Why are phone cables coiled and supercoiled, instead of just straight like other wires?

Question

Why are phone cables coiled and supercoiled, instead of just straight like other wires?

Answer 1

First answer is correct unless you are talking about phone line transmission wires......in which case the purpose of the coils is to reduce electromagnetic interference.  This is caused by induction which occurs more easily when many bundles of wires are strung together, such as inside conduit for instance.

Thus phone wires are sometimes called "twisted pairs" of wires.

Answer 2

So they take up less space, and don't curl up on the floor where you could trip over them.