2 Guys' Great Project: Free Public "Pay" Phones! (interesting and heartening!)

[grasswire]

Last edited Thu Apr 9, 2015, 05:33 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.oregonlive.com/multimedia/index.ssf/2015/04/futels_free_phone_service_give.html


It looks like just another pay phone booth---the kind seen on nearly every street corner just a few decades ago. But what's different about this pay phone, located near the intersection of SE 13th Ave. & SE Clinton St. in Portland, is that you don't need money to use it. All domestic calls on this pay-free phone are 100% free.
Futel's 'pay phone' provides free phone service Futel uses an internet connection and salvaged pay phone parts to provide free domestic phone service, connection to services and human interaction.

.....snip......

Along with the disappearance of the pay phone, Anderson also observed two things directly related to the influx of cell phones: telephone communication had become limited for those who couldn't afford a mobile phone; and people's social behavior was radically changed when they did have one.

"They don't quite follow it," says St. Clair. He and Anderson act as Futel's "operators", fielding calls from people who press "0" on the phone. St. Clair continues, "I've had people call and say 'I keep putting quarters in and it keeps giving me quarters back'. I say, just press one and make your call and it's free."

Aside from getting assistance with the phone, people can also dial the operator for a little personal interaction. Both men willingly answer questions about the project, or just chat about whatever is on the caller's mind. "I've had some really great conversations being the operator," says St. Clair. "The operator is another service that we can provide to people," says Anderson. "Just a human to talk to if they want or need that. It's another experiment to see how people use it, really."

......snip.....


Despite some users' confusion, Futel phones are easy to use. A computerized voice recites a menu of pre-programmed options. Users can press a single button to be connected to the mayor's office, get a weather forecast line, or hear the TriMet Transit Tracker. There is also a free voice mail system, thought it is currently only available when using a Futel phone. Anderson says, "the idea is that you'll be able to call in and check your voice mail. It doesn't have to be obvious that you can't afford a phone."

An unconventional phone should have a few unconventional features. Users can choose to talk with "Lance", whom Anderson says lives in rural Oregon and "has a different perspective on things". Or some might choose the "apologize" option and leave a message on a confessional apology line based in New York.

Between both of the Futel phones, current operation expenses are about $50 per month.
"Ongoing costs are a big thing," says Anderson. "We have to make sure it's sustainable for us to do. That's the whole point. It's something we can run for cheap." Right now people are talking about 250 minutes a week on the free phones.

"That includes me calling me my mother every weekend," says Anderson.

[tech3149]

1. I used to survive in my job with a pager, calling card, and cell phone.

It's amazing how much more productive that was than having a cell phone constantly in your ear. Once you had a mobile phone everyone expected you to be immediately available and you'd end up trying to do two things at once and doing less effectively.
I haven't had a cell phone in my possession since I quit working 13 years ago, don't miss it one bit.
I love the idea of providing a public phone to people who either don't need or can't afford to replace that service with a more expensive personal cell phone. Great idea that deserves crowd source funding.

[grasswire]

2. kick for this very great project

I just love it.

[suffragette]

3. What a wonderful idea and project

K&R

[ProfessorGAC]

4. This Is Very Interesting

I'll have to see what their actual business plan looks like, but i sure hope they succeed. It's a cool idea and a good thing to do.

[olddots]

5. Portland rocks !!!!!!

hope this catches on .

[onethatcares]

6. I would really like to be an operator

on the west coast of Florida for this service.....I think these guys are on t something hugh( ) really I mean huge.

[grasswire]

7. I do too

I could give advice. Heh. But I'm in Portland, so there's no novelty there.