BT is installing new next generation ‘Street Hubs’ throughout Southport and removing redundant phone boxes.
The new facilities are free to use and fully accessible which will provide ultrafast public and encrypted Wi-Fi, access to public services, multiple accessibility options, while powered by 100% renewable carbon-free energy.
BT said: “At no cost to taxpayers or end users, Street Hubs provide communities with an unprecedented suite of essential urban tools.”
The new BT Street Hubs will also incorporate two digital 75″ LCD advert screens.
They will provide secure power-only USB ports for rapid device charging; free phone calls; a direct 999 call button; display community and emergency (ie police) awareness messaging; and environmental sensors to measure air quality, noise, traffic and more.
Street Hubs are free-standing structures featuring a fully accessible tablet interface and digital HD display screens on two sides.
Overall Street Hub dimensions are 35cm deep and 123.6cm wide (reduced tapered footprint is 120.1cm), with a height of 298cm to maximise the Wi-Fi range without dominating the street. A narrow base limits the footprint while ensuring access to wheelchair users.
The screens display content at 10-second intervals, both the commercial content that funds the service as well as a wide range of local community and council content.
Planning applications for the new facilities have been submitted for:
- Outside WH Smith and Southport Post Office, 22-24 Chapel Street, Southport
- Outside Southport Train Station, Chapel Street, Southport
- Outside Nationwide Building Society at 25 – 27 London Street Southport
- Outside Specsavers at 19 Eastbank Street Southport
- Outside Vodafone, 60 Chapel Street, Southport
- Outside Tesco Extra supermarket, Town Lane, Kew, Southport
The Street Hubs will be Inspected weekly and cleaned at least every two weeks, and will be monitored 24/7.
There will be direct access to charities through the use of the dedicated charity icon on the fully accessible interactive tablet, and a Community Notice Board with over 1,000 hours of content per year – the Street Hub team can work with local groups to promote events and activities.
There will be discount advertising for local business groups such as BIDs and Chambers of Commerce and their members through the Street Hub Partners Programme.
Business Rates for each location are paid when requested by the council, ensuring Street Hubs make an ongoing financial contribution to the local area.
The Street Hubs have proved popular in other areas.
Sir Richard Leese Leader of Manchester City Council said: “We have always been a city with an eye for opportunity and believe the range of free services the InLinks provide is a significant contribution to the Greater Manchester Digital Strategy. As a city, we plan to continue to encourage and support digital innovation which strengthens businesses and investment.”
Councillor Chris Hammond, Leader of Southampton City Council, said: “By providing facilities for people to make free calls, access free WiFi and information and charge their phones, we move one step closer to becoming an attractive modern city where people are proud to live and work.”
In the application, BT said: “BT is continuing to move forward with public connectivity and Street Hubs will provide a sleek and modern answer to the demands of a digitally connected society.
“BT Street Hub has all the existing benefits of the previous structure but with better Wi-Fi range, air quality monitoring, insight counting and small cell mobile connectivity.
“The addition of the 5G small cells to Street Hubs is very much in line with the current UK Government’s guidance on telecommunications developments and the National Infrastructure Strategy.
“The Street Hub will help to future proof the high street making them smarter, safer, and more sustainable.
“Investment in the high street is at an all time low, but that has not slowed BT down as they look to ramp up the upgrade of their kiosk estate with the rollout of the new Street Hubs across the UK.
“They are continuing their commitment to invest and improve the high street one Street Hub at a time, and with that decluttering these environments with the associated removal of existing BT phone boxes.”
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