Abstract: A public wireless data communication system is obtained by combining pay telephone and wireless data communication technologies. The system may be used to connect a wireless user access device to the Internet and/or other wide area or local area communications networks. A pay telephone includes a local loop connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN). The local loop may be multiplexed to provide simultaneous wireless data communication and telephone call services. In one implementation, data communications equipment (e.g., an xDSL router/modem) and a wireless access point (e.g., an IEEE 802.11 access point) are connected to the pay telephone's local loop to provide access to the Internet through an Internet service provider. Increased wireless data communication speed and bandwidth are achieved without requiring allocation of additional scarce, government-controlled spectrum.