THE first of a new generation of hi-tech phone boxes, which offer free phone charging and ultrafast WiFi, have been installed on the streets of Southampton.

BT has set up the first of its 14 new InLink systems in Southampton, the first city on the south coast to benefit from the futuristic phone points.

The devices, which provide free phone calls, as well as beaming free ultrafast WiFi to subscribers, have already ‘gone live’ outside Hanover Buildings and on London Road.

They were officially unveiled this week by Southampton City Council leader Chris Hammond.

Cllr Hammond said: “As an innovative city, Southampton is proud to be the first city on the South Coast to welcome these state of the art InLinks.

“By providing facilities for people to make free calls, access free WiFi and information and charge their phones, we move one step closer to becoming an attractive modern city where people are proud to live and work.”

As previously reported in the Echo, 30 BT telephone boxes across central Southampton will be removed as part of the scheme.

BT will replace them with the 14 InLink systems, which are set to installed incoming weeks, at various locations, including the the central railway station.

Across the country, 160 InLinks have been installed in eight London boroughs, Leeds city centre and most-recently in Glasgow.

Hundreds more will be installed in major towns and cities across the UK.

The boxes can be used by anyone who signs up to BT’s free InLink service.

Features include free phone calls, phone charging ports and ultrafast WiFi - with speeds of up to one gigabit per second (1 Gbps).

The InLink system will also have displays, providing real-time data, including the weather forecast and other local information.

There are also free one-touch lifelines to four national charities – Childline, End Youth Homelessness, Runaway Helpline and Samaritans.

Stacey King, BT’s regional director for London and South East England, said: “The launch in Southampton brings the fastest free public WiFi in the UK to the south coast.

"Residents and visitors alike are set to benefit from this new state-of-the-art ‘phone box’, where they can also make calls for free, access local information and even charge their ‘phone when out and about.”

Matt Bird, general manager for InLinkUK, added: “Our national rollout is gathering speed, and with the introduction of the InLinks in Southampton, we are pleased to be a part of the city’s efforts to improve public digital infrastructure.

"We are making great progress in our journey of creating smart communities, and with the InLinks offering a host of free digital services, we are well on our way to achieving this in key UK cities.”