In Australia, like much of the world, pay phones have become money-losing monuments to the rise of cell phones. But Pie Networks is trying to breathe new life into the relics by rolling out a new line of pay phones that run over a wireless or broadband Internet connection, can double as a WiFi hotspot and can dispense digital products..
The new VoIP pay phones, dubbed the WebPhone, has a handset, color monitor, full keyboard and looks similar to digital photo-printing kiosks. The company said the VoIP pay phone will be able to draw in mobile phone users by offering lower rates than some mobile plans. However, the company did not release the cost of WebPhone services.
"One of the reasons we think there is a big market for this product is that from a telecommunication carrier's perspective it offers an absolute and straight swap for their pay phones," said Campbell Smith, managing director of Pie Networks.
Additionally, the WebPhone enables users to browse the Internet, perform online transactions, and download music Campbell said the new pay phone could be attractive to rural customer lacking high-speed Internet, as well as casual business users waiting at airports.
Could a device like this catch on in the United States? It seems unlikely. Americans are steadily adopting VoIP for their households, but cell phones have rendered many pay phones, VoIP or not, unnecessary. Those needing continual Internet access are willing to pay the data charges for their Blackberry or smartphones. Many cities are also rolling out municipal WiFi networks, and Sprint/Nextel is gearing up a new WiMax network . Still, VoIP pay phones, especially ones that allow cheap Internet access, could have an audience. If the next generation pay phones could actually make a profit for telecos, then they might be popping up on American streets.

Marin Perez