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Written question asked by Julian Knight (Independent (affiliation)) on Friday, 1 September 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 September 2023. It was answered by John Whittingdale (Conservative) on Tuesday, 12 September 2023 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Public Telephones

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has had recent discussions with BT Group PLC on the (a) protection and (b) restoration of red telephone boxes.

Answer

Ofcom, the UK’s telecommunications regulator, is responsible for the regulation of public call boxes (PCBs). Under the telephony universal service obligation (USO), BT and KCOM are required to provide telephony services throughout the UK, including PCBs. BT and KCOM are required to ensure the adequate provision, repair and maintenance of PCBs.

In November 2021, Ofcom published a consultation and acknowledged that the process to remove PCBs was not working as effectively as it could. Previously, local authorities were able to veto the removal of the last public call box in an area.

In June 2022, Ofcom officially amended the rules regarding the removal of PCBs. Ofcom removed the local veto process and replaced it with a set of strengthened criteria which would ensure PCBs that are still needed are protected from removal. The criteria protect PCBs where:

  • they do not have coverage from all four mobile network providers; or
  • are located in an area with a high frequency of accidents or suicides; or
  • they have made 52 or more calls over the past 12 months (i.e. the equivalent of one call per week); or
  • there is other evidence of a reasonable need for the PCB.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
196184
Session
2022-23
Related items
Public Telephones: Repairs and Maintenance
Tuesday, 12 September 2023
Written questions
House of Commons
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Public telephones BT Group
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk