NewsNational

Actions

Pay phones in New York City to be reborn as 10,000 internet ‘links'

Posted at 7:52 PM, Nov 17, 2014
and last updated 2014-11-17 21:14:40-05

What’s old is new again.

New York City announced Monday its plan to replace its nearly 9,000 remaining payphones with sleek, aluminum touch screen Internet hubs.

The LinkNYC stations will provide free Wi-Fi internet, USB charging and access to city services. They’ll even make free domestic phone calls – no quarters needed.

When the 10,000 Link network is complete at the end of 2015, it will be the largest and fastest municipal Wi-Fi network in the world, LinkNYC said in a press release.

The project will be funded by digital advertising, which is expected to generate $500 million in city revenue over 12 years.

Gavin Stern is a national digital producer for the Scripps National Desk. Follow him on twitter at @GavinStern or email him at gavin.stern@scripps.com.