Old technologies in a modern communications landscape: public call boxes and universal service in the UK

Purpose This article analyses the responses to a UK consultation that explored how the regulation of public call boxes could be amended in light of their declining use. By focusing on the responses, we shed light on how old technologies, which are viewed as being technologically inferior, can continue to play a valuable role through generating societal value. Design/methodology/approach The analysis draws on the 23 responses to the consultation. A thematic analysis was undertaken to ascertain the views of respondents. Findings Our analysis highlights the complexities and challenges of regulating old technologies within an industry experiencing sustained technological change. Although the use of public call boxes has declined in the United Kingdom, not least because of the ubiquity of mobile telecommunications, our analysis shows that there is resistance to their removal and amending the range of services that they provide. Furthermore, the underlying technological characteristics of public call boxes that make them available in a power cut complicates their replacement with modern technologies. Our analysis explores how public call boxes act as a “safety net”, providing a means of communications in cases of emergency as well as when someone wants to ring a helpline. Social implications Our analysis highlights the “safety net” role of public call boxes and their role in emergency situations. Originality/value To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first academic article to examine the consultation and through this the role that public call boxes can play in the UK's telecommunications industry.