Wandsworth residents can now enjoy free phone calls and mega-fast wi-fi from new network of multi-media hubs

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Wandsworth Council
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Wandsworth residents can now enjoy free phone calls and mega-fast wi-fi from new network of multi-media hubs

Postby Wandsworth Council » Fri Mar 16, 2018 6:01 pm

Wandsworth residents can now charge their mobile phones, make free calls and surf the net via ultra-fast wi-fi at a network of digital communication hubs across the borough.

Initially 22 new InLinks multi-media hubs are being installed across Wandsworth as direct replacements for 44 obsolete payphone kiosks, and more are planned for the coming months. This week saw the first ones switched on and fully activated.
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They offer local people free calls and access to free ultra-fast wi-fi (1(Gbps) and according to InLinkUK the download speeds deliver “the fastest and most robust public wi-fi network in the UK”, offering speeds up to 85 times faster than “standard broadband”.

This means that in optimal conditions people will be able to download a two hour film on to a handset or tablet in around 12 seconds, while a 45 minute TV show would be available to watch after less than two seconds and a five minute YouTube video in less than half a second. Built-in safeguards mean the units don’t allow adult content to be downloaded.

People can also make free landline and mobile phone calls via an integrated touchscreen – especially important for those on limited pay-as-you-go plans or out of credit - and also for those whose phones are out of charge. It also has a dedicated emergency button that allows people without phones to call 999.
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Digital screens display local maps and weather information, alongside travel information about local bus, tube and rail services. The screens are also expected to carry local information from organisations like the council and the police as well as community content. Some commercial advertising will also be shown to meet the cost of providing this free public service.

The units also feature two waterproof USB ports which can be used to charge up mobile phones and tablets, including those with the latest “fast charge” technology. This means these latest generation phones could get a ten per cent charge in under three minutes.

Removing obsolete old phone kiosks also means less street clutter on pavements. The modern replacements are much thinner and sleeker and require a smaller footprint than the kiosks they are replacing thus freeing up more pavement space for pedestrians.
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The InLinkUK from BT communications service is planning to install around 75 of these new hi-tech units in total across Wandsworth meaning this latest on-street technology could soon be available in virtually every neighbourhood in the borough. In each case they will replace two redundant BT payphone kiosks.

Community services spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook said: “These impressive multi-media hubs offer the public a really excellent range of free services and I am delighted they’ve arrived in Wandsworth.

“Their introduction means that residents and visitors to our borough can now enjoy free phone calls, free mega-fast wi-fi and access to travel updates, maps, local guides plus wide ranging information on local public services.

“I checked the download speed on one in Clapham Junction yesterday and was amazed at how fast it was. It frankly dwarfed anything that most residents and businesses will be used to.

“Their sleek, slim, aluminium-style design are a much more useful and attractive sight than the now largely redundant pay phone kiosks they are replacing, none of which are of the famous traditional red Gilbert Scott design. And with every single InLink hub replacing two payphone kiosks it also means a lot less clutter on pour streets.”

Neil Scoresby, BT’s general manager for Payphones and InLinkUK said: “It’s great news that we’ve started to roll-out the next generation phone box in Wandsworth. The digital services will make a big difference for people on-the-go who all need information quickly whether they live there or are visiting this borough and want to discover more about it. Charging points, free phone calls, ultrafast Wi-Fi, maps and local information will all be well-used I’m sure.”
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Goldhawk
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Re: Wandsworth residents can now enjoy free phone calls and mega-fast wi-fi from new network of multi-media hubs

Postby Goldhawk » Fri Mar 16, 2018 9:42 pm

Looks like a massive advertising hoarding to me

Or is the man really really short?

Yet more clutter on the pavements
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NVHusband
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Re: Wandsworth residents can now enjoy free phone calls and mega-fast wi-fi from new network of multi-media hubs

Postby NVHusband » Sun Mar 18, 2018 5:11 pm

These structures are disguised "advertising billboards".
They are awful and unfortunately a few have gone up on Northcote Rd.
There was little to no consultation with the local community despite a significant number of objections in the planning stages.

I have never seen anyone use them.
They are an eyesore and have been installed purely to make money for BT.
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juliantenniscoach
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Re: Wandsworth residents can now enjoy free phone calls and mega-fast wi-fi from new network of multi-media hubs

Postby juliantenniscoach » Sun Mar 18, 2018 10:02 pm

I had a great laugh reading the OP. Because I thought it was all about BT, advertising and money. Silly me!
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addled
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Re: Wandsworth residents can now enjoy free phone calls and mega-fast wi-fi from new network of multi-media hubs

Postby addled » Mon Mar 19, 2018 8:51 am

Will tramps use them as toilets?
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Re: Wandsworth residents can now enjoy free phone calls and mega-fast wi-fi from new network of multi-media hubs

Postby Jellie75 » Mon Apr 16, 2018 9:53 am

Ah, so that’s what they are!

They’ve plonked one on Lavender Hill by the junction with Eland Road and it’s restricting the view of on coming traffic making it difficult to pull out of the junction now!
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Re: Wandsworth residents can now enjoy free phone calls and mega-fast wi-fi from new network of multi-media hubs

Postby B-M » Mon Apr 16, 2018 11:13 am

How quickly and easily will they be vandalized I wonder?
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Re: Wandsworth residents can now enjoy free phone calls and mega-fast wi-fi from new network of multi-media hubs

Postby storm35 » Mon Apr 16, 2018 3:15 pm

There is one at the end of my street, the quieter end of Northcote Road and I've not seen anyone use it. Its tall, bright and uninviting. Not clear at all what you can do with it. Personally I cannot see myself standing in the street to charge my phone or download a movie, even if it is super fast. Who carries a charger cable around a local neighbourhood?
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Re: Wandsworth residents can now enjoy free phone calls and mega-fast wi-fi from new network of multi-media hubs

Postby Sfk1 » Tue Apr 17, 2018 1:49 pm

I think they are brilliant. The other night had forgotten my keys and my phone was out of charge so I could not call my partner. Hopped on the booth, made the call, problem solved!
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Re: Wandsworth residents can now enjoy free phone calls and mega-fast wi-fi from new network of multi-media hubs

Postby Beketaten » Tue Apr 17, 2018 3:08 pm

I looked at one last night. To connect to the wifi you have to accept the following terms, which I was not willing to do!

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"I understand and consent that my personal data may be transferred, stored and processed outside of the EEA."

So I guess I won't be using these then.
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Re: Wandsworth residents can now enjoy free phone calls and mega-fast wi-fi from new network of multi-media hubs

Postby atbattersea » Tue Apr 17, 2018 4:15 pm

Sfk1 wrote:I think they are brilliant. The other night had forgotten my keys and my phone was out of charge so I could not call my partner. Hopped on the booth, made the call, problem solved!
You see, we used to have these things called telephone boxes, marvelous invention - for tuppence you could be electronically connected to a real person!

Anyway, these things look like exactly what they are intended to be, despite the usual Wandsworth Council doublespeak - they are just glorified advertising hoardings. WBC don't seem to recognise that these add clutter to an already crowded urban environment, with much larger illuminated sites all over the borough. The Council must be earning out of it, because somehow this ugliness is acceptable, where it's absolutely forbidden to put a sympathetic loft conversion on the front of your property (or even install double glazing in some areas)!?
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