Announcing a new 10 year partnership, BT and media and entertainment heavyweight Global, have joined forces to energize public phone and communications hubs. As Telecoms Tech News reports, the two have pledged to upgrade the nation’s legacy payphones and to deliver more digital hubs for the general public. Working together will combine traditional resources like payphones and ATMs with expanded WiFi and 4G and 5G connectivity options. Global has said that it anticipates converting 2,000 conventional BT payphones to new Street Hub models over the lifetime of the partnership.
“We are absolutely delighted to continue our partnership with BT for at least another 10 years,” stated Global Group CEO, Stephen Miron. “Street Hubs have become increasingly attractive to advertisers, given their striking presence and prominent positioning on the major streets across the U.K. Together with BT, we have very exciting and ambitious plans to significantly expand the Street Hub network, alongside some highly innovative solutions for advertisers. BT has been a great partner, and we look forward to continuing this relationship over the next decade.”
BT and Global were united in praising the communications capabilities of the Street Hubs, with delivery of secure connectivity at speeds of up to 1 Gbps within a 150-meter radius. The units are equipped with a dedicated 999 [emergency] calling button and USB ports for free device charging, according to the Tech News. The touch-screen tablets can also real-time public information from local communities, and can include digital, street-level advertising to promote local businesses.
“BT’s payphones have long been an iconic feature on the U.K.’s streets – and with the way we all communicate changing, today’s announcement marks a further step into the future,” noted Bas Burger, CEO-Business at BT. “There are already almost 1,000 modern digital Street Hubs bringing communication benefits to local communities across the U.K. By bringing together BT’s rock-solid connectivity with Global’s unrivaled expertise in out-of-home advertising, we can almost triple this number over the next decade.”
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