InLinkUk and BT introduced a new automatic call blocking feature on all InLink digital street units, in a drive to prevent misuse of the free calls service provided to the public. It is the first development of its kind to be introduced on a UK public street phone.
InLinkUK from BT brings digital innovation, free gigabit Wi-Fi and other premium services to the streets of London and cities across the United Kingdom.
Both InLinkUK and BT have worked closely with the police and a number of local councils to design and implement the new call blocking technology which prevents the misuse of the units’ free calls service, while allowing communities to continue to benefit from the wide ranging benefits of the InLinks.
The new service - which has been activated across all InLinks deployed across the UK - uses an algorithm to identify suspicious call patterns and phone numbers. Any identified numbers are then blocked so that outgoing calls from any InLink in the UK cannot be made to those numbers.
Using anonymised data, the algorithm examines a range of factors including the frequency of attempted and connected calls, the length and distribution of such calls, as well as insights provided by the authorities. Initial results have shown that less than half a percent of total numbers called across the InLink network are associated with anti-social behaviour. These numbers have now been successfully blocked.
Matt Bird, GM at InLinkUK
We are committed to ensuring the InLinks are a welcomed and valued part of the communities they serve, and our investment into the development of this call restriction feature means we are able to readily identify misuse and quickly put a stop to it, whilst still providing a positive free service to local communities across the UK.
Neil scoresby, GM, Payphones, BT
Developed and implemented by BT, the new call blocking feature will ensure that InLinks continue to be enjoyed by users in genuine need of the free, digital services provided by the units.
