Telephone boxes in Porto get a makeover

The usage of payphone has drastically declined and thus the number of phone boxes across the city of Porto has also been reduced.

Most of the telephone boxes were vandalised and out of order and were being used mainly by tourists as a popular backdrop for selfies.

The first telephone box in Portugal, commonly known as telephone kiosk, dates back to 1931.

Porto City Hall and Telephone Operator MEO have decided to do away with telephone boxes that posed mobility constraints or were not aesthetically pleasing.

As a consequence, telephone boxes in Porto are getting a makeover; there were around 301 phone boxes in the streets of Porto in 2013. Nowadays, 167 phone boxes were removed and 134 booths will be fully recovered, with the equipment being replaced and completely operational.

Until July, the 10 remaining telephone boxes to be saved will be completed.

Telephone boxes constitute a universal public service, prescribed by law.