News

NYC to hold hearing on Wi-Fi kiosks

May 4, 2016

The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission has said that it will issue a ruling on the deployment protocols of LinkNYC kiosks. The kiosks are designed to provide free Wi-Fi, phone calls and charging for mobile devices, according to a report by New York Yimby.

The kiosks, which formerly were payphones, are already governed by rules that specify where  payphones can be deployed. However, some interested parties have proposed additional rules regarding installation of the kiosks near historic landmarks.

Additional specifications would establish a limit of one kiosk per location; set a minimum distance between kiosks; and forbid the installation of new kiosks on pavements around or in front of historic landmarks. Should these rules pass, the LPC would not need to approve individual installations.

Public opinion has been mixed, with some arguing that the kiosks detract from historic landmarks. Others question the size of the kiosks, noting that the structures are made larger than necessary in order to accommodate advertisements.