Spark ends plan to modernise public phone booths; removal to begin in 2027

What happened

Spark has cancelled plans to modernise the country's public phone booths after failing to secure the agreements needed to progress the proposal. The telco had explored options including free calling, Wi-Fi and phone charging, funded through digital billboards rather than charges to users or public money. The plan required a legislative change to local government law to exempt the billboards from standard approval processes. Auckland Council said no formal application was ever made; Spark indicated the cost of sharing advertising revenue three ways – with the council and an external agency – would not be commercially viable. The company has stopped selling phone cards as the network is phased out. Of 2500 booths at their peak, only 212 remain in service today. Around 90% have already been disconnected as Chorus retired its copper network. Physical removal of the remaining booths is scheduled for 2027 and 2028.

Key facts

• 2500 public phone booths at peak; 212 remain in service today
• Call volumes on fixed-line network declined nearly 70% between 2018 and 2022
• 90% of booths disconnected as Chorus retired copper network
• Physical removal of booths scheduled for 2027 and 2028
• Spark required legislative change to local government law to proceed

What happens next

Physical removal of phone booths to occur in 2027 and 2028.

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