BT is looking to put a new ‘Street Hub’ in the centre of Spalding.
It has applied to put the InLink UK service up outside Boots.
It will offer free public Wi-Fi, calls, USB charging, an emergency services button as well as two screens which advertising can be shown on.
The company has been putting them up in local towns to replace existing phone booths, however documents submitted with the application state it is not looking to do that in Spalding because ‘it was felt to be in an inappropriate location for a Street Hub.
“BT has a universal service obligation with Ofcom to provide a street level phone service, so the selection process of kiosks to be removed had to cater for this, however there is a recognition that the use of phone boxes has dramatically changed since kiosks were first conceived, whilst now the need for Wi-Fi and mobile coverage has increased massively.
“In this respect we have tried to build a sequence of Street Hub sites wherever possible, so that this can improve the user connectivity experience as they travel through an area.”
The report to planning officers also says it can provide the council with ‘valuable data’ with ‘air, sound and light’ monitors.
“Street Hubs have the capability to monitor pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicle movements, hence in building a strategic network of Street Hub units it will help the council to monitor and develop travel plans for the area,” the documents state.
