A reasonable strategy on the face of it as everyone struggles to maintain profits amid the credit crunch.
One of the boxes apparently fighting for its existence sits proudly outside the Rock Tavern public house at Upper Edge, Rastrick.
The traditional red kiosk was located there 42 years ago. It has been a valuable amenity for a small community detached from Elland by a steep hill and Rastrick centre by sheer distance.
Over the years it has proved vital for those who did not have their own phone or, more recently, a mobile. It has also been invaluable to motorists making their way along Dewsbury Road.
Two years ago British Telecom altered the phone so it no longer took coins. While it accepts incoming calls the only outward ones people can make are to the emergency operator.
The owner of the Rock Tavern says since then, at least three people a week wander into her premises asking to use the pub phone, having first tried the one outside.
"If BT aren't even going to make this phone available for people who want to pay to use it, how do they know it isn't profitable?" she says.
Which hits the nail on the head.
The question is if anyone on the other end of the line is listening?
Or have they already pressed the mute button?