Sounds like we’re in pretty similar situations. Country, not that reliable cell coverage. I have had quite frequent power outages and they always seem to get mine back last.
It was handy to have a land line to bitch to the power company, but don’t know how much good it does.
My current phone situation is ATT with unlimited LD for $40. (I don’t make international LD fortunately). I also have a cell (have to have, don’t use much), pay as you go, that averages about $8 month.
My internet is the killer. ISDN. Slow and about $125/month.
Tell me about your cell for $8 bucks a month. Indeed, we sound very similar, including last in line for power to get re-connected. Last February, we had a lovely ice storm. No power for 4 days (could’ve easily gone longer), bought a generator from Home Depot for heat to prevent water pipes from freezing. It was the coldest weeks of that winter. Lost power at 6pm Thursday, by Saturday 5 am, 34 degrees in the house. Got it up to 55 degrees after 4 hours of generator use to run the furnace.
Have you considered Hughes or other satellite internet? Has to be cheaper and faster.