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NYC To Replace Most of Its Payphones With Free Gigabit WiFi In 2015

Posted by Soulskill on from the gotta-head-to-the-payphone-to-torrent-something dept.

mrspoonsi writes: New York City announced today it has picked the companies that will deliver the technology behind its deployment of free, gigabit Wi-Fi to pay phone stations throughout the city. The LinkNYC stations will also include charging outlets, touchscreen displays that interface with city services, and free U.S. calling. It will be funded through advertising. Construction will begin in 2015, and officials expect up to 10,000 stations to be installed before it's done.

11 of 106 comments (clear)

  1. expect verizon and at&t to sue by alen · · Score: 4, Interesting

    NYC is taking away their data overages money

    1. Re:expect verizon and at&t to sue by peragrin · · Score: 4, Informative

      NYC doubles T-mobile bandwidth and cell spots in one shot.

      T mobile has wifi calling. Verizon and AT&T do not.

      --
      i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
  2. My guess? by mariox19 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    They're doing it to spy on people.

    --

    quiquid id est, timeo puellas et oscula dantes.

    1. Re:My guess? by RussR42 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Sorry, it's actually an elaborate plot by Lex Luthor to delay Superman with internet cat videos every time he goes to change.

  3. Municipal WiFi by sheddd · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Can be a lot cheaper than other ways of spying; Associate a person with wireless MAC's or shudder their Facebook account and you've got NSA class intel, and better location data.

    1. Re:Municipal WiFi by NotInHere · · Score: 3

      Yes, I also hate "free" WiFi where you have to login first, or install some stupid app. It should just simply work without all that.

  4. Re:There are still any payphones to replace ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I haven't seen a payphone on the streets in years.
    The last time I saw one was in Penn Station

    Take your eyes of your iPhone for 30 seconds and yes, Virginia, you too will see a payphone on the street....

  5. Re:There are still any payphones to replace ? by MightyYar · · Score: 4, Informative

    The boxes are still there - or at least the pedestals. Here's a picture. They are on every block. They sell ad space on them, so they aren't going to pull them down :)

    --
    W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
  6. Re:Wifi what about the poor saps by iggymanz · · Score: 3, Informative

    Didn't you get the memo, subsidized phone service for the poor started under Reagon, was expanded under Clinton, and under George W. Bush came to include cell/wireless. google "lifeline" program

  7. No gadget required. Or eyes. Or mouth... by denzacar · · Score: 4, Informative

    http://www.link.nyc/

    Key Features

    24/7 free Internet access with up to gigabit speeds
    Integrated lighting
    Digital displays to provide insight-driven and intelligently programmed advertising & public service announcements
    Android tablet with touch screen display, directional speaker & microphone
    Tactile keypad & Braille lettering, dedicated 911 button, USB charger, headphone jack
    Iconic and durable aluminum construction designed and built in NYC
    Sleek design and decreased footprint to restore sidewalk space and improve visual continuity

    --
    Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens
  8. Re:There are still any payphones to replace ? by operator_error · · Score: 3, Interesting

    That YouTube video points out each cellphone currently generates $40 - 60K annually in services. Also, it says the most valuable asset that these units offer is the pre-existing infrastructure of power and telecommunication cables. They're not going anywhere, although collecting coins to complete phone calls might not happen much longer.