Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport plans to put public telephones in the terminal again, seeking a company to operate phones on a five-year contract.

The Atlanta airport previously had free public phones that were paid for with advertising displayed on screens on the phones. That contract expired and the devices were removed.

Before that, Hartsfield-Jackson had hundreds of payphones.

ajc.com

Credit: Kelly Yamanouchi

icon to expand image

Credit: Kelly Yamanouchi

Now, Hartsfield-Jackson is looking for a company to install and operate at least 28 public phones, telecommunication devices for the deaf or video access phones with technology for hearing-impaired customers. The phones would be installed in the concourses, domestic terminal, international terminal.

The contractor will be able to charge a fee for use of the phones, according to airport documents.

Hartsfield-Jackson wants to offer the convenience for the few passengers who don't have cell phones, according to airport spokesman Reese McCranie. But there will be far fewer public phones than when rows of payphones were spread throughout the terminal and concourses.

FROM THE AJC ARCHIVES:

About the Author

Keep Reading

(Illustration: Marcie LaCerte for the AJC)

Credit: Marcie LaCerte for the AJC

Featured

Atlanta art and antiques appraiser and auctioneer Allan Baitcher (right) takes bids during a 2020 auction. Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are being sued by a Florida multimillionaire who says he paid them $20 million for fakes. (AJC 2020)

Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff