As payphone technology becomes obsolete, Telstra have decided to introduce versatile webcentric kiosks in their place.
The good old payphone was yesterday’s technology, with figures indicating a drastic drop in usage as more people become dependent on mobile telephony. The Herald Sun reports since 2006, the number of payphones has dipped from 31,000 to 18,000.
In their place Telstra plan on releasing public internet kiosks, which have been touted as a “21st century upgrade for the payphone.”
The versatile webcentric kiosks are capable of internet browsing, web based phone calls and can even take online bill payments.
Fifty kiosks have been trialled across metropolitan airports nationally, with their development company pieNETWORKS revealing Telstra deem them a success after a four month trial.
“After analysing the information gathered from the market assessment, Telstra has advised pieNETWORKS that they deem the assessment a success, providing confirmation of the business case to consider expanding the network of terminals,” a PIEnetworks spokesperson said.
Former Telstra executive Justin Milne and recently appointed chairman of pieNETWORKS believes “Hotspot Webphones are a 21st century upgrade for the payphone.”
“These user-friendly touch screen and keyboard operated devices offer access to the Internet, WiFi, online payments (including coin slot payments for small bills and credit top-ups), telephony and direct access to a range of Telstra services.”
Although they intend on rolling out the new kiosks they have yet to comment on number.
