(ANSA) - LONDON, 09 NOV - In the age of smartphones and hyperconnection, the British regulatory authority for communication companies, Ofcom, goes against the tide and launches a plan to 'save' thousands of public telephone booths, recognizable all over the world for their typical red color, which has been closed for some time. The body has in fact pronounced itself against the indiscriminate retirement of those who remain fundamental means of communication for some areas of the United Kingdom, with low mobile telephone coverage, and which represent a real "lifeline" in case of emergency.
It is therefore expected that about 5 thousand telephone booths will be protected by the dismantling plans of the telephone giant Btin based on a series of parameters that make their presence necessary: in addition to poor telephone coverage, if they are in isolated areas where accidents or suicides often occur. , if at least 52 calls have been made at that point in the last year, or if emergency numbers have been used.
It is estimated that around 96% of adults in the UK own a mobile phone.
"Some of the phone booths we intend to protect are used to make a relatively low number of calls," said Ofcom manager Selina Chadha.
"But if one of those calls comes from a child in need, an accident victim, or someone contemplating suicide, that public telephone line can be a lifeline in a time of great need."
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