Posted on 02/25/2011 9:38:54 AM PST by teenyelliott
We are thinking of getting rid of our landline. We no longer use our fax machine and our internet is a five spot. We have scaled down our one remaining phone line to just the dial tone. We called to cancel the line completely and at&t threw in free caller ID/call waiting for a year, so we still have the line.
We are trying to cut costs everywhere we can, and we rarely use the phone. Not to mention that at&t is aligned with satan and always overcharges us (we keep changing companies to get away from them and then they buy the company we chose), and I simply cannot stomach all the taxes and fees.
I keep thinking we need it for security reasons, i.e. landlines almost always work even when the power is out, what if the cell batteries are dead (I have a solar cell charger, so don't know if that excuse holds), etc. etc.
Have any of you taken the plunge, and for those of you who have not, why not?
I did it about 2 years ago. Never looked back. I was spending $50+ a month and never, EVER used it.
The one problem you might run into is what if the cell service goes down, rare but does happen. Is your ATT voip?
If not why not get a $30/mth Voip line from your cable co?
Yes, get rid of it.Use cellphones.
The only reason you might possibly need a landline is for Directivo, for just the initial setup.(I bought a 100ft phone extension and just updated it at my neighbors) and for DSL which is a non issue because now I have DSL without the active phone line.
DO IT! You will be FREE!
During a power outage it has a use as long as it’s not a cordless. You can’t charge cellphones in a power outage.
I have. You don’t need it. Charge your cell in your car if there’s a power outage.
I haven't seen any downside.
/johnny
Get some landline service through the internet on the cheap.
I still worry about 911 calls through a cell phone and the ability of the 911 call center to identify where you are located. I have kept my land line but switched from AT&T to my cable TV provider bundled with my Internet and cable.
I’ve been on VoIP (with cell backup) for several years with no problem, but you’ve identified the right issue. A landline isn’t guaranteed to be there 100% either but it’s likely to be there when VoIP and cell sites are down due to a power outage or internet problem. The biggest factor I’d consider is any medical or emergency needs that might warrant paying the cost of the landline for that reason alone.
I left the landline behind 5 years ago and went to Vonage. With our volume of calls it’s well worth it. There is 911 service (though you have to play with the website any time you move in order to make sure the “right” services are alerted), and the cell phone is a backup.
Before I was married, my LL bill was over $100 most months. Now it’s about $35. My wife makes at least one lengthy LD call a day without affecting the bill at all.
How much you’re willing to pay for a sense of security is up to you.
Do you use a voip? I have looked into that but most complaints seem to be sound quality issues.
Yes, get rid of it.Use cellphones.
The only reason you might possibly need a landline is for Directivo, for just the initial setup.(I bought a 100ft phone extension and just updated it at my neighbors) and for DSL which is a non issue because now I have DSL without the active phone line.
DO IT! You will be FREE!
>>>You can’t charge cellphones in a power outage.
A well prepared person knows what they need to do... charge in a car, have a solar charger for phones... rig up a small wind generator to charge a 12 volt battery... lot’s of things can be done to charge cell phones in the absence of utility line power.
One problem we have is we live in a rural area with spotty cell service. We solved that by getting a cell phone booster (there are several on the market) which has given us three bars here at home.
Another concern is what happens if the wife goes on a trip and takes her cell phone with her. I also have a cell phone but it has a different number of course. So if she is gone (and assuming we use her number for the credit cards, stores, internet sites, etc.) then those type of calls would be going to her. And she and I both travel so the problem exists for each of us.
I got a cordless phone that uses an extra battery to run the phone when there is a power outtage. Kinda neat to make a call when everybody else’s landline is down.
I haven’t had a landline is years. In fact, I am telling Verizon to shove their $115/mo for my cell next month(I only get 450 mins). I’m getting a smartphone from Virgin and will pay $40/mo for 1200 mins.
I have a solar charger, and can use the car charger as well.
I dropped my landline a few years ago. I don’t miss it a bit. I never even noticed it was gone.
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