The US Government wants to eliminate landlines. Taxing them to extinction is a way to eliminate choice.
This wasn’t my landline phone bill. I don’t even have a landline.
I get my phone and Internet from VoiceStream/T-Mobile. $90 for two lines.
(The equivalent package from the cable company would cost double.
Southwestern Bell cannot offer high-speed Internet since the local loop in my town is still analogue—this part of town is served by a No 1A ESS—electronic, but switches an ANALOGUE phone line)