Document:

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

VIA FACSIMILE AND U.S. MAIL

                                February 19, 2002

Board of Directors
PHONETEL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
North Point Tower, 7th Floor
1001 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio  44114-1195

Board of Directors
DAVEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
10120 Windhorst Road
Tampa, Florida 33619

Re:      PROPOSED COMBINATION OF PHONETEL AND DAVEL -DEBT RESTRUCTURE COMMITMENT

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This commitment letter is directed to the board of directors of
PhoneTel Technologies, Inc. ("PhoneTel") and the board of directors of Davel
Communications, Inc. ("Davel") (the "Boards") with respect to the proposed
strategic combination (the "Davel/PhoneTel Combination") of PhoneTel and Davel,
which strategic combination includes (i) the merger of PT Merger Corp., a wholly
owned subsidiary of Davel with and into PhoneTel (the "PhoneTel Merger"), with
PhoneTel surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Davel, and (ii) the
restructuring of the existing secured indebtedness of Davel and PhoneTel to be
accomplished in connection with the Davel/PhoneTel Combination, which
restructuring includes the consummation of a merger (the "Davel Merger" and,
together with the PhoneTel Merger, the "Mergers"), immediately prior to the
PhoneTel Merger, of DF Merger Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned
subsidiary of Davel Financing ("D Sub"), with and into Davel Financing L.L.C., a
Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Davel
("Davel Financing", and together with D Sub, the "Davel Subsidiaries"), with
Davel Financing surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Davel. In the Davel
Merger, shares of Davel common stock will be issued to the shareholders of D
Sub. The Mergers will be governed by a single merger agreement to be dated as of
the date hereof (the "Merger Agreement"), which shall be in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the PhoneTel Lenders (as defined below) and to the
Davel Lenders (as defined below).

         Foothill Capital Corporation is the Agent to the financial institutions
(collectively, the "PhoneTel Lenders") that are signatories to that certain Loan
and Security Agreement dated as of

<PAGE>

Board of Directors of PhoneTel and Davel
February 19, 2002
Page 2

November 17, 1999, between the PhoneTel Lenders and PhoneTel (together with the
security agreements and other documents executed and delivered in connection
therewith by PhoneTel and its subsidiaries in favor of the PhoneTel Lenders, the
"PhoneTel Loan Documents"). PNC Bank N.A. is the Agent to the financial
institutions (collectively the "Davel Lenders" and collectively with the
PhoneTel Lenders, the "Lenders") that are signatories to that certain Credit
Agreement dated as of December 23, 1998, between the Davel Lenders and Davel and
various subsidiaries of Davel (together with the security agreements and other
documents and amendments executed and delivered in connection therewith by Davel
and its subsidiaries in favor of the Davel Lenders, the "Davel Loan Documents").

         Both Davel and PhoneTel have obtained further financing from Madeleine
L.L.C. and ARK CLO 2000-1, Limited (the "Senior Lenders") secured by liens and
security interests senior in priority to those of Lenders (the "Senior
Facility").

         In accordance with our recent discussions, Lenders are pleased to issue
this financial restructuring commitment to the Boards. Subject to the
satisfactory completion of each of the conditions contained herein, each of the
undersigned Lenders agrees to the following financial restructuring:

I.       PHONETEL DEBT FOR EQUITY EXCHANGE

         On the Closing Date (as defined in the Merger Agreement), immediately
         prior to the PhoneTel Effective Time and the Davel Effective Time (as
         such terms are defined in the Merger Agreement), and subject to the
         completion of the Mergers, the obligations of PhoneTel to the PhoneTel
         Lenders would be reduced to a principal amount of $36,500,000 in
         exchange for the PhoneTel Lenders receiving 112,246,511 shares of
         common stock of PhoneTel (equal to 87% of all PhoneTel common stock on
         a pre-Mergers fully diluted basis, assuming the deemed reservation of
         4% of PhoneTel common stock to be issued in respect of stock options
         and warrants of PhoneTel from and after the date of the exchange).

II.      DAVEL DEBT FOR EQUITY EXCHANGE

         On the Closing Date, immediately prior to the PhoneTel Effective Time
         and the Davel Effective Time, and subject to the completion of the
         Mergers, pursuant to an agreement among the Davel Lenders, the PhoneTel
         Lenders, Davel, Davel Financing, D Sub, PhoneTel and Cherokee (as
         defined below) dated as of the date hereof (the "Exchange Agreement"),
         the obligations of Davel Financing to the Davel Lenders, which are
         fully guaranteed by, among others, Davel, would be reduced to a
         principal amount of $63,500,000 in exchange for the Davel Lenders
         receiving from Davel Financing 100% of the outstanding shares of common
         stock of D Sub. The sole asset of D Sub would be a note issued by Davel
         Financing in an aggregate principal amount equal to $342,551.46.

<PAGE>

Board of Directors of PhoneTel and Davel
February 19, 2002
Page 3

III.     THE MERGERS AND THE EQUITY CONVERSIONS

         At the PhoneTel Effective Time, all of the PhoneTel common stock of the
         PhoneTel Lenders will, pursuant to the PhoneTel Merger, be
         automatically converted into 31.76% (after giving effect to the Davel
         Equity Conversion defined below) of all common stock plus stock options
         and warrants of Davel issued and outstanding at such time (the
         "PhoneTel Equity Conversion").

         At the Davel Effective Time, all of the D Sub common stock of the Davel
         Lenders will, pursuant to the Davel Merger, be automatically converted
         into 59.06% (after giving effect to the PhoneTel Equity Conversion) of
         all shares of common stock plus stock options and warrants of Davel
         issued and outstanding at such time (the "Davel Equity Conversion").

IV.      CROSS-ASSIGNMENT OF DEBT AMONG LENDERS

         On the Closing Date, the PhoneTel Lenders would assign 63.5% of the
         $36,500,000 of the reduced PhoneTel debt to the Davel Lenders on a pro
         rata basis according to the interest each Davel Lender has in the Davel
         debt owing to the Davel Lenders. On the Closing Date, the Davel Lenders
         would assign 36.5% of the $63,500,000 of the reduced Davel debt to the
         PhoneTel Lenders on a pro rata basis according to the interest each
         PhoneTel Lender has in the PhoneTel debt owing to the PhoneTel Lenders.

V.       CROSS-ASSUMPTION OF DEBT AMONG BORROWERS

         On the Closing Date, PhoneTel would assume the obligations owing by
         Davel and its subsidiaries to the Lenders and would confirm that the
         liens and security interests in the assets of PhoneTel secure the
         obligations owing by Davel and its subsidiaries to the Lenders. On the
         Closing Date, Davel would assume the obligations owing by PhoneTel to
         the Lenders and would confirm that the liens and security interests in
         the assets of Davel and its subsidiaries secure the obligations owing
         by PhoneTel to the Lenders.

<PAGE>

Board of Directors of PhoneTel and Davel
February 19, 2002
Page 4

VI.      RESTRUCTURE OF $100 MILLION CREDIT FACILITY

         On the Closing Date, PhoneTel, PhoneTel's subsidiary Cherokee
         Communications, Inc. ("Cherokee"), Davel and the Davel Subsidiaries
         (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Borrowers") and the
         Lenders would enter into definitive documentation for the restructured
         credit facility described below which would amend and restate the
         PhoneTel Loan Documents and Davel Loan Documents and consolidate such
         agreements into a unitary set of loan and security agreements, which,
         among other things, would confirm that each Borrower would thereafter
         be jointly and severally liable to Lenders for the indebtedness
         outstanding thereunder, which definitive documentation would provide
         for the following terms and conditions, among others:

         A. APPOINTMENT OF FOOTHILL AS AGENT. Foothill Capital Corporation would
         be appointed by Borrowers and Lenders as the agent ("Agent") for the
         Lenders pursuant to agency provisions contained in Foothill's standard
         loan documentation and acceptable to Foothill and the Lenders.

         B. TERM LOANS. On the Closing Date, both of the existing credit
         facilities would be amended and restated as two term loans (the "Term
         Loans"): (i) a $50 million principal amount cash-pay term loan ("Term
         Loan A") with interest to be payable in kind monthly through May 31,
         2003, and thereafter to be paid monthly in cash from a required payment
         of $1,250,000 commencing on July 1, 2003, with such payment increasing
         to $1,500,000 with the payment due and owing on January 1, 2005, which
         amount will be applied first to interest and fees owing, with the
         balance applied to principal, with such payments continuing until and
         including the Maturity Date (as defined below) on which date the unpaid
         balance of Term Loan A and any accrued and unpaid interest would be due
         and payable in full; and (ii) a $50 million principal amount
         payment-in-kind term loan (the "PIK Term Loan") to be repaid in full on
         the Maturity Date, subject to earlier repayment as set forth below from
         Excess Cash Flow of Borrowers.

         C. INTEREST RATES. Amounts outstanding under the Term Loans would
         accrue interest from and after the Closing Date at the rate of ten
         (10%) percent per annum, calculated based upon a year of 360 days for
         actual days elapsed. Interest on the PIK Term Loan would accrue from
         the Closing Date and would be payable in kind. All interest payable in
         kind would be added to the principal amount of the respective Term Loan
         on a monthly basis and thereafter treated as principal for all purposes
         (including the accrual of interest upon such amounts). Upon the
         occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, all
         interest would be increased by 4 percentage points above the per annum
         rate otherwise applicable thereto. All collections received by Borrower
         would be subject to a two (2) business day clearance charge for the
         sole and separate account of Agent.

<PAGE>

Board of Directors of PhoneTel and Davel
February 19, 2002
Page 5

         D. LOCKBOX COLLECTIONS. After the occurrence of an Event of Default,
         and after payment of the Senior Facility in full, Lenders would have
         the non-exclusive right and remedy to require that Borrowers each
         establish one or more deposit accounts at financial institutions
         acceptable to Lenders and require Borrowers to direct all collections
         or other proceeds of collateral to the depository accounts, to be
         applied to reduce the balance of the Term Loans. The terms and
         conditions of the agreements relative to such depository accounts would
         be acceptable to Lenders and would provide Agent with dominion and
         control over any funds deposited into such deposit accounts.

         E. CLOSING FEE. Borrowers would agree to pay to Agent additional
         interest on the Closing Date, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders,
         in the form of a fee (the "Closing Fee") in the amount of $1,000,000,
         which would be fully earned and non-refundable on the Closing Date. In
         lieu of payment in cash, this additional interest shall be paid in the
         form of payment-in-kind interest that would be added to the principal
         amount of the PIK Term Loan on the Closing Date and thereafter treated
         as principal for all purposes (including the accrual of interest upon
         such amount).

         F. SERVICING FEE. Borrowers would agree to pay to Agent a fee (the
         "Servicing Fee") for the sole and separate account of Agent of $30,000
         per month for each month or portion thereof in which any amounts are
         outstanding on either of the Term Loans (including after the Maturity
         Date). The Servicing Fee would be due and payable monthly in advance.

         G. AGENT AND LENDER EXPENSES. Borrowers would agree to reimburse Agent
         for all of Agent's reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses relating
         to the establishment, negotiation, documentation and administration of
         this financing transaction, including, but not limited to, search fees,
         filing and recording fees, attorneys fees and expenses, other
         professional expenses, and financial examination and collateral
         appraisal fees and expenses (collectively, "Agent Expenses"). In
         addition, after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event
         of Default, Borrowers would agree to reimburse the each Lender for its
         reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with
         such default, including, but not limited to, attorneys fees and
         expenses and other professional expenses. Without limiting the
         foregoing, Borrowers would be required to pay (a) a fee of $750 per
         day, per auditor, plus out-of-pocket expenses for each financial audit
         of Borrowers performed by personnel employed by Agent, (b) if
         implemented, a one time charge of $3,000 plus out-of-pocket expenses
         for expenses for the establishment of electronic collateral reporting
         systems, (c) a fee of $1,500 per day per appraiser, plus out-of-pocket
         expenses, for each appraisal of Borrowers' collateral performed by
         personnel employed by Agent, and (d) the actual charges paid or
         incurred by Agent if Agent elects to employ the services of one or more
         third parties to perform financial audits of Borrowers, to appraise
         Borrowers' collateral, or to assess Borrowers' business valuation.

<PAGE>

Board of Directors of PhoneTel and Davel
February 19, 2002
Page 6

         H. CLOSING DATE. The "Closing Date" would be a date on or before August
         31, 2002, when all of the conditions precedent set forth herein and
         contained in the definitive documentation for the restructured credit
         facility have been satisfied or waived by the Lenders. If the financial
         restructuring contemplated by this letter is not consummated on or
         before August 31, 2002, then, without any requirement of notice or
         other formality, no party hereto would have any obligation to pursue
         the financial restructuring outlined in this letter; provided, however,
         that prior thereto Borrowers agree to use their respective reasonable
         best efforts to cause the financial restructuring to be consummated on
         or before such date.

         I. MATURITY DATE. The "Maturity Date" would be December 31, 2005.
         Borrowers would have the right to prepay the Term Loans, in whole or in
         part, at any time, without penalty or premium.

         J. COLLATERAL. All obligations owed to Lenders would be secured by the
         existing liens and security interests and would also be secured by a
         first priority perfected security interest (subject to the terms of
         that certain Intercreditor Agreement between Lenders and Senior
         Lenders, which provides, among other things, that the Senior Lenders
         will have liens and security interests senior in priority to those of
         Lenders) in all of Borrowers' and their subsidiaries' now owned or
         hereafter acquired property and assets, including, but not limited to,
         Borrower's inventory, accounts, equipment, real estate, chattel paper,
         documents, instruments, copyrights, trademarks, and patents and related
         rights, general intangibles, deposit accounts, cash and cash
         equivalents, and investment property (including interests in
         subsidiaries), together with all books and records relating to the
         foregoing, and all proceeds and products thereof (collectively, the
         "Collateral"). In addition, to the extent necessary to obtain first
         priority perfected security interests in the Collateral, Lenders shall
         receive such third party agreements or consents as Lenders may
         reasonably require.

         K. COVENANTS. Borrowers would agree that any change of the composition
         of its senior management team would require the written consent of
         Lenders. The definitive loan documentation would include other usual
         affirmative and negative covenants required by Lenders in similar
         credits, and in addition would contain the following financial
         covenants (all of which financial covenants would be calculated without
         reference to any payment-in-kind interest):

<PAGE>

Board of Directors of PhoneTel and Davel
February 19, 2002
Page 7

                  1. Minimum EBITDA. Borrowers will not permit their cumulative
consolidated EBITDA for the periods set forth below, measured at the end of each
Fiscal Quarter, to be less than the amounts set forth opposite such period:

<Table>
<Caption>
========================================================= =======================================
                         PERIOD                                     CUMULATIVE EBITDA
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>
July 1, 2002 - September 30, 2002                                     $ 5.8 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
July 1, 2002 - December 31, 2002                                      $13.3 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
July 1, 2002 - March 31, 2003                                         $16.7 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Four quarter period ending June 30, 2003                              $21.6 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Four quarter period ending September 30, 2003                         $21.3 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Four quarter period ending December 31, 2003                          $18.6 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Four quarter period ending March 31, 2004                             $17.9 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Four quarter period ending June 30, 2004                              $17.1 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Four quarter period ending September 30, 2004                         $16.3 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Four quarter period ending December 31, 2004                          $15.5 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Four quarter period ending March 31, 2005                             $15.9 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Four quarter period ending June 30, 2005                              $16.2 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Four quarter period ending September 30, 2005                         $16.4 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Four quarter period ending December 31, 2005                          $16.6 million
========================================================= =======================================
</Table>

<PAGE>

Board of Directors of PhoneTel and Davel
February 19, 2002
Page 8

                  2. Minimum Adjusted EBITDA. Borrowers will not permit their
cumulative consolidated EBITDA for the periods set forth below, measured at the
end of each Fiscal Quarter, adjusted to eliminate Regulatory Receipts (as
defined in the loan documents for the Senior Facility), to be less than the
amounts set forth opposite such period:

<Table>
<Caption>
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
                         PERIOD                                     CUMULATIVE EBITDA
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>
July 1, 2002 - September 30, 2002                                     $ 3.6 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
July 1, 2002 - December 31, 2002                                      $ 6.6 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
July 1, 2002 - March 31, 2003                                         $ 8.7 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Four quarter period ending June 30, 2003                              $12.3 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Four quarter period ending September 30, 2003                         $12.8 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Four quarter period ending December 31, 2003                          $13.3 million
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
</Table>

                  3. Limitation Upon Capital Expenditures. Borrowers will not
permit their commitments for capital expenditures or the amounts paid and
incurred for capital expenditures to exceed $3,000,000 for any fiscal year.

                  4. Mandatory Prepayment. After payment in full of the Senior
Facility, Borrowers will prepay amounts owing on the PIK Term Loan from (a) the
net proceeds of any asset disposition and (b) the proceeds of any Regulatory
Receipts (as defined in the loan documents for the Senior Facility) received by
Borrowers that exceeds 120% of the amount set forth for such category in the
Budget (as defined in the loan documents for the Senior Facility).

                  5. Excess Cash Flow Sweep. After payment in full of the Senior
Facility, Borrowers will prepay amounts owing on the PIK Term Loan from fifty
percent (50%) of quarterly Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the loan documents
for the Senior Facility).

         L. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. The following would be conditions precedent,
         among other usual conditions, to the obligation of Lenders to enter
         into the restructured credit facility:

                  1. Receipt by Agent of evidence that each Borrower is a
corporation, or with respect to Davel Financing L.L.C., a limited liability
company, in good standing in the jurisdiction of its incorporation and qualified
to do business in any other jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary
or appropriate to its business;

<PAGE>

Board of Directors of PhoneTel and Davel
February 19, 2002
Page 9

                  2. The Term Loans would need to be made pursuant to, and
subject to, the terms of restated and amended definitive loan agreements, and
other financing documents in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory
to each Lender (the "Loan Documents") executed and delivered by Borrowers on or
prior to the Closing Date. The Loan Documents would contain various
representations, warranties, and covenants (affirmative, reporting and negative)
events of default and other provisions as are customary, in Lenders' experience,
for a transaction of this type. The Loan Documents would include such guaranties
and pledges of collateral from any surviving or newly created affiliates of
Borrowers as Lenders deem necessary;

                  3. In addition to the Loan Documents, Borrowers shall have
executed and delivered, or caused to be executed and delivered, to Agent prior
to the Closing Date, restated and amended definitive security agreements,
financing statements, fixture filings, deeds of trust, mortgages, and chattel
mortgages, title insurance policies and endorsements, lock box and depositary
account agreements, copies of leases, landlord waivers, bailee agreements, and
other agreements affecting the Collateral, insurance certificates and
endorsements, and other documentation relative to the liens and security
interest in the Collateral as Lenders reasonably may request and in form, scope
and substance acceptable to each Lender (the "Security Documents"). Each of the
Loan Documents and the Security Documents (the "Documents") would be governed by
the law of the State of New York and would be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Agent and its counsel;

                  4. Since the date hereof, no material adverse change shall
have occurred in any of Borrowers' financial condition, operations, business,
assets, or in the value of any Borrower's Collateral;

                  5. Receipt by Agent of such opinions of Borrowers' counsel and
such advice of Agent's local counsel as Agent reasonably requires, which
opinions and/or advice would be satisfactory to Agent and its counsel as to both
form and substance;

                  6. Payment of all accrued and unpaid Agent's Expenses;

                  7. Receipt by Agent of such documentation as is necessary and
appropriate, in the opinion of Agent's counsel, to continue the deep
subordination of the liens and security interests of Cerberus Partners L.P. in
the assets of PhoneTel;

                  8. Receipt by Lenders on or before February 19, 2002, of
evidence satisfactory to Lenders that the Merger Agreement has been executed by
the parties thereto;

                  9. Receipt by Lenders on or before February 19, 2002, of
evidence satisfactory to Lenders that the Senior Facility has closed and that
Senior Lenders have made commitments to lend no less than $10 million under the
Senior Facility;

<PAGE>

Board of Directors of PhoneTel and Davel
February 19, 2002
Page 10

                  10. Receipt by Lenders on or before February 19, 2002, of
evidence satisfactory to Lenders that the Exchange Agreement has been executed
by the parties thereto; and

                  11. Receipt by Agent of such documentation as is necessary and
appropriate, in the opinion of Agent's counsel, to confirm the consummation and
effectiveness of the Mergers and the other restructuring transactions described
in sections I through V above.

         M. BROKERS' FEES. Any brokerage commission or finder's fees payable in
         connection with the financing arrangement outlined herein will be
         payable by Borrowers and not by Lenders. Other than reasonable fees
         owed to Ladenburg Thalman & Co., the Borrowers represent and warrant to
         Lenders that they has not incurred any obligation for a brokerage
         commission or a finder's fee in connection with any of Borrowers'
         transactions with any of Lenders. Borrowers agrees to indemnify,
         defend, and hold Lenders harmless from and against any claim of any
         broker or finder arising out of the financing arrangement outlined
         herein.

         N. COMPLETE AGREEMENT; NO ORAL MODIFICATIONS. This commitment letter
         embodies the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect
         to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior proposals,
         negotiations, or agreements whether written or oral, relating to the
         subject matter hereof including any letter of intent. This letter may
         not be modified, amended, supplemented, or otherwise changed, except by
         a document in writing signed by the parties hereto.

         O. GOVERNING LAW; JURY WAIVER. THIS LETTER SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN
         MADE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE VALIDITY OF THIS LETTER, AND THE
         CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF, AND THE RIGHTS OF
         THE PARTIES HERETO RELATING TO CLAIMS OR CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING IN
         CONNECTION HEREWITH SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND
         CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
         BORROWERS AND LENDERS HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY
         OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, CAUSE OF ACTION, OR PROCEEDING ARISING
         UNDER OR RESPECT TO THIS LETTER, OR IN ANY WAY RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO
         THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO WITH RESPECT TO THIS LETTER, OR THE
         TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IN EACH CASE WHETHER OR NOW OR
         HEREAFTER ARISING, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT,
         OR OTHERWISE. BORROWERS AND LENDERS HEREBY AGREE THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM,
         DEMAND, ACTION, CAUSE OF ACTION, OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE DECIDED BY A
         COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN
         ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS

<PAGE>

Board of Directors of PhoneTel and Davel
February 19, 2002
Page 11

         SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE OTHER
         PARTY HERETO TO WAIVE ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

         If you wish to proceed on the basis outlined above, please execute this
letter in the space provided below and return it to the undersigned no later
than 5:00 p.m., California time, on or before February 19, 2002. If you fail to
do so by such date and time, this letter shall expire automatically. This letter
may be provided to the Boards and Borrowers prior to the execution of this
letter by all of the Lenders, however, this letter shall be of no force or
effect unless and until it is executed by each and every Lender. This letter is
being provided to the Boards and Borrowers on a confidential basis and is not
for the benefit of, nor should it be relied upon by, any third party.

Sincerely,

FOOTHILL CAPITAL CORPORATION                 FOOTHILL PARTNERS III, L.P.

By: /s/ Amy Lam                              By: /s/ Dennis R. Ascher
    ----------------------------------           ------------------------------

Name:  Amy Lam                               Name:  Dennis R. Ascher
Title: Vice President                        Title: Managing Member

ABLECO FINANCE LLC, as Lender and
agent for its affiliate assigns

By: /s/ Kevin Genda

Name:  Kevin Genda
Title: Senior Vice President and
       Chief Credit Officer

<PAGE>

Board of Directors of PhoneTel and Davel
February 19, 2002
Page 12

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION        ARK CLO 2000 I, LIMITED

By: /s/ Michael A. Valerio, Jr.       By:      Patriarch Partners, LLC,
    ------------------------------             its Collateral Manager

Name: Michael A. Valerio, Jr.                  By: /s/ Lynn Tilton
Title: Vice President                              ---------------------------

                                               Name: Lynn Tilton
                                               Title: Authorized Signatory

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION        BNP PARIBAS

By: /s/ David C. Larsen               By: /s/ Edward V. Canale
    ------------------------------        ------------------------------

Name: David C. Larsen                 Name: Edward V. Canale
Title: Vice President                 Title: Managing Director

                                      By: /s/ Kathryn B. Quinn
                                          ------------------------------

                                      Name: Kathryn B. Quinn
                                      Title: Vice President

HELLER FINANCIAL, INC.                MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
                                      PRIME INCOME TRUST

By: /s/ Craig Thistlethwaite          By: /s/ Sheila Finnerty
    ------------------------------        ------------------------------

Name: Craig Thistlethwaite            Name: Sheila Finnerty
Title: Assistant Vice President       Title: Executive Director

CERBERUS PARTNERS, L.P.               AMROC INVESTMENTS, LLC

By :  Cerberus Associates, L.L.C.,    By: /s/ Marc Lasry
      as General Partner                  ------------------------------
                                      Name: Marc Lasry
         By: /s/ Stephen Feinberg     Title: Senior Managing Director
             ---------------------
         Name: Stephen Feinberg
         Title: Managing Member

<PAGE>

Board of Directors of PhoneTel and Davel
February 19, 2002
Page 13

THE FOREGOING TERMS AND CONDITIONS ARE HEREBY ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO AS OF
FEBRUARY 19, 2002.

<Table>
<S>                                                          <C>
PHONETEL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.                                  DAVEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

By: /s/ John D. Chichester                                   By: /s/ Bruce W. Renard
    ----------------------------------------                     ----------------------------------------

Name: John D. Chichester                                     Name: Bruce W. Renard
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer                 Title: President

DAVEL FINANCING COMPANY, L.L.C.                              CHEROKEE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

By: /s/ Bruce W. Renard                                      By: /s/ John D. Chichester
    ----------------------------------------                     ----------------------------------------

Name: Bruce W. Renard                                        Name: John D. Chichester
Title: President                                             Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
</Table><PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                                VOTING AGREEMENT

         This VOTING AGREEMENT, dated effective as of February 19, 2002, is
entered into by and between EGI-DM Investments, L.L.C., a Delaware limited
liability company (the "Holder"), a shareholder of Davel Communications, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company" or "Davel"), and PhoneTel Technologies,
Inc., an Ohio corporation ("PhoneTel").

         WHEREAS, concurrently with the effectiveness of this Agreement, the
Company, PhoneTel, Davel Financing Company, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability
company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Davel ("Davel Financing"), DF Merger
Corp., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Davel,
and PT Merger Corp., an Ohio corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary
of Davel ("P Sub"), have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
and Merger (the "Merger Agreement"), dated the date hereof, pursuant to which
PhoneTel will be merged with and into P Sub with PhoneTel surviving as a wholly
owned subsidiary of Davel (the "PhoneTel Merger") and D Sub will merge with and
into Davel Financing with Davel Financing surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary
of Davel (the "Davel Merger" and, together with the PhoneTel Merger, the
"Mergers").

         WHEREAS, the consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the "Transactions") is subject to certain
conditions, including the approval of the Merger Agreement and the Mergers by
the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock,
par $.01 per share, of Davel ("Davel Common Stock").

         WHEREAS, Holder, as controlling person of the entities identified on
Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof, is the beneficial owner of
1,474,287 shares of Davel Common Stock (the "Owned Shares") representing
approximately 13.2% of the shares of Davel Common Stock outstanding as of
December 31, 2001. Such 1,474,287 shares of Davel Common Stock, together with
any other shares of capital stock of Davel acquired by Holder after the date
hereof and during the term of this Agreement, are collectively referred to
herein as the "Shares".

         WHEREAS, as a condition to the willingness of PhoneTel to enter into
the Merger Agreement, and as an inducement to PhoneTel to do so, Holder has
agreed for the benefit of PhoneTel as set forth in this Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties hereby agree
as follows:

<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE I

                               COVENANTS OF HOLDER

         Section 1.1 Agreement to Vote. At any meeting of the shareholders of
Davel held prior to the Termination Date (as defined in Section 4.4), however
called, and at every reconvened meeting following any adjournment thereof prior
to the Termination Date, or in connection with any written consent of the
shareholders of the Company executed prior to the Termination Date, Holder shall
vote the Shares in favor of the approval of the Merger Agreement, the
Transactions, any amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
proposed by management to increase the authorized common shares in the amount
necessary to consummate the Transactions and any amendment to the Company's 2000
Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock
available to be issued upon exercise of options awarded thereunder as
contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Prior to the Termination Date and subject
to Section 1.3, Holder shall not enter into any agreement or understanding with
any person, directly or indirectly, to vote, grant any proxy or give
instructions with respect to the voting of the Shares in any manner inconsistent
with the preceding sentence.

         Section 1.2 Proxies.

                  (a) Holder hereby revokes any and all previous proxies granted
with respect to matters set forth in Section 1.1 for the Shares.

                  (b) Prior to the Termination Date, Holder shall not grant any
proxies or powers of attorney with respect to matters set forth in Section 1.1,
deposit any of the Shares into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement,
with respect to any of the Shares, in each case with respect to such matters.

         Section 1.3 Transfer of Shares by Holder. Prior to the Termination
Date, Holder shall not (a) pledge or place any encumbrance on any Shares, other
than pursuant to this Agreement, or (b) transfer, sell, exchange or otherwise
dispose of any Shares, in each case unless the pledgee, encumbrance holder,
transferee, purchaser or acquiror of such Shares enters into a Voting Agreement
with PhoneTel containing substantially the same terms as this Agreement.

         Section 1.4 Action in Shareholder Capacity Only. Holder makes no
agreement or understanding herein in any capacity other than his capacity as a
beneficial owner of the Shares, and nothing herein, including without limitation
Section 2.4 below, shall limit or affect any actions taken in any other
capacity.

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE II

                   REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND ADDITIONAL
                               COVENANTS OF HOLDER

Holder represents, warrants and covenants to PhoneTel that:

         Section 2.1 Ownership. Holder is, as of the date hereof, the beneficial
owner of 1,474,287 shares of Davel Common Stock and has the sole right to vote
such shares, and there are no restrictions on rights of disposition or other
liens pertaining to such shares. Except pursuant to that certain Investment
Agreement, dated April 19, 1999, as amended to date, and that certain
Shareholders Agreement, dated as of December 22, 1998, as amended to date, both
among Davel, Samstock, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, EGI-Davel
Investors, n/k/a EGI-DM Investments, L.L.C., David R. Hill and Davel
Communications Group, Inc., an Illinois corporation, none of the shares
described in the immediately preceding sentence is subject to any voting trust
or other agreement, arrangement or restriction with respect to the voting of
such shares.

         Section 2.2 Authority and Non-Contravention. Holder has the right,
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by Holder and constitutes a valid and binding obligation
of Holder, enforceable against Holder in accordance with its terms, subject to
general principles of equity and as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
moratorium, or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally. Neither the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Holder nor the consummation by
Holder of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i) materially violate, or
require any consent, approval or notice under, any provision of any judgment,
order, decree, statute, law, rule or regulation applicable to Holder or the
Shares or (ii) constitute a material violation of or default under any contract,
commitment, agreement, understanding, arrangement or other restriction of any
kind to which Holder is a party or by which Holder or his assets are bound.

         Section 2.3 Total Shares. Except for shares issuable upon exercise of
Davel Options (as defined in the Merger Agreement), Holder does not have any
option to purchase or right to subscribe for or otherwise acquire any securities
of Davel and, other than with respect to the Owned Shares, has no other interest
in or voting rights with respect to any other securities of Davel.

         Section 2.4 Reasonable Efforts. Prior to the Termination Date, Holder
shall use reasonable efforts to cooperate with Davel to consummate the
Transactions.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE III

              REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF PHONETEL

PhoneTel represents, warrants and covenants to Holder that:

         Section 3.1 Authority and Non-Contravention. PhoneTel has the right,
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement by PhoneTel and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of
PhoneTel. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by PhoneTel and
constitutes a valid and binding obligation of PhoneTel, enforceable against
PhoneTel in accordance with its terms, subject to general principles of equity
and as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally. Neither the execution and delivery of
this Agreement nor the consummation by PhoneTel of the transactions contemplated
hereby will, as of the date hereof, (i) materially violate, or require any
consent, approval or notice under, any provision of any judgment, order, decree,
statute, law, rule or regulation applicable to PhoneTel or (ii) violate or
conflict with the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of PhoneTel or
constitute a material violation of or default under any contract, commitment,
agreement, understanding, arrangement or other restriction of any kind to which
PhoneTel is a party or by which PhoneTel or its assets are bound.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         Section 4.1 Expenses. All costs and expenses incurred in connection
with this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such costs or expenses.

         Section 4.2 Further Assurances. From time to time, at the request of
PhoneTel, in the case of Holder, or at the request of Holder, in the case of
PhoneTel, and without further consideration, each party shall execute and
deliver or cause to be executed and delivered such additional documents and
instruments and take all such further action as may be reasonably necessary or
desirable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         Section 4.3 Specific Performance. Holder agrees that PhoneTel would be
irreparably damaged if for any reason Holder fails to perform any of Holder's
obligations under this Agreement, and that PhoneTel would not have an adequate
remedy at law for money damages in such event. Accordingly, PhoneTel shall be
entitled to seek specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief
to enforce the performance of this Agreement by Holder. This provision is
without prejudice to any other rights that PhoneTel may have against Holder for
any failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

         Section 4.4 Amendments, Termination. This Agreement may not be modified
or amended except by an instrument or instruments in writing signed by each
party hereto. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of
Holder set forth in Article I, Article II

                                       4
<PAGE>

and Article III, including the obligation of Holder to vote the Shares in favor
of the Merger Agreement, shall terminate, except with respect to liability for
prior breaches thereof, upon the earliest to occur of (i) termination of the
Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, (ii) the Closing Date under the
Merger Agreement and (iii) the date, if any, upon which the Company's Board of
Directors withdraws, modifies or changes its recommendation or approval of the
Merger Agreement or the Mergers in a manner adverse to PhoneTel (the
"Termination Date").

         Section 4.5 Assignment. Subject to Section 1.3 hereof, neither this
Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement
shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise by any
of the parties without the prior written consent of the other parties. Subject
to the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to
the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

         Section 4.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the documents
referred to herein) (a) constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all
prior agreements and understanding, both oral and written between the parties
with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and (b) is not intended to
confer upon any person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies.

         Section 4.7 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, sent by
documented overnight delivery service or telecopied with confirmation of
receipt, to the parties at the addresses specified below (or at such other
address or telecopy or telex number for a party as shall be specified by like
notice):

          If to PhoneTel to:

                           PhoneTel Technologies, Inc.
                           1001 Lakeside Avenue, 7th Floor
                           Cleveland, OH  44114
                           Attention:  John D. Chichester
                           Telecopy number:  (216) 875-4337

         with a copy to:

                           Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP
                           3300 BP Tower
                           Cleveland, OH  44114-2301
                           Attention:  F. Ronald O'Keefe, Esq.
                           Telecopy number: (216) 241-2824

                                       5
<PAGE>

         If to Holder, to:

                           EGI-DM Investments, L.L.C.
                               C/O Equity Group Investments, L.L.C.
                           Two North Riverside Plaza
                           Chicago, IL 60606
                           Telecopy number: (312) 454-1671

         Section 4.8 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware regardless of
the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of
laws thereof.

         Section 4.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and,
shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of
the parties and delivered to the other parties in original or facsimile form.

         Section 4.10 Interpretation. The headings contained in this Agreement
are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

         Section 4.11 Severability. Any provision hereof which is invalid or
unenforceable shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or
unenforceability, without affecting in any way the remaining provisions hereof.

         Section 4.12 Consent to Jurisdiction. Each party hereto irrevocably
submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of (a) the state courts of the State of
Delaware and (b) the United States federal district courts located in the State
of Delaware for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out
of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby.

         Section 4.13 Attorney's Fees. If any action at law or in equity is
necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing
party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees, costs and necessary
disbursements, in addition to any other relief to which such party may be
entitled.

                                     * * *

                                       6
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been signed by or on behalf of
each of the parties as of the date first above written.

                                      EGI-DM INVESTMENTS, L.L.C.

                                      By:  /s/ Samuel Zell
                                         --------------------------------------
                                      Name:  Samuel Zell
                                      Title: President

                                      PHONETEL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                                      By:    /s/ John D. Chichester
                                         --------------------------------------
                                      Name:  John D. Chichester
                                      Title: Chief Executive Officer

                                       7

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