Dropping Home Phone

I don't remember ever having a home phone. We all have cell phones from 3 different carriers, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

 

Our last home phone was still turned on because we had dsl internet then even tho we carried cell phones. All we ever got was solicitations request for donations most nights and always at dinner time.We cut the cord to the phone and dsl around 2006, Never missed either.

 

The only reason I still have a landline is because it comes free with my cable bundle but I only use it to receive calls. I usually call people on my mobile because all calls within Australia are free and there is no cap but if I call on my landline there are timed National calls and fixed price local calls. Because the landline connection is free with the bundle, Optus (my provider) makes the money back on calls and these are dearer than usual to cover the free connection hence using the service to only receive calls.
When we move house in August, I won't even bother with a landline phone and will only have a fibre to the house internet connection.

 

We gave up our home phone about a year ago and have not missed it at all. Everyone we want to talk to was already calling our cells. Kept the DSL for $29 a month. Then last month it was raised to $49. I was not happy about that because as I have mentioned before AT&T DSL is VERY SLOW. I just have not taken the time to change to something else and also as mentioned before not many options available that are any better. Then this months bill came and it went up to $64.49. Snails pace DSL speed is not worth $64.49. I am not a happy camper!

 

Good for you Tim.I don't miss mine one bit.

I have not had a home phone for over 10 years now.I don't get any robot calls on my cell.Having a home phone is probably more of a pain than just having a cell phone.At least with a cell phone you can block numbers.

 

We've kept the landline because it costs less than $8 per month for line rental.
Also, between 7 PM and 7 AM, and on weekends and public holidays, calls cost a third of the regular price.

 

We keep our landline for emergencies. On occasion we lose our cellular connection during heavy rain, mist, and snow. Like other people have mentioned we rarely use the landline.

 

That's great Eldon. If we could get landline that cheep we probably would of kept it. Our phone bill with DSL was $115.

Some things you just can't count on. Few years ago our area had a ice storm and telephone poles and phone lines were down in many areas for 2 weeks. Electricity was out at my house for 2 weeks but other members of the family had no electricity for a month. Thankfully we didn't have a emergency. Cell phones were out for several days also. Interesting note was that before the phones worked the internet worked on same lines as the phone line, just had to plug the modem into the generator.

 

@TimW I hope your wife is OK ....take care

 

Pleased to hear your wife is OK Tim and remember that you can always replace a car

 

Glad that your wife is okay, mate! Sorry to hear about your car.

 

The only reasons I keep a "home" phone are for the fact that 911 shows my exact address in case of emergency and having to send faxes (remember those?) a few times per year.

VOIP is usually a lower cost option if you want to keep your home phones and number. The two best on sound quality and reliability are Vonage and OOMA. Vonage won't save you much (if anything); their "$9.99/month" package is actually over $18 by the time taxes and hidden fees are added. OOMA is the better deal. You pay around $90 for the box, then pay only actual governmet taxes/fees (about $5-$6/month depending on where you live) forever, and it includes the 911 locator service. To "port" (keep) your existing phone number, you may pay a one-time fee of $30-$40.

Important Tip: If you have to call 911 from a cell phone, be sure to state your address immediately ("My house at 1234 Main Street is on fire!"). If not sure of the exact address, give a landmark (An accident in front of Walmart on Highway 6). Friends of mine who are first responders say doing this may cut the response time down, possibly saving your life.

 

I could pay 15 dollars an extra a month for a home phone,Through Armstrong cable.But kinda point less for me due to the fact most people i know have my cell number and i never lose connection with it.

Got a new one FYI for them that new about my old POS.