Public Payphones

Response to " Public Payphones" -  A consultation document issued by Oftel

Download full response in PDF format.

Executive Summary

Profitability of BT's Public Payphones, continues to fall in a declining core market while continuing to meet important social needs. Accordingly, we believe that the objective of this review should be to ensure that regulation is not an additional burden in a fragile market but is limited to only those issues that are essential for the protection of customers.

BT is committed to the public payphone service and our Universal Service Obligation [USO] Payphones are important in providing access to telephony for people on the move and visitors to the UK. However, it must be recognised that the proportion of customers for whom a payphone is essential has declined significantly and usage by those for whom a payphone is not essential has probably declined even more steeply.

BT would welcome further discussion on the contents of this paper with interested parties. In the first instance comments, questions, requests for further details or points of clarification should be addressed to:

Marcia Turner,
Regulatory Manager,
BT Retail
14-16 Dowgate Hill,
LONDON
EC4R 2SU

Tel :-020 7728 4131
Fax:-020 7248 4602
E-Mail: - marcia.turner@bt.com