InLinkUK debuts in London; Wi-Fi kiosks double up as advertising media

Intersection, the company behind the free gigabit-speed Wi-Fi hot spots that have popped up around New York City over the last few years, has launched a new network of the kiosks in London, reports The Verge. The network is called InLinkUK, and the kiosks are called InLinks. The report states that Intersection is working with telecom provider BT and outdoor advertising company Primesight to replace over 1,000 pay phones in major UK cities with InLink kiosks.

Some of the InLink kiosks will replace London’s iconic phone boxes, but InLinkUK says the “majority of the red phone boxes will remain to preserve this iconically British part of the streetscape.”

The kiosks will be more than just a Wi-Fi hot spot. Each one has a touchscreen tablet for access to maps and other city services, and they can also be used to make phone calls. There are USB ports for on-the-go charging emergencies, and for real trouble there’s a dedicated 999 button (the UK’s version of 911). They also won’t allow web browsing. The big displays on either side will be used for advertising, but they’ll also relay information about weather and status updates for the Tube, London’s underground rail service.