Thousands of red UK phone boxes to be protected from closure

A cyclist wearing a face mask passes traditional red phone boxes, in London. Thousands of Britain’s iconic red phone boxes will be protected from removal under new rules, the telecoms regulator said on Nov 9, 2021. The public payphone boxes may appear obsolete relics to many in an age of smart mobile phones, but the telecoms regulator, Ofcom, said they can still be a ‘lifeline’ for people in need. — AP

LONDON: Thousands of Britain’s iconic red phone boxes will be protected from removal under new rules, the UK’s telecommunications regulator said on Nov 9.

The public payphone boxes may look like obsolete relics in an age of ubiquitous smartphones, but regulator Ofcom said they can still be a “lifeline” for people in need.