Public payphones set to disappear from Irish towns

There are currently just 456 public payphones across the country. Picture: Larry Cummins

Many public payphones are set to disappear from Irish towns and villages after the telecom regulator signalled it will no longer require Eir to operate and maintain them from 2021 onwards.

ComReg has recommended that the designation of a telecom firm to provide public payphones under a “universal service obligation” (USO) is no longer necessary or appropriate given their low usage level and widespread use of mobile phones.