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Calls from public telephones are now free, they now also provide free wifi.

It does seem that the legal benefit of free space and electricity, and the commercial benefit of high foot traffic locations is too great for Telstra to simply give up these installations.

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The electricity is not free (it would be paid under a low consumption unmetered arrangement, similar to things like public BBQs or traffic lights).

Telstra is contracted to provide payphone service under the Telstra USO Performance Agreement with the Federal Government, at a cost of $44 million.

Today I learned there are public BBQs in Australia.

Almost every park has one

There are in the US too, but you have to bring your own fuel (coal/charcoal).

Note that "BBQ" in Australian usually means a flat grill, not what I am told it means in American.

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