Will exit pay phone business by the end of 2008...
Back in August, AT&T shelved their long-standing
"Time of Day" service, which allowed any user to call up and get, well, we'll let you guess. The cell phone has also impacted another AT&T mainstay, the pay phone business, which AT&T today announced they'll be
exiting entirely by the end of 2008. The none-too-shocking explanation:
AT&T's Public Communications unit has continued to experience significant pressure from reduced pay phone usage, primarily as a result of the growth of alternative communications choices, such as wireless phones and personal communication devices.
BellSouth announced they'd be exiting the pay phone business
way back in 2001.
"This is the right time for us to take this step on behalf of our customers, employees and stockholders," said AT&T's David Huntley, senior vice president for Customer Information Services.
"We expect that independent providers will pick up much of this business, and, as we exit the business, we will be able to refocus our resources to areas that offer stronger growth potential and greater opportunity for the company."
