Why do you still have a land-line?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the reasons for maintaining a landline phone in addition to a cell phone. Participants explore various factors influencing their choices, including reliability, cost, and personal preferences. The conversation touches on practical implications, such as power outages and the need for redundancy in communication methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention that they keep a landline due to poor cell phone reception in their homes.
  • Others argue that landlines are often bundled with internet services, making them a cost-effective choice.
  • Several participants highlight the reliability of landlines during power outages, noting that traditional landlines can function when cell towers fail.
  • Some individuals use landlines for long-distance calls due to better pricing compared to cell phone plans.
  • A few participants express that having both a landline and a cell phone provides redundancy, ensuring communication options remain available if one fails.
  • There are differing views on the necessity of a landline, with some participants stating they only use cell phones.
  • One participant shares a personal experience of being without phone service during a storm, reinforcing their decision to keep a landline.
  • Some participants discuss the social dynamics of phone numbers, using landlines for less important contacts and cell phones for more significant ones.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of reasons for keeping or not keeping a landline, leading to multiple competing views. There is no consensus on whether a landline is necessary, as opinions vary based on individual circumstances and preferences.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention specific limitations related to their phone service, such as reliance on power for digital services and the geographic challenges of cell reception. These factors contribute to the complexity of the discussion without resolving the underlying questions.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals considering their communication options, particularly those evaluating the practicality and reliability of landlines versus cell phones.

sysreset
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Why do you still have a "land-line?"

...and a cell phone, too. I've noticed that lots and lots of people have two phone numbers, not even counting their work numbers. It makes no sense. You have to do everything twice, like checking two voicemail boxes.

In my case, I have both because I can't get cell phone reception in my home. That in and of itself is a long story, but I am wondering if other people have this problem too or whether there are other factors...
 
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sysreset said:
...and a cell phone, too. I've noticed that lots and lots of people have two phone numbers, not even counting their work numbers. It makes no sense. You have to do everything twice, like checking two voicemail boxes.

In my case, I have both because I can't get cell phone reception in my home. That in and of itself is a long story, but I am wondering if other people have this problem too or whether there are other factors...

For a lot of people it comes down to it being so cheap that it's a 'why not?'. Most people still have typical POTS lines run to their house, so the bells and other companies can offer bundle packages that combine the DSL internet and phone into one payment. Years ago I thought that cable-tv/cable-internet and VOIP would put a hurting on POTS, but after personally diagnosing problems with VOIP in a network ops... it still has a way to go before it can beat the reliability of a standard phone line.

It's also a good backup when your cell phone is charging or if you live in an are where reception isn't great. If one goes out, you have another.
 
For some, it's like having two or more email addresses.
You can give some folks one mode of contact and leave the other for (say) higher priority contact.

In addition, landlines (but probably not the digital phone service that comes with cable service) are probably more functional in the event of a power failure.
 
I only keep a cell.
 
robphy said:
In addition, landlines (but probably not the digital phone service that comes with cable service) are probably more functional in the event of a power failure.

Bingo!

Every bell and sufficiently sized telco that I am aware of, has a large battery array in case of a power failure. And when the batteries get low, they have diesel generators which come online to recharge the batteries.
 
Need a landline for my internet connection. I get free calls to other landlines, so why not?
 
My landline is way cheaper than my cell phone, I use my landline for the majority of my calls to save money, my cell is just for emergencies when I am traveling and whatnot.
 
scorpa said:
My landline is way cheaper than my cell phone, I use my landline for the majority of my calls to save money, my cell is just for emergencies when I am traveling and whatnot.

What he said.
 
I had thought about not getting a land line in my next house, but we had a big storm here a couple of years ago and I didn't have power at my house for 5 days. At that time we had (Comcast) digital cable phone and a cell phone. The cell towers ran out of fuel in their generators for at least a day or two (depending on the tower), and the digital line required power to operate. Needless to say, we had no phones for a while. I have learned my lesson and will be putting in a standard (Qwest) land line in the future house now, and I also switched back to Qwest in the current house. I use the cell phone for long distance and when we are out and about, and the land line for local calls and when the power is out! My family was rather stressed not being able to get ahold of us to find out if we were okay. (which we were, we did better than 90% of the locals that also had no power)
 
  • #10
Chi Meson said:
What he said.

He's a she. :smile:
But, same thing here. My cell is only for incoming calls or emergencies; W uses hers to call me when she's out of town, which is the majority of the time. In addition, both of our cells are our private domain, whereas the house phone is for both of us.
 
  • #11
I have both for redundancy. I have free dial up internet in the event the DSL goes out, and a broadband wireless connection card as a back up in the event both go out. I also have a cell phone.

Cable seems to be rather problamatic at times, the land line is waay more reliable. I also have a corded home phone incase electricity goes out. I have candles and books if all else fails. :biggrin:
 
  • #12
Evo said:
I have candles and books if all else fails. :biggrin:

And a good supply of batteries for your friend...? :rolleyes:
 
  • #13
I don't, I only carry a cell phone.
 
  • #15
Danger said:
He's a she. :smile:

Dang it! I knew that!
 
  • #16
Chi Meson said:
Dang it! I knew that!

It's fine. I would haven't known either :smile:
 
  • #17
It is cheaper to have the land line, for when I'm at home. The cell is used just for when I'm out and about :smile:
 
  • #18
I keep a landline so there is someone that can call me on my cell phone.

If I didn't have a landline, I'd have to call myself from payphones. And those are expensive.
 
  • #19
Do they still have payphones?? lol I'm not sure I saw one in a while
 
  • #20
Poop-Loops said:
I keep a landline so there is someone that can call me on my cell phone.

If I didn't have a landline, I'd have to call myself from payphones. And those are expensive.

I didn't get what you just said.

You keep a land-line so there is someone that can call you on your cell phone?

Why would you need a land-line if you wanted people to call you on your cell phone?
 
  • #21
Well, who else is going to call me?
 
  • #22
Well I figured if you wanted people to call you on your cell phone, then just own a cell phone then so you can be contacted anywhere (and your voice mail can function as a mobile answering machine).

You don't need to have a land-line for people to contact you at home, or in this case your cell phone (which I didn't grasp)
 
  • #23
The landline is the number I give to my relatives. The cell phone is the number I give to people I actually want to hear from. :rolleyes:

Actually, it's more to do with cost. I have unlimited long distance on my landline, and make a lot of long distance calls. To upgrade my cell phone plan to include that many minutes of long distance calling time, it would cost as much as it does to pay for both phones currently, and with two phones, I always have a backup if one is down. Afterall, if I kill my cellphone, how do I call to get a replacement if I don't have a landline? And if my landline is out of service, how do I call to report it without a cell phone?
 
  • #24
Moonbear said:
The landline is the number I give to my relatives. The cell phone is the number I give to people I actually want to hear from. :rolleyes:
:smile: That's what I do. Actually, people I don't want to talk to get my landline which I never answer as I don't even have my phone plugged in because it's my dsl line and will only be used in the event my cell phone dies.
 
  • #25
I have a land-line because the switch is 1.2 miles from here and the DSL is reliable. I have a prepaid cell because I like to fish in remote areas, and it might be nice to be able to call someone when my 12+ year old truck decides to throw a fit 50 miles away from a main road.

Evo, you need to know that Mainers tend to use vehicles until they rust into piles of flaky scale. It's a given. If you want me to set you up with a Maine guy, you should be prepared to ride around in a vehicle that you wouldn't want to be seen in at a bass tournament.
 
  • #26
Moonbear said:
. Afterall, if I kill my cellphone, how do I call to get a replacement if I don't have a landline? And if my landline is out of service, how do I call to report it without a cell phone?

Easy! Go to your car, plug the cell phone into the car charger, and call. :smile:
 
  • #27
BryanP said:
Easy! Go to your car, plug the cell phone into the car charger, and call. :smile:

Huh? I wasn't talking about a dead battery. I'm much more of a "drop it down the side of the mountain" type.
 
  • #28
I keep my land line because of my fax machine and home security system still need them. But my alarm system has a cell phone back up.
 
  • #29
Moonbear said:
Huh? I wasn't talking about a dead battery. I'm much more of a "drop it down the side of the mountain" type.

oh

lol, I wouldn't be worried about my land-line if I lost a mode of contact up a mountain ;-p
 
  • #30
BryanP said:
oh

lol, I wouldn't be worried about my land-line if I lost a mode of contact up a mountain ;-p
In my neck of the woods, you wouldn't be able to get into your car due to the inch thick ice coating it. Also, during outages, the cell towers are overloaded due to everyone trying to use their cell phone and you can't connect, but I have my corded land line and have no problem.
 

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