Public telephones are an important communication tool that allows people to stay in touch with each other. They are also known as public phones, payphones, or call boxes. These synonyms are commonly used interchangeably to refer to the same thing. The term 'payphones' is used because these phones typically require a user to insert payment in order to make a call. The term 'call box' is often used to describe a phone booth that is designed for public use. Regardless of what we call them, public telephones play an important role in our lives, allowing us to stay connected with people even without our personal phones.