I frequently utilize PayPhones at Airports that have Data ports. It appears that TF Greene Airport (Providence, RI) has completely removed all their payhones that have data ports and replaced them with devices you plug you laptop into (dialup 56k) for $0.50/minute!
I have written a letter to the Chairman of the Airport expressing my displeasure at such an act. If anybody else feels similiarly, please drop them a note. The web site is at:
http://www.pvd-ri.com/
Dear Mr. Cummings,
As a very frequent traveler who utilizes T.F. Greene Airport extensively, I am writing to you today to express my extreme displeasure at the removal of modem access ports on the regular pay phones. It appears that the Airport has replaced all these "free" ports with specialized "pay" modem ports that cost $0.50 per minute to utilize!
Almost all airports that I have been to in the United States (and many abroad) have been replacing their regular payphones and installing payphones that have built-in data access ports. This then allows me to dial me regular Internet Service Provider (ISP) utilizing my calling card to pay for the call. They have been doing this as a service to their customers (not to mention the fact that the payphone provider is making money on every call). (These phones have been around since 1991, see AT&T press release:
http://www.att.com/press/1091/911002.csa.html )
Now, due to this change at TF Greene, not only must I pay my ISP, but I now need to pay the airport 50 cents an minute to make a local phone call? This is insane.
I have to admit, just the fact alone has so irked me that I have started utilizing other nearby airports because they all provide free data access to their payphones.
Here is an article on AirportNet that addresses this very issue:
http://www.airportnet.org/depts/publ...7/telecomm.htm
Please reconsider this position that TF Greene Airport has taken.