LinkUK

LinkUK or InLinkUK is an infrastructure project that planned to cover major cities in the United Kingdom with free Wi-Fi service. LinkUK kiosks, called Links, was initially rolled out in the London borough of Camden in 2017, and later in Lambeth, Hammersmith & Fulham and other boroughs. Afterwards, it was intended that Links would be installed in the remainder of Greater London and eventually across major cities in the UK. LinkUK is an expansion of the LinkNYC project covering New York City with free Wi-Fi service.[1][2][3]

This article is about the phone box network. For the cash machine network, see LINK (UK).
LinkUK
FoundedOctober 25, 2016 (2016-10-25)
HeadquartersLondon, England, United Kingdom
Area served
Greater London; Sheffield; Birmingham; Portsmouth
BrandsLinkUK
ServicesWireless communication
OwnerIntersection, BT Group, Primesight
Websitehttp://www.inlinkuk.com/

InLink Limited, the company set up to install and manage InLinkUK's WiFi kiosks, together with BT, Intersection and advertising firm Primesight, entered administration in 2019, casting doubt over the future of the project.[4] To resolve the problem, BT purchased the part of the InLink network that they did not already own,[5] and re-branded the kiosks as "Street Hubs",[6] and in 2021 launched the next, improved version.[7]

History

In 2015, BT Group sought an advertising partner to maintain advertisements situated in its 17,500 telephone booths across the UK. BT ultimately partnered with Intersection, the owner of LinkNYC, and Primesight, a London-based advertising agency. BT will remove certain telephone booths for the Links and provide the network infrastructure. In return, Intersection and Primesight will display advertising on two dedicated screens on the kiosks.[8]

Services

The Links will provide free Wi-Fi access with speeds up to 1 gigabit per second, while displays on both sides of the Link will display digital advertisements. The Links feature a tablet, two USB charging ports, and a phone providing free calling to UK numbers.[1] Devices can access the Links' network without time or access limits.[8] Each Link's tablet will provide basic functionality, such as maps and access to emergency services.[9]

Complaints

While LinkNYC was being rolled out, kiosks' web browsers were being used to access inappropriate content such as pornography. Amid this concern, LinkUK kiosks' tablets will not have a web browser.[10]

In the UK there have been complaints that the free phone service is being exploited by drug dealers.[11] [12]

References
  1. Lunden, Ingrid (2016). "LinkNYC's free WiFi and phone kiosks hit London as LinkUK, in partnership with BT". TechCrunch. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  2. McCormick, Rich (2016). "Link brings its free public Wi-Fi booths from New York to London". The Verge. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  3. "London is next in line for Google-backed gigabit Wi-Fi". PCWorld. 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  4. Jackson, Mark (18 December 2019). "Company Behind BT InLinkUK WiFi Kiosks Enters Administration". ISPreview UK.
  5. Jackson, Mark (23 December 2019). "BT to Purchase Entire UK Estate of InLinkUK WiFi Kiosks". ISPreview UK.
  6. Jackson, Mark (23 April 2020). "BT Part Fixes InLink Kiosk Problem – Rebrands to Street Hubs". ISPreview UK.
  7. Jackson, Mark (3 June 2021). "ISP BT Launch Next Gen UK WiFi Street Hub Kiosks with 5G Boost". ISPreview UK.
  8. "Fact Sheet" (PDF). LinkUK. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  9. "Wanaport hotel wifi services". Sunday, 6 June 2021
  10. Osborne, Charlie. "London's Link smart kiosks will be stripped down due to NYC complaints". ZDNet. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
  11. Hopkins, Steven (10 September 2017). "BT Digital Kiosks Expansion Halted After Claims They're 'Used Mainly For Drug Dealing'". Huffington Post UK.
  12. Taylor, Harry (7 June 2018). "Dial a dealer: Camden to stop roll-out of new BT InLink kiosks after they get used by drug dealers". Hampstead and Highgate Express.
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