A Vermont engineer is bringing back payphones, but with a modern twist. Patrick Schlott is restoring old payphones and installing them in rural areas where cell service is unreliable or non-existent, offering free calls through VoIP technology. His project, RandTel, aims to provide a public service, especially where cell phones might not work or are unavailable.
Schlott recognized the need for reliable communication options in rural Vermont, where cell service can be spotty. He buys old payphones at auctions and flea markets, refurbishes them, and retrofits them with VoIP technology to transmit calls over the internet.
The payphones are free to use, eliminating the need for coins, and are installed in locations like libraries, stores, and information booths. Schlott sees this project as a way to connect communities, provide a vital public service, and offer a backup communication option when cell phones fail. The project has received positive feedback from community members and organizations, highlighting its value and impact. One particular phone, installed at Randolph's information booth, is even powered by solar energy!
Listen as he talks about how and why he's doing this.
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