Dianora, 4 months ago

@AwattoAnalog Some day it will be possible to buy a cellphone + plan for less than it costs to pay for a phone call from one of those.

ottaross, 4 months ago

@Dianora @AwattoAnalog a progressive idea would be to mandate their presence for safety and make calls on them free.

Voice calls don't really cost an operator anything anymore – it could be a required public service for participation in operating cellular bandwidth.

Dianora, 4 months ago

@ottaross @AwattoAnalog Basic Income for all IMO.

ottaross, 4 months ago

@Dianora @AwattoAnalog oh yes, that too, but at least free phone calls are quick and easy.

fwaggle, 4 months ago

@ottaross @Dianora @AwattoAnalog For a model of this, Australia has phased out payphones but our primary network operator is still required to keep some number of them for universal access.

They're free for standard calls (eg home VOIP, mobiles, and any residual landlines) within Australia, you only pay for international and toll calls. They also apparently do a free Wi-Fi service if you're near one, but I don't know how that works.

ottaross, 4 months ago

@fwaggle @Dianora @AwattoAnalog a good move. Makes a lot of sense.