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Comment on Philadelphia Phreakers installing free payphone

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I'm somewhat acquainted with one of the guys running this effort, and it's really been amazing to see it go from "unknown niche hobby project" to "all over the news" practically overnight. Nobody is sure why the media seized on it so much, but in the course of a week or two, it went from completely obscure, to being reported on by a few Internet-based techy/nerdy media outlets, to being talked about by the mainstream news (NBC!). I guess people are more interested in payphones than expected.

Though it does bum me out that a typical comment section on the mainstream news articles is 30% "why is the government spending money on this? Lower my taxes!!" It's a completely volunteer project guys, there is no government money involved... ah well.

Do you know why does he pay per minute?

Can't he hook it up to ooma or something that only charges the monthly regulatory fees?

Most likely he's not and the article contains an inaccuracy.

I was thinking stick in a gsm module with $7/month airvoice sim.

https://www.airvoicewireless.com/plan/monthy-plan

That crossover point on voice costs applies on wireless as well.

There is a crossover point on VoIP providers where the unlimited plan is worth it if your phone is making more than X minutes a month. I'm sure they'll switch it if they reach this point.

Nobody is sure why the media seized on it so much

Doesn't everyone phone (ha) it in right before Christmas? This is a novelty human interest piece with community, nostalgia, consumerism (all those new iphones in wrapping paper) appea. And you just have to interview one guy? Thats it's own Christmas present if you're on a 24 hour or even daily news cycle.

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