In Tunbridge, Vermont, residents now have access to payphones again—despite almost non-existent mobile signal within a 10-mile (16 km) radius. Electrical engineer Patrick Schlott, who works at electric‑aeroplane company BETA Technologies, noticed the issue and took matters into his own hands. Per AP News, Schlott began restoring vintage payphones and installing them around town, offering a free and reliable way to make calls in areas where coverage just doesn’t exist.
His first installation went up at the North Tunbridge General Store, with owners Mike and Lois Gross supporting the idea straight away. People were surprised to find that the phones actually work—and don’t require coins. Since then, more phones have appeared at the Latham Library in Thetford and a tourist information booth in Randolph. Each runs over internet-based phone lines, with Schlott converting the old hardware himself.
The setup is inexpensive, too. The phone lines cost just $2–$3 per month, with calls adding less than $5 on top. Schlott foots the bill himself. To keep things manageable, callers dial zero to reach him directly, although he uses an app to keep his number private.
A practical fix with retro charm
The phones are more than a quirky throwback—they’re being used regularly. Latham Library logged over 370 calls in just five months, many from local teenagers arranging lifts home. One parent, Hannah McClain, told AP the phones offer reassurance when her daughters are out late and can’t reach her by mobile.
In remote areas like rural Vermont, mobile providers are reluctant to invest in new infrastructure, making reliable communication a real challenge. Schlott’s low-tech solution addresses that gap. He’s already thinking about expanding the project to places like Brownell Library in Essex, and he’s not short of enthusiasm.
There’s also something satisfying about the tactile nature of payphones—the solid click of the handset, the background hum of the dial tone. Schlott, as quoted in ABC News, says he’s happier seeing these old machines being used than left to rust or clog up landfill.
The project’s gained traction online too. Social media users on Reddit and X have called it inspiring, with one thread on GOOD praising the return of analogue infrastructure in a digital age.
What’s next?
While Schlott has funded everything so far out of his own pocket, the success of the project could open doors for community or municipal support. And while each phone needs a reliable internet connection, that still costs far less than building mobile towers across Vermont’s hilly landscape.
More than anything, this revival shows how older technology—when adapted with a bit of know-how—can still have a place in solving today’s problems. In an emergency or blackout, these payphones could prove a lifeline. And in everyday life, they’re a charming, practical reminder that not everything needs to be cutting edge to work.
If anything, this little town in Vermont is reminding the rest of us that staying connected doesn’t always require a smartphone in your pocket—sometimes, a familiar handset on the wall will do just fine.