https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/tech/pay-phone-philadelphia/3452775/

Skip to content
NBC10 Philadelphia
Main Navigation
Search
Search for: [                    ] [Search]
Weather Local Sports Entertainment Investigators Videos Newsletters
Live TV
Share Close
Trending Eagles Phillies Watch NBC10 24/7 on Roku Bundle-Up Philly
Holiday Guide
Expand
[OTT-Philad]
phone

Remember Pay Phones? A Philly Man Is Bringing Them Back Without the
Pay Part

The first PhilTel phone goes live this weekend in Philadelphia's
Chinatown neighborhood

By Matt DeLucia * Published December 16, 2022 * Updated on December
16, 2022 at 8:17 am

   
NBC Universal, Inc.

When was the last time you used - or even saw - a pay phone?

A Philly guy is trying to bring back a bit of nostalgia - and those
big clunky phones - without the pay part.

The ring might sound a bit different. But there's no mistaking the
iconic calling contraption - at least for people of a certain age.

"I probably used one back in my teen years," PhilTel's Mike Dank
said.

    Get Philly local news, weather forecasts, sports and
    entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC Philadelphia
    newsletters.

Digging for change, timed calls, waiting for that annoying person in
front of you to hang up -- it's all coming back isn't it?

"Now when I see one on the street I have to go up and see if it's
working, go check it out," Dank told NBC10. "They intrigue me."

So much so that Dank decided it was time for a comeback. He heard of
a guy in Portland who put a pay phone on his lawn. Dank thought why
not do the same - except maybe not his lawn.

Tech

[2015675024]
nostalgia Dec 16

This Philly Guy Is Bringing Back the Pay Phone Without the Pay Part

[Apple-Musi]
iPhone Dec 6

Apple Music Is Launching a Karaoke Feature Called 'Sing'

"It's been fun putting it together," Dank said.

Dank has embarked on a tech project with a passion.

"I am trying to put them in places that will benefit the community,"
he said. "There is a population of people who don't have access to
cellphones or they have them, but can't keep up with the bills."

So, Dank took the guts out of a phone he bought at a flea market 10
years ago and brought the hunk of metal into the 21^st Century.

The pay phone now operates like any normal phone.

If you look hard enough you can still find pay phones but finding a
working one -- that's even harder. There are only a few dozen left in
the city.

The first of Dank's PhilTel phones -- as he calls them - will start
making calls Saturday afternoon at Iffy Books on North 11^th street
in the Chinatown neighborhood.

There are some hang ups for Dank or anyone trying to do the same
thing. It's all out of pocket for him - anywhere from $300 to $1,000
per phone plus the cost per minute.

So, he's calling on the kindness of strangers who are able to spare a
dime or two.

"Hopefully with donations and funds that'll be covered, but even if
it's not it's a low out of pocket cost," Dank said.

His dream? To see a revamped pay phone in every neighborhood.

"I think one of the more interesting things is going to be seeing how
kids react to it or how parents show their kids how to use it and see
how this sort of archaic process that was once everywhere... works."

    Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news
    stories in your inbox.

This article tagged under:

phonePhiladelphiaChinatown
    

Trending Stories

  * Car, SEPTA Train Collide in Delaware County

    Delaware County

    Car, SEPTA Train Collide in Delaware County
  * Woman Wins More Than $1.6M at Casino, Shares Money With Dealers,
    Gamblers

    New Jersey

    Woman Wins More Than $1.6M at Casino, Shares Money With Dealers,
    Gamblers
  * Face Recognition Tech Gets Girl Scout Mom Booted From Rockettes
    Show -- Due to Where She Works

    FACIAL RECOGNITION

    Face Recognition Tech Gets Girl Scout Mom Booted From Rockettes
    Show -- Due to Where She Works
  * 

Weather Forecast

 
NBC10 Philadelphia

  * Facebook
  * Twitter
  * Instagram

  * Share a News Tip or Feedback
  * Share a Tip for the NBC10 Investigators
  * Newsletters
  * Connect With Us
  * About the Comcast Center Campus

  * WCAU Public Inspection File
  * WCAU Accessibility
  * WCAU Employment Information
  * Privacy Policy
  * Cookie Settings
  * FCC Applications
  * TERMS OF SERVICE
  * Advertise with us
  * Send Feedback
  * CA Notice
  * Ad Choices

Copyright (c) 2022 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. All rights reserved
[p]
Back to Article
Close Menu
NBC10 Philadelphia
Search for: [                    ] [Search]
Local U.S. and World Politics Weather Weather Alerts School Closings 
See It, Share It Sports Phillies Eagles Sixers Flyers NBC Sports
Philadelphia Investigators NBC10 Responds Submit a tip Watch The
Lineup Philly Live Entertainment Wawa Welcome America
Share a News Tip or Feedback Share a Consumer Complaint Share Photos
and Video Our Apps Newsletters Cozi TV

Follow Us

  * Facebook
  * Twitter
  * Instagram

Contact Us