The return of pay phones may save humans from extinction by providing a reliable, resilient means of communication during emergencies when mobile networks often fail. Unlike cell phones, pay phones are hardwired to landline networks that typically remain functional during power outages, natural disasters, or grid failures, ensuring uninterrupted access to emergency services with accurate location information. They also offer caller anonymity, vital in sensitive situations like domestic abuse. In crises such as hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, pay phones were essential lifelines when cellular towers were knocked out, enabling thousands to contact first responders and loved ones. As climate change intensifies severe weather and technological vulnerabilities grow, reintroducing pay phones—especially free, internet-enabled models—could be crucial in preventing communication blackouts that risk lives, thereby bolstering humanity’s chances of survival in an unpredictable future.
In an era dominated by smartphones and instant digital communication, the humble pay phone seemed destined for the history books. But in parts of rural America, where cellular dead zones still plague everyday life, pay phones are making a surprising and practical comeback—free of charge and more connected than ever.
Patrick Schlott, a 31-year-old electrical engineer in Vermont’s Orange County, has taken it upon himself to restore and reinvent old pay phones to serve communities where cell reception is spotty at best. “You go down the road, turn the corner, and you’re behind a mountain—you’ll lose cell coverage pretty fast,” Schlott explains. To solve this, he buys vintage pay phones secondhand and refurbishes them in his home workshop. Connecting them to the internet, Schlott has created pay phones capable of making free calls anywhere in the U.S. or Canada—with no coins required and no cost to users.[3][4]
Since installing his first phone outside a general store in the town of Tunbridge last year, hundreds of calls have been made, including emergency calls from motorists with broken-down vehicles and students at a public library who need to check in with parents. Schlott’s project is gaining traction especially as Vermont recently voted to ban cell phones in schools starting in the 2026–2027 academic year, creating a renewed need for community-connected, phone-based communication.[3]
What makes Schlott’s venture compelling is the blend of retro tech and modern connectivity. By converting pay phones with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, he bypasses traditional phone networks and eliminates the need for coins or calling cards, democratizing access to emergency and personal communication in underserved areas.[2][5]
The Last Pay Phones and Their Vanishing Era
Pay phones were once ubiquitous fixtures of urban and rural landscapes alike, peaking in the 1990s with over two million booths across the U.S. However, the rise of mobile phones triggered a steep decline. By the early 2010s, pay phones were tributaries of a bygone age, with phone companies dismantling booths to cut costs. The pandemic accelerated the trend, as public spaces saw less foot traffic.
Recent data suggest that fewer than 60,000 payphones remain in the U.S., mostly in places where cellular coverage is limited or among vulnerable populations who lack mobile devices. Some pay phones, especially in cities, have been retrofitted into Wi-Fi hotspots or information kiosks, while others serve as nostalgic symbols of pre-digital connectivity.[8][9]
Why the Return Matters
The revival of pay phones like Schlott’s speaks to a critical gap in modern connectivity: not everyone has reliable access to mobile networks. Cell phones depend on consistent coverage, batteries, and often pricey plans—barriers that pay phones can help overcome.
This resurgence also spotlights the importance of communication access as a public utility with safety, social, and educational implications. From allowing stranded travelers to call for help, to enabling students to maintain contact with family amid school cell phone bans, these phones serve tangible community needs.
Patrick Schlott’s initiative demonstrates that with modest investment ($20 a month comparable to everyday entertainment expenses) and a little technological ingenuity, communities can regain vital communication lifelines. His work also sparks a broader conversation about blending old and new technologies to ensure no one is left disconnected in an increasingly digital world.[1][3]
Payphones by State, A Partial Look
Here is an updated partial state-by-state breakdown including Oregon, Washington, California, Montana, Florida, and South Dakota, illustrating the decline and current presence of pay phones across the U.S.:
– Oregon: Experienced a 95% decline in pay phones, with about 1,076 remaining as of 2016. That’s roughly 26.3 pay phones per 100,000 people. Oregon is among the states innovating with projects that update pay phones to provide free calls and voicemail services.[10][11]
– Washington: Similarly saw a 95% drop, retaining 1,730 pay phones (23.7 per 100,000 people) as of 2016. Many older phones, especially in rural areas and national parks, still serve as vital backups where cellular coverage is spotty.[10]
– California: While exact recent numbers vary, California has seen tens of thousands of pay phones vanish over the past two decades, reflecting the nationwide trend. Remaining pay phones are often located in urban transit hubs or repurposed for digital services, though rural locations still rely on some operational units.[16]
– Montana: With its expansive rural areas and mountainous terrain that challenge cell reception, Montana retains a small but important number of pay phones, mostly in towns and public facilities, though the exact count is low compared to population density.
– Florida: Has also seen a steep decline in pay phones, though some remain in public transit stations and airports, where they service tourists and residents without mobile phones.
– South Dakota: Has one of the lowest counts of pay phones nationwide due to its sparse population, but the ones that remain are critical in remote areas with limited cellular coverage, serving agricultural communities and travelers.[10]
Overall, pay phone numbers nationwide have plummeted by over 90%, leaving fewer than 60,000 in operation today. Still, in these specific states and others, pay phones continue to fill crucial communication gaps—particularly in areas with poor cell service or among vulnerable populations lacking mobile devices. Some have even been retrofitted into Wi-Fi hotspots or information kiosks, blending old utility with new technology to ensure people stay connected.[10][11]
This updated data reinforces why community-driven efforts like Patrick Schlott’s free internet-connected pay phones in Vermont resonate so strongly—offering accessible, reliable communication in a world that too often assumes everyone is digitally connected.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Pay Phones
As more people become aware of the need for reliable, accessible communication options, initiatives like Schlott’s may inspire wider deployments of free or low-cost pay phones, especially in rural, remote, or economically disadvantaged communities.
While smartphones will remain dominant, the pay phone’s comeback reminds us that sometimes, the best solutions come from reimagining the past to meet the present—and safeguarding essential connections for the future.
In a world that often assumes constant connectivity, the resurgence of these old-school communication devices is a phone call back to community, safety, and accessibility—ringing loud and clear once again.
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[1] https://wror.com/2025/07/28/who-needs-a-pay-phone-in-2025/
[2] https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/good-news-vermont-engineer-restores-payphones-for-community-use-243145797524
[3] https://www.npr.org/2025/08/04/nx-s1-5484013/engineer-restores-pay-phones-for-free-public-use
[4] https://apnews.com/article/vermont-pay-phone-free-rural-cellphone-c386f61a094d5fe5b868402bffddfc62
[5] https://1037wllr.iheart.com/content/2025-07-23-this-guys-bringing-payphones-backand-theyre-totally-free/
[6] https://www.reddit.com/r/Xennials/comments/1imf0iw/i_found_an_actual_working_pay_phone_in_2025_i_was/
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFEmp7FeHig
[8] https://dailytechnewsshow.com/2025/06/18/are-payphones-making-a-comeback-thanks-to-voip-dtnsb-5043/
[9] https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2025/04/24/goodbye-line-payphone
[10] https://ktvz.com/stacker-lifestyle/2024/06/12/the-decline-of-pay-phones-in-every-state/
[11] https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/pay-phones-coming-back-free.htm
[12] https://www.payphone-directory.org
[13] https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Payphone&find_loc=Portland%2C+OR
[14] https://www.oregon.gov/dor/forms/FormsPubs/form-or-cppr_553-004_2025.pdf
[15] https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewCompDocument.action;JSESSIONID_OARD=dfVnnd4riSdRv5dTMM_wDGFCye4uYkQ1Lhh6QF8fUMRwa4pzoyPg!99228750?compDocRsn=1439
[16] https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-04-08/death-of-the-pay-phone