Patrick Schlott addresses poor cell reception in Vermont's Orange County by restoring old pay phones for community use. He modifies them to allow free calls anywhere in the U.S. or Canada, covering costs himself. Since their installation, the phones have seen daily use, providing reliable communication for residents, especially children needing rides home from the local library. With a new law banning cell phones in schools, Schlott anticipates growing demand for public telephones, highlighting their increasing importance in emergency situations.
Schlott has taken old pay phones, modified them to make free calls, and set them up in three different towns across the county. With just an internet connection, these phones can make calls anywhere in the U.S. or Canada—no coins required.
Since Schlott installed the first phone in March last year outside a general store in the town of Tunbridge, Vt., hundreds of calls have been made. He says the phones have come in handy for drivers whose cars have broken down nearby.
Slott says public telephones will soon be more essential for students in the area due to a new law banning cell phones in schools beginning in the 20262027 academic year.
I knew there would be some fringe cases where it would be really helpful, but I never expected it to get daily use and for people to be this excited about it.
Collection
[
|
...
]