in case you need to call the Gardai
Socialist Party Howth Malahide local election candidate Brian Greene has slammed the Eircom decision to axe 2151 pay phone call boxes by April. The privatisation of Telecom Eireann caused Ireland to slip in international tables of Internet speeds because Eircom dragged its heals in high speed Internet infrastructure, now it is removing some peoples only high speed access via WiFi at its call boxes, and the last resort to make an emergency phone call on the street when you are without a mobile phone, power or credit.
“Eircom enabled many of the countries phone boxes for Wifi access and sold this advantage of free access to its customers. Now Eircom is axing call boxes as phone call revenue & advertising revenue falls. How much profit must Eircom make before service provision is secured?” asks Mr. Greene
As an example the pair of call boxes at Sutton Cross are selected to be removed after March 16th. “While we campaign for the sensible citing of mobile telephony we must defend call boxes for their social needs too.”
Eircom’s wish to axe 50% of call boxes nationally, also makes for a poor and shortsighted decision. Within a year or two fourth generation (4G) mobile telephony will be seeking many more close proximity & closer to the ground installation sites. As phone boxes remain planning exempt for the old incumbent and are free to use unregulated WiFi spectrum some of the call boxes would make excellent sites for 4G boosters.
“It is the drive for profit and not the provision of a public utility that is driving the privatised Eircom to destroy our states network of phone boxes. It is as stupid as the removal of the Hill of Howth Tramway 50 years ago this June.” said Mr. Greene.