[Cicero]

Only problem is that if you don’t have a land line, you can’t make a call if the power goes out. But if you save big bucks, that may be worth putting up with.

[RedMDer]

We can’t make a call when the power goes out with Verizon phone service. It’s all through the digital cable.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

We use our cell phones for backup, in the event of a power outage. The Ooma is our land line. With the Ooma, we get free long distance, and can talk as long as we want. We just have the cheapest basic plans on our cells.

[dennisw]

Your cell phone is your backup in a power outage. Plus if using a laptop, a desktop battery backup unit will keep the modem, telephony device and laptop powered for a long time. At least an 1-3 hours I would guess.
Laptop battery would also be supplying juice

[Blood of Tyrants]

Not a problem since most people have cell phones.

[oh8eleven]

Only problem is that if you don’t have a land line, you can’t make a call if the power goes out.
IIRC, you can make a call if your land-line phone is an oldie, i.e., not digital.

[kitchen]

If you have a cable modem, power it off a dedicated UPS. When the power goes down plug your telephone base - but not the handset - into the modem UPS. The handset batteries should last for days and you’ll get your reverse 911 functionality.

If you're on DSL via a phone copper wire you can use an old hard wired handset. Other than that, the disposable cell phone is for emergencies. While the phone company is still distributing service, set all calls to forward to the cell phone. Of course, you should have a solar charging facility to keep the cell phone battery up and running.