Why keep a landline phone?

Question

We're thinking of getting rid of our landline phone. I can't think of any reason to keep it, but I'm afraid to just do it because what if there's something I'm overlooking? Some hugely important reason that we'll kick ourselves for not thinking of.

Can you think of any reasons why a landline should be kept?

Answer 1

I know quite a few people who have cell phones only. In fact, it's the new trend. I'll never do it, though.

Reasons to keep a landline:

More reliable 911 service. Currently, 911 operators have to call the phone company to find out who owns the cell phone and get the address. This decreases your response time for 911 calls.
You may think, "Well, I'll just tell them where I live", but what if you couldn't? Also, if you have small children, and they need to call 911, can they give the info the 911 people need? Your landline is in then 911 system and even if you call 911 and promptly hang up, they respond, because they have all the info they need.

You can't have a reliable burglar alarm system without a landline.
You can have sirens, but there's no way for your alarm system to call the police or fire department.

You can't have DSL service without a landline. Have cable internet? If you lose power, you lose your cable and your internet.

During a power outage, you don't lose your landline. You don't lose your cell phone, either, but what if the power outage lasts awhile? Cell towers will only run on a battery backup for so long, then they also die. What if your phone is on a low battery? Plug into your car charger? What good is that? Is your car in your living room?

What if you misplace your cell phone? Can you find it if someone calls? What if the battery dies? With a landline, there's always another phone or another jack. What if you accidentally leave your phone somewhere?

You can't screen your calls on a cell phone. You can see the number of the inbound caller, but you can't listen to the message as it's being left, like you can on a good old traditional answering machine, and pick it up if it's important. Don't think this is an issue? What if your husband, wife, child broke down on the side of the road and used someone's cell phone to call you for help, or eeven walked to a payphone to call? On a pay phone, you can't even RETURN the call.

If you make international long distance calls, you might be in for some seriously outrageous charges. You have to jump through hoops for a reasonable LD cell phone provider.

What if your phone breaks or malfunctions and you have a 'contract' with your cell phone company and they don't see eye to eye with you? You have to buy a new phone. If a landline phone breaks, you have to buy a new one, too, but they're everywhere, cheap, and you usually have more than one of them anyway.

Minor hassles for everyday things, like ordering a pizza, as another poster mentioned, but also, just opening a checking account or other accounts that are common and you tend to take for granted. Applying for a loan, trying to buy a car, etc. Your cell phone can't be verified as quickly as your landline and you have to fax your bill to them to prove who you are and where you are.

With a cell phone, you're broadcasting every conversation that you have over a couple of miles. It may be illegal for people to listen in on your cell phone, but that doesn't mean they can't or that they won't. Although GSM encryption makes this less likely, GSM can be cracked and has been cracked. Cracked over 4 years ago, in fact. Think this unlikely? A dedicated thief can listen into your calls and get your credit card number, if you're charging something. They can find out your vacation plans and when you aren't home. Serious privacy issues with cell only.Your landline is a dedicated, hard-wired connection which takes a physical hardwired connection by someone wanting to listen in, without a court order, of course.

Your cellular network doesn't have nearly as many trunks available as your home phone. If something 'big' happens and you try to make a call, you'll likely not be able to connect with your cell. You'll encounter circuits busy conditons with your landline, as well, but not nearly as often as on a cell.

Transmission issues. Cell phones break up. Landlines don't.

So, there you go. The choice is yours.

Polly

p.s. My company is also in the wireless business, and I do have a cell phone. I don't have anything against them, I just don't rely on it, exclusively, for my everyday life.
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Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Because You Cannot Order A pizza Without Having Your Landline Phone

Answer 4

Depends if you have kids or not. I am single, so I dropped the land line and land line internet. I got the data plan for my phone and now it only costs a few dollars difference but at least I get faster internet service than before.

Look at your past three months and see how much use you have used it for. If you have kids, it is good to keep. But here in San Antonio, they have pocket and cricket phones with Unlimited minutes so they will slowly put the phone companies out of business. Just depends on if you have any use.

If you do keep, tell the phone company you just want the basics. The ATT cost about $20 a month. Then you just get a phone answerring machine so if they want for you to call them, they will leave a number. That is what I eventually did before I finally just dropped the service.

Answer 5

K is right. A lot of delivery places will not take a cell phone.

I keep my land line because I have friends and family all over the country. I make sure that I am listed in case I lose touch with them (though they usually call Mom and Dad first).

My land number is on my resume and many job boards (I'm currently job searching).

When my phone line was out due to storms, I used my cell. Calls got dropped (though I have 4 bars), kitty knocked the phone under the bed and I couldn't find it for 2 days,

Because I'm unemployed, I'm saving on expenses. I am using my prepaid cell (500 peak minutes, $50 a month) and I reduced my MCI plan to 200 minutes a month ($32). After I get a job (which always includes a cell), I will use that for the majority of my outgoing calls.

Answer 6

I like to screen daytime calls on the answering machine while I'm sleeping or napping. I hate phone tag. I also like hearing the phone ringing across the house or in the garden while having a phone in each room. My cell phone is almost always on the other side of my house so it can be hours before I see someone has called. Not into wearing a cellphone holster.

Answer 7

We recently had a day long power outage and cell phones weren't working. People who had digital phone services also couldn't use them. The only thing that was working was the landline phone. I don't know how important a consideration that might be.

Answer 8

There are not many reasons anymore. Some folks would have to if they do not have high speed internet and have to use their phone to get on the internet. Others might like to if they do not want to purchase a cell phone. Along with that even if they purchase a cell phone they may not opt for the nationwide calling plans.

Answer 9

It may be more expensive depending on your cell plan.
If your phone is charging or accidently turned off than your in trouble and its not listed in the phone book so some1 might not be able to find ur number,which could be good or bad. Some phones at places like schools and stuff won't call cells, thier phone is like programed not to do it.

Answer 10

What if you had an emergency & your cell phone wasn't working. Neither are foolproof so it's nice to have a back up either way. It's also nice for those calls you don't want to receive, solicitors, bill collectors, employers who like to call you in on days off, etc, etc. If it's not a financial burden I would keep it.