BT has submitted several planning applications to Gwynedd Council seeking permission to remove old phone boxes and install ‘Street Hubs’ with digital advertising screens in Bangor.

 

According to the application Street Hubs are “cutting edge payphone upgrades that keep communities connected. The services they offer are accessible to all – bringing greater digital access and more awareness of local services to more people.”

Street Hubs provide a free digital service. Ultra-fast wi-fi, phone calls to UK landline and mobile phones, council services via the touchscreen tablet and device charging are all free. International and premium rate phone calls can also be made using a calling card.

Under the plans the old BT phone boxes would be removed and replaced by the new Street Hubs, which include two digital 75 inch LCD display screens for advertising.

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.

The two screens automatically dim at night to minimise disturbances to residents in the evening.

Why BT Street Hubs?

  • Free calls and wi-fi
  • Call anyone in the UK for free. Up to 1Gbps wi-fi and 4G/5G capabilities.
  • Touch-screen tablet
  • Easily find and interact with local information, maps and council services.
  • Free rapid device charging
  • Two waterproof USB ports with Quick Charge 2.0.
  • Dedicated 999 button
  • Emergency services button that automatically shares its location

Where will the Bangor Street Hubs be located?

  • Footpath Outside 305 High Street (Wales Air Ambulance)
  • Footpath Outside 275 High Street (Bwyd Da Bangor)
  • Footpath Outside Morrisons, Holyhead Road
  • Footpath Outside 219 High Street (W H Smith)
  • Footpath Outside Unit 6 (Superdrug) The Menai Centre

To find out more about BT Street Hubs visit:

https://business.bt.com/public-sector/street-hubs/street-hubs-for-the-public/