Internet kiosk plans shelved.(British Telecommunications PLC drops plans to set up Internet kiosks)(Brief Article)

BT has dropped plans to set up a network of 28,000 public internet terminals, after trials of the so-called internet kiosks proved to be a flop.

The idea was to provide easy access to the internet and allow people to send and receive emails and text messages, and make telephone calls. But a lack of interest meant only 1,300 of the kiosks were set up around the country.

BT refused to speculate on why the kiosks were so unpopular but conceded that they had faced competition from other Wi-Fi services.

It said Britons were increasingly opting for mobile devices of their own when it came to making telephone calls or surfing the web. Although no new terminals will be set up, those already in place will remain, although BT said some might be moved to locations with higher revenue potential.

www.bt.com.