One of the few good things that Telstra did in Australia was open up their whole old payphone network for free, nationwide.

Apparently they're a genuine lifeline for people fleeing from abusive relationships; they need to leave their mobile behind to avoid being tracked.

I wonder how this will work with the FCC's proposed regulation to require ID, address, and "alternate phone number" for anyone who make make a phone call.

Wow this article really gave me flashbacks of payphone phreaking back in the day to call my mom for permission to go somewhere.

How many phone numbers do you have memorized? These days I only know a few but I used to know dozens.

I should add a VoIP pay phone to my Little Free Library. A friend reported a pay phone in a dumpster near work and I was, at the time, feeling like I should rescue it, but I have too much stuff as it is.

I went to school with Patrick and I live a couple towns over from him. He knows his stuff that's for sure.

(2025) OP

Prior to that: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44188204

See also:

Futel (Portland, Wash. State etc) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42220598

Philtel (Philadelphia) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33851030

This is an example of the few places where something like this is feasible.

free-to-use pay phones

What an oxymoron. I suggest the term "public phone".

> free-to-use pay phones

Some redundant words there perhaps.

dudes rock