What is the disadvantages of getting rid of my land line phone? We all have cells.?

Question

I'm with Qwest on their package plan with internet and cable tv (direct tv). I have kids home in the afternoon and all summer without constant supervision (teenagers w/cells). I'd love to save the money but don't want to regret my decision. Or does anyone know of real cheap 'just in case' service, no long distance, no special features (maybe caller id)?

Answer 1

Cellular technology has a limited number of users per node (cell tower\frequency\range\region\etc). These nodes can fill up very fast during an emergency, and leave all your cellphones useless.

Remember the Virginia tech shooting. Everybody tried to call 911 on their cellphones, but were not able to because the network load was to high and the calls could not be safely chirped into the radio frequency.

A landline is almost guaranteed to work, especially in an emergency.......like a terrorist attack....

Just get ATT basic without anything....no sprint long distance or anything. I just pay $10 a month for phone service. If you get the cells from ATT, they will probably cut you a deal since you have home phone already.

Now, as for phone from the cable company and phone from the telephone company......a TRUE phone company is better, since you really dont want your cable going out during a fire....or whatnot....which it probably may....

Additionally....cable companys overcharge for digital phone service, since they use digital circuits completely(voip), thus overcharging you for the phone circuits, especially when calling voip-to-voip, while the phone company uses digitally switched analogue circuits, which cost more, but aren't digitally processed, but can be in an emergency....to increase capacity...

Additionally, CDMA has higher capacity than GSM, but not by much.....

Keep a regular ATT groundline for emergencies...

Answer 2

It's always nice to have a solid landline phone.!! What if you lose or 'misplace' your cell phone, or your battery goes dead? You are without phone service. I would keep a landline. You can get cheaper 'measured rate' service.!!

Answer 3

The disadvantage is that cellular technology is one of the least reliable and if your carrier has outages you will be without a phone where a landline is far less likely to have outages.  You might be better off to call you landline carrier to see if they have any less expensive basic packages so you have the phone there when you need it.

Answer 4

the biggest problem is 911 service isn't reliable enough with a cell phone. you have to tell them where the emergency is then they have to find/figure out which is the closest emergency responder to you. it takes longer and could cost you dearly, not money. the best and cheapest thing is to call your landline provider and ask about POTS { plain old telephone service}. We use Verizon and have this. It costs about $14 a month for service and .10 a call for all local calls, use cell phone for free long distance and toll calls. It allows 911 calls to be routed to your local fire, police, etc. Even with using the phone alot our bill is around $25 or so a month.

Answer 5

Get T-Mobile home service for just $10 a month