Electrical engineer Patrick Schlott, who works for Beta Technologies in South Burlington, has been resurrecting vintage pay phones across rural Vermont. By wiring each handset to an analog telephone adapter that bridges a local internet link, the devices become free‑to‑use VoIP stations capable of dialing any US or Canadian number. Seven installations now sit in libraries, schools and a town hall.

Schlott’s motivation stemmed from a garage find in early 2023 and the community‑oriented models of Futel and PhilTel. He offers owners internet access and pays the modest monthly line fee—typically a few dollars—while securing the traffic and registering an E911 address for emergency calls. The phones retain their original coin mechanisms, inviting hobbyists to explore classic phone‑phreaking techniques.

Local demand surged after the first unit appeared at the North Tunbridge General Store, where residents often lack cellular service and schools will soon ban smartphones. Costs vary widely—eBay listings range from $400 to $700, while Craigslist can yield units for under $100—making the project affordable through donations and Schlott’s own funds. The effort demonstrates that legacy hardware can deliver reliable public communication without relying on cellular networks.