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Which public pay telephones are regulated by DoITT? |
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 DoITT regulates all public pay telephones (PPTs) on City sidewalks, except phones that are attached to subway entrances or exits, which are handled by the MTA, and inside City parks, which are handled by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation. Public pay telephones located on private property or inside buildings are not regulated by DoITT. Pay phones regulated by DoITT fall into two basic categories based on proximity to buildings. Phones located within six feet of the building line are called building line public pay telephones. Phones located beyond six feet of the building line are classified as curbside pay phones. Only curbside pay phones may have advertising on them. [Back to Top] |
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Are advertisements permitted on all public pay telephones? |
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No, only curbside pay phones may contain advertising. [Back to Top] |
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How many public pay telephones are on City sidewalks? |
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As of January 20, 2009, there 19,368 active public pay telephones on City sidewalks regulated by DoITT. Sixty-two percent, or 11,958 of these pay phones are located at the curbside, and 38%, or 7,410 pay phones, are located at the building line. [Back to Top] |
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Are all of these public pay phones owned by Verizon? |
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No. About 39% of all public pay phones are owned by Verizon. [Back to Top] |
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Where can I get more information about public pay telephones in New York City? |
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The following links should help you obtain more information on pay telephones in the City.  Public Pay Telephone Consumer Information pageBusiness Information: Pay Telephone Franchises[Back to Top] |
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Does DoITT publish an official report regarding public pay phones? |
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Yes. Each year, DoITT submits select information for inclusion in the Mayor's Management Report. The Mayor's Office of Operations maintains these reports for each fiscal year. The Mayor's Management Report[Back to Top] |
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Do landlords have any say regarding public pay telephones located in front of their building? |
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Yes. If a PPT is located at the building line, the landlord or building owner must give consent before the pay phone company can install a phone at that location. However, if the phone existed at that location prior to August 1, 1994, the pay phone owner does not need to obtain the landlord's consent. Public pay phones located at the curbside do not require the landlord's consent. Building owners are not precluded from coming to an agreement with the pay phone owner. Regulations followed by DoITT regarding pay telephones are captured in the Rules of the City of New York. [Back to Top] |
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Do the PPT companies manage their own advertising for their ad panels? |
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No. The PPT companies must contract with a designated media representative. There are currently four companies that maintain contracts with the PPT companies: [Back to Top] |
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Are there restrictions on the kinds of ads allowed on PPT kiosks? |
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Yes. Unlawful or obscene advertising as designated in Penal Law 245.11 (Public Display of Offensive Sexual Material) are banned, as well as advertising that is false or misleading, or the advertisement of tobacco products. [Back to Top] |
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Who is responsible for enforcing rules regarding public pay telephones? |
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DoITT has an enforcement unit that inspects public pay telephones. Inspections are conducted before a new phone is installed to ensure that the proposed location meets DoITT's siting requirements (pre-installation inspection) and after the phone is installed to verify compliance (post-installation inspection). Inspections are also conducted during the life of the phone to ensure that it is in working order and is properly maintained by the pay telephone company. Regulations followed by DoITT regarding pay telephones are captured in the Rules of the City of New York. [Back to Top] |
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What is included in DoITT's inspection of public pay telephones? |
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When DoITT inspects existing pay phones, inspectors check many things including:
[Back to Top] |
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Who do I call if I lose money in a pay phone? |
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First, contact the pay telephone company to request a refund. You should know the location of the particular phone, the time and date of the loss, and the amount lost. If you cannot resolve your issue with the company, you may contact DoITT or 311 for assistance. Pay Telephone Complaint Form[Back to Top] |
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Who do I call if I have a specific complaint about a public pay phone or a public pay phone company? |
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First, contact the pay telephone company directly. The company's name can be found on the placard located near the handset of the telephone unit. You may also contact DoITT or 311 for assistance. Regulations followed by DoITT regarding pay telephones are captured in the Rules of the City of New York. Pay Telephone Complaint Form[Back to Top] |
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