The telecommunications company is currently conducting a consultation on the proposed removal of public payphones where they do not meet Ofcom’s criteria for protection.
The criteria protect a phone box if it is the last remaining in an area where:
- It does not have coverage from all four mobile network providers; or
- It is location in an area with a high frequency of accidents or other emergencies; or
- It has made 52 or more calls over the past 12 months; or
- There is other evidence of a reasonable need for the phone box
BT have identified 47 public payphones in the area that are no longer needed following assessment using the criteria in Ofcom’s Review of the telephony universal service obligation.
Details of Payphones being considered for closure are available to view and download below.
Local authorities can make representations and provide evidence for BT to consider before a final decision is made, if it is felt that there are reasonable grounds to retain a phone box.
Individuals and communities are encouraged to respond to the Comhairle by 10 July 2025 if they feel there is a reasonable need to retain any of the listed phone boxes. Communities can also ‘adopt’ phone boxes to turn into something completely different visit Adopt a Kiosk for more information. You can make representation direct to BT until 15 July 2025 by emailing btp.authorisation.team@bt.com. BT will take account of representations when making their final decision which will be published on their website.
Equalities Monitoring
Please complete the Equalities Monitoring Form
This is used by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to provide essential statistical information about who participates in our consultations. The data is managed confidentially, is not personally attributable, and is processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act.