Mark Evans

Is the Pay Phone Dead?

Anyone used a pay telephone recently? If you said “no”, you’re probably not alone.

Once a telecom staple and a high-profile part of the urban landscape, pay phones are quickly disappearing as wireless devices become increasingly popular. In Finland where nearly everyone has a wireless phone, the pay phone is slated to disappear next month.

You won’t see many tears once the pay phone goes the way of the dinosaur but they have served us well since being launched in 1889 in Hartford, Conn. Before wireless devices became all the rage, a modest dime was all you needed to use a pay phone - although the cost has jumped to a scandalous $0.50 in Ontario and Quebec.

There is, however, hope that the pay phone - or, at least, the pay phone booth - could have some life left. These booths could be turned into Internet/e-mail access depots using Wi-Fi, which would be convenient for people without mobile Web access who want to access their e-mail, blog or send someone a photo.

For more, check out this Toronto Star story.

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