Back to Landline Phones

[sam1954]

I have a landline because I’ve always had one. It is however a VOIP line. It does ring on my iPhone which my son gave me because I refused to go to the dark side and get a cell. His logic was once I turned 60 I must be on the verge of falling down and not getting back up.

Thinking of dropping my current landline and keeping my internet, then signing up for a VOIP account (maybe Vonage). VOIP appears to be much cheaper (about half the cost) and I'd still have a landline. Don't get very good reception on my cell.

 

[Ruth n Jersey]

I love my landline phone. I have a hearing problem and can usually hear much better on a landline We use a Tracfone for traveling and for emergencies only. I also have a CaptionCall phone I use when making calls to businesses which is a big help as well.

 

[Leonie]

My daughter wanted me to get rid of my landline and replace it with a cell phone. I told her no. The reasons I stated are: I was without power a few years ago for a whole week because of a major ice storm that had caused power lines to break. During this time, my landline was still working and never went out. If I had a cell phone only, the charge would have run out and I would have been without a phone. Also, I have several extensions in this house so I can take a call without having to go to the opposite end of the house to get the phone and I don't have to take a phone with me everywhere I go in this house but with a cell phone I would.

Lucky you, we are now on the NBN, (National Broadband Network), here in Australia and when the power goes out so does the landline. Our extensions stopped working too, we had to buy a fancy new phone that was wi-fi enabled to use them. And they call it progress.

 

[Smokey613]

In reality, there are fewer “landlines” in the traditional sense. The old copper lines went away years ago for about 55% of Americans. Where there used to be an actual copper line between your house and the local telco, today the “last mile” of copper to your house probably relies on several runs of fiber between you and the telco. In the old days the phone lines themselves carried the power between you and the telco and worked even during a local power outage.