BT to offer free ultra-fast WiFi and rapid device charging as hi-tech street units come to Newcastle

BT has announced that the first of its high-tech digital street units have gone live in Newcastle.

The first seven of BT’s Street Hub 2.0 units have been installed in the city bringing free ultra-fast WiFi, free calls, wayfinding information and rapid device charging.

Street Hubs offer a range of benefits including free ultra-fast WiFI, free emergency calls and rapid device charging, and offer a more modern alternative to traditional payphones.

They also provide directions for tourists and have the capacity to be fitted with signal boosting 4G and 5G cells.

The first Street Hubs were switched on today at the sites including streets in Byker, Benton, Heaton and Haymarket. They form part of BT’s rollout of even better mobile and WiFi connections for communities across the UK.

As part of the initiative, BT will also be gifting free advertising to small businesses as they face increased costs during the current economic situation.

The company is donating up to £7.5 million of outdoor advertising space to small businesses across the UK as part of the rollout of the new digital units.

Michael Smy, Head of Street at BT, said: “Street Hubs provide communities with the improved WiFi and mobile connectivity that is now such a central part of everyday life.

“Bringing the Hubs to Newcastle not only allows us to provide the same benefits as traditional payphones, but also offer enhanced and future-proofed technology for the future.

“Gifting free advertising to small businesses in the city also means we are able to play our part in supporting its economy.”

One of the first businesses in the city to benefit from the free advertising space will be Bud Couriers, based in the city. The organisation won a competition to land the free advertising as part of the introduction of hubs in the city.

James Tyer of Bud Couriers said: "The BT Street Hubs have been a blessing for my small business. This month, with the introduction of the clean air zone in Newcastle city centre, these adverts are positioned perfectly to reach those affected by the issue.

“Using these boards, we are able to showcase our role as an authority in Newcastle’s urban sustainable logistics."

BT is rolling out the Street Hub units across a range of major cities in the UK with Sheffield joining places like Birmingham, Nottingham, and Glasgow.