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'Links' kiosks to offer free Wi-Fi, mobile charging, calls and local information in London

October 25, 2016

Link's public Wi-Fi access points will come to London in 2017, marking its first expansion outside of New York, thanks to a partnership with the BT telecom company, according to BT's website.

Users within range of a Link will be able to access free Wi-Fi with speeds of up to 1Gbps - the fastest free public Wi-Fi service available. Each kiosk will provide gigabit Wi-Fi connections, two USB charging ports for devices, a touchscreen tablet for pulling up maps, and free calls to U.K. landlines and mobile phones.

Link's booths included touchscreen tables when they launched in New York City in February, allowing users to browse the Internet for free. The company disabled the feature after it was reported that people were camping in front of the booths to access pornography. 

LinkUK from BT services will be funded by revenues from advertising on the Links’ digital displays and will be free to users.

BT will allocate 5 percent of the advertising airtime to benefit local communities working with councils.

The Links will have sensors that can capture real-time data relating to the local environment – such as air and noise pollution, outdoor temperature and traffic conditions. This could eventually provide new range of smart services to local councils and communities based on the Internet of Things.