Do you remember that once upon a time, we used to put coins into a telephone, when we actually wanted to speak with someone? Not any more.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said LinkNYC, a plan proposed by a group of companies working together under the name CityBridge, had been selected to replace the old pay phone system. Up to 10,000 column-like devices would be placed in all five boroughs starting next year if the plan is approved by the city’s Franchise and Concession Review Committee.
The devices, along with Wi-Fi, would also have touchscreens for users to access city agencies and digital displays for advertising and announcements.
The devices would replace 8,400 pay phones in 6,452 installations around the city. The only pay phones left would be three booth-style pay phones on the Upper West Side that would be preserved as pieces of New York City history.