<p>Ofcom, the UK’s telecommunications regulator, is responsible for the regulation of public call boxes (PCBs). Under the telephony universal service obligation (USO), BT and KCOM are required to provide telephony services throughout the UK, including PCBs. BT and KCOM are required to ensure the adequate provision, repair and maintenance of PCBs.</p><p> </p><p>In November 2021, Ofcom published a consultation and acknowledged that the process to remove PCBs was not working as effectively as it could. Previously, local authorities were able to veto the removal of the last public call box in an area.</p><p> </p><p>In June 2022, Ofcom officially amended the rules regarding the removal of PCBs. Ofcom removed the local veto process and replaced it with a set of strengthened criteria which would ensure PCBs that are still needed are protected from removal. The criteria protect PCBs where:</p><p> </p><ul><li>they do not have coverage from all four mobile network providers; or</li><li>are located in an area with a high frequency of accidents or suicides; or</li><li>they have made 52 or more calls over the past 12 months (i.e. the equivalent of one call per week); or</li><li>there is other evidence of a reasonable need for the PCB.</li></ul>