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29
Jul
BT reverses decision on Ripon's final payphone
The last payphone in Ripon city centre that was facing permanent disconnection is to avoid BT’s axe.
This followed concerns raised by city councillors, who felt that having a landline phone available could prove vital in emergency situations by people who don't have mobile phones.
The council, which has adopted three of the four kiosks that stand in line on Market Square, asked BT to keep one payphone in use, but the telecommunications giant turned down the request.
Now, however, BT has reversed its decision saying following recent updates to Ofcom’s mobile coverage checker they have reviewed the latest data and this payphone no longer meets the criteria for removal.
Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams told the Stray Ferret:
I'm just grateful that common sense has prevailed.
When BT advised us that they were planning to decommission the city centre's final payphone we objected, because not everybody has a mobile phone and there are also times when mobile networks are down.
With both of those factors in mind, we pointed out that there may be situations, such as medical emergencies, when the availability of a payphone could save somebody's life.
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