Public phones in rural areas remain important asset

THIS graph from Telstra breaks down the increase in calls from public phones in the 2022/23 financial year. Regional areas report a higher proportion of calls from payphones and their presence in towns looks like continuing for some time. Calls from payphones were made free two years ago, with about 22 per cent of the locations also offering free Wi-Fi. IMAGE: SUPPLIED.

By Mark Rabich

August 16, 2023 | 6:00 PM

WITH payphones offering free calls since August 2021 and rural areas still showing a higher proportional usage of them compared to larger cities, they may be around for some time yet in towns like Hamilton and surrounding areas.

New data shows the phones have become a lifeline for Aussies in vulnerable circumstances despite mobile phone ownership being almost ubiquitous.