For instance, if you have Vonage (or some other internet-based phone line), and your internet service goes out, can you plug an old-fashioned telephone into the wall & call 911 (even if you're not paying for traditional phone service)?
I have heard rumors that you can call 911 from a cell phone even if you're not paying for service, but does the same thing hold true for a traditional land line?
Thanks!
2006-09-10 03:40:42 · 11 answers · asked by Sitting Right Here 2 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Land Phones
I think you would need to have some sort of service to your wall jacks. Plug in the old phone into the jack & listen for a dial tone.....if there is no dial tone, I don't think you can call 911 as you won't be connected to anything.
2006-09-10 03:47:51 · answer #1 · answered by Canadian Ken 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the days when service had to be shut off by climbing the pole and cutting the line, then this was true. Now that someone can sit at a desk, hit a key and terminate your account faster than you can call them illegitimate, this is no more.
In NY State and in areas server by VERIZON, Once a land line account is closed, the company gives anywhere from seven to ten days of restricted service. You will have dial tone but calls off of those lines are restricted to 911. Once the seven to ten days are up, the line goes completely off. The only time you'll find a line active after this is when it's crossed by accident to someone else's line and then you are using service without permission otherwise known as Theft-of-service.
A call made to 911 would be argued strongly to be overlooked if it was a true emergency and the caller did not know the line was crossed.
Having a cell Phones with no active account that would still allow you to call 911 without paying for service also was true once.
You could go to a mission store, buy a cell phone for 99¢ that the former owner had service closed to and keep it in your glove box for that one time call you needed help for. It would not make a call to anyplace but 911. When people learned of this from a TV consumer activist, many wireless companies found out fast realized they were giving away a free service and missing out on the 911 Surcharges that funded most 911 call centers. In the Telephone business, Free is not liked and a lot of major cell phones service providers closed their switches, the offices that send calls, from calling 911. Your phone would be useless.
There are many 911 operators that still aren't aware that a used phone will not always give you 911, 800 calls or both in a break down.
2006-09-13 17:39:09 · answer #2 · answered by Quizmaster of Things 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I was about 8 years old I was trying to call my friend and I accidentally dialed 911. I hung up almost immediately. I tried to call my friend again and I dialed 911 again (the start of her number was close to 911). At the time, we didn't have caller I.D. so when the police called back I answered, then I got really scared and hung up the phone and didn't tell my mom. Then about 10 minutes later I see a police car parked across from my house. The cop came up and rang the doorbell, I was hiding in my room. I was SO scared. My mom answered the door and I guess she said it was just an accident. She was mad at me for not telling her. I was so embarrassed. I still hate talking on the phone now and I'm 14. that's my story, haha ~Shelby
2016-03-27 05:21:43 · answer #3 · answered by Lorraine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I saw them do that on a soap opera...I think it was "All My Children" and 2 people were in an accident and found a summer cabin that was vacated and the phone service was turned off. But they still were able to call 911.
2006-09-10 14:52:34 · answer #4 · answered by Dellajoy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you plug it in and get a dial tone you can. Most cell phones will to even without service as long you as have a dial tone. Mine will sos without a sim card even. So if the phone turns on at all, it should be able to sos.
2006-09-10 03:50:22 · answer #5 · answered by goddesscrowmaiden 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it's a federal law that you can call 911 free from anywhere and any phone
2006-09-10 03:43:17 · answer #6 · answered by waiting4myredemption 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, I also have void, and I have a land line I don't have to pay for it...and get a dial tone, but all I can dial is 911
2006-09-10 04:08:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes, i even think cell phones can dial 911
2006-09-13 11:12:28 · answer #8 · answered by j pringle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only on cell phones!! If your home (land line) is not connected, and you have no dial tone, it will not work!
2006-09-12 07:04:11 · answer #9 · answered by RICHY RICH 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes 911 can be dailed for free anyware anytime
2006-09-12 08:28:56 · answer #10 · answered by dot 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋