Telco giant Telstra have agreed to join with Perth-based managed service provider PieNetworks to deploy 50 Hotspot Webphones in a four month trial on the Australian market.
The combined internet kiosks and payphone devices will be set up in shopping centres and indoor sites with a view to install them across Australia if they are successful.
The Hotspot Webphone is a payphone that will offer a VoIP telephone service, internet service and email access through a lone standing kiosk in public areas.
It will also provides wireless internet access for laptop computers and other handheld products.
The Hotspot will be a sales point for downloadable products such as prepaid mobile phone credits, ringtones and music.
The kiosks have already been trialled in New Zealand some demonstration units have been shipped to South Africa and Mexico.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
