have been known to rely on them while out.

Who? The homeless and poor, the elderly, as the poster I replied to stated.

I do think having public Wi-fi that available is a fantastic idea, I just worry about those unable to use it having no means to communicate. Many businesses will not even allow the homeless to use the phones in their lobbies.

What would you suggest for all those without the means to buy a cellphone?

[underahedgerow]

27. Most people in functioning society are doing well enough to have the barest minimum mobile

phone. I'm not here to solve all the problems for all the homeless, mentally ill, elderly and marginalized people.

That being said, all the elderly people I know have mobile phones. It would be silly not to in this day and age, what with aging fragility and fractured families (meaning grandpa spends a lot of time alone). I'm physically fragile; between bad ankles and knees, I don't go out my door into the garden without my mobile phone, and if my ma were still alive and in MY condition I would make sure she had a mobile within reach at all times. I fell about 10 years ago, alone in my house, dislocated my knee. Had to drag myself across the house to the effing landline as my mobile was even further away. It took almost 3 hours to get help into the house and me off to the ER.

[polly7]

28. Many people do not have the barest minimum.

Those are the ones I'm worried about.

I'm glad most elderly people you know have cellphones and take them out, those I know mostly do not - including my mother, who refuses one, some of my aunts and uncles - the same, some neighbours and friends - they're not apparently as tech-savvy as those you know. Of course they should all have one, but they don't.

[underahedgerow]

30. More than 90% of the adults in the USA have mobile phones. 97% of people under the age of 44

have them. (Pew Research)

I'm sure it will all work out just fine.

[polly7]

33. I'm sure it will, for those who have the ability to communicate in an emergency,

..... or for any reason at all. There are still those that don't. Not sure what your problem is with acknowledging it and caring about what resource is left for them?

[underahedgerow]

36. I don't have any problem.

It's all good.

[WinkyDink]

12. I don't. I have zero family, no job, and my 3 friends can wait for a call. So tell me why I need a

cellphone.

[underahedgerow]

15. No one said you need a mobile phone. Would you use a public telephone booth

out on the street though?

[WinkyDink]

39. The "no offense, but" I inferred to mean "people need them." Yes, I would use and have used public

phones. I don't see your point. I'm not paying any monthly fee to use them.

[thesquanderer]

22. Only 4% of New Yorkers don't have cell phones

which actually beats the national average.

Still in a city with so many million people, 4% is still an awful lot of people.

Also, this is only among adults (i.e. over 18). There are lots of kids, old enough to be out and about on their own, who don't necessarily have their own cell phones.

Now how much did these non cell uses use pay phones? A different question, I don't know.

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/city-hall/2015/11/8583262/vast-majority-new-york-city-residents-own-cell-phone

[truegrit44]

24. Raising hand...............

"who doesn't have a mobile phone now?" ME!
Low income but could afford one, just don't want one. Folks think your from another planet if you tell them you don't have one. I guess it is just the norm now and they can't understand how anyone could do without one.

[Jim Beard]

37. I am so glad there are Democrats that still poopoo the homeless

[LanternWaste]

9. And teletype machines too...

And teletype machines too... keep some around for those who want to send an overseas cable to relatives still in the old world.

[underahedgerow]

17. We could go old school back to Morse Code. Semaphores even.....

Telegrams!

Landshark....

[polly7]

21. And the poor and homeless can just go back to using their feet to get about.

Vehicles! Public transportation!

Come on ... it's not that easy and has nothing to do with not advancing alongside technology. At least for those who don't have the choice.

[LeftyMom]

43. If you're poor you can get a universal lifeline cell phone for free.

Not a particularly nice phone and no extras like data, but it beats the hell out of trying to find a working pay phone.

[vaberella]

6. We New Yorkers are amazing. Glad to hear it. n/t

[Hortensis]

31. SECURE high-speed wi-fi!

[mercuryblues]

7. where

will Superman go to change his clothes and protect the city?

[eppur_se_muova]

18. I think Starbucks lets him use their back room. nt

[Bluenorthwest]

19. Will that rid them of the stench of urine?

nt

[KamaAina]

25. Verizon started doing that a while ago

at least in Manhattan. Nice to see it go citywide, though. And you don't have to be on Verizon.

[Javaman]

26. You mean they aren't public bathrooms like they were in the '70's and '80's? LOL

good times...

[Victor_c3]

29. I kind of hoped they'd turn them into masturbatoriums

Feeling a little frisky in the loins when you're out and about? No problem! Just head to the nearest public masturbatorium. Now there is even less of a reason to masturbate in public.

[Hortensis]

34. That's private enterprise,

and it would be astonishing if "coming soon" doesn't take on the expected other meaning in no time at all.

[WinkyDink]

41. WTH cares so much if I or my Aunt Fanny has a cell-phone?! MYODB. Oh, NEW YORKERS have them? Well,

then! And your Granny does, too? Who gives a flying one?

[edhopper]

42. Most payphones in New York don't work

they only stay there for the advertising on the side.
This is very welcome.

[Liberal_in_LA]

44. great idea