Phone lines?

[Flatcoatluver]

I don't really use my cell, I always have it with me just incase of emergencys. I use it to call one friend and text msg another friend but that's only about once a week.

[Laura's Babies]

After Hurrican Ivan, it took the phone company so long to restore phone service that my sister realized she didn't need a land line anymore... but that was in a town with good cell coverage.

I also know a guy who's father died because he did have a heart attack and no land phone to call for help and this guy had taken his cell phone with him when he left. His Dad made it to a neighbors where he died on their front porch.

[catnapper]

Hmmm.... some interesting thoughts.

As for cell battery dying, not worried since we're all obsessed with charging it. Pam, even when the phone is charging you can still receive calls. Our phones are never turned off.

If the power goes out, our land lines go out. We're supposed to have battery backup with the cable phones, but what is supposed to be and what is are two different things. So in an emergency we could never rely on the land lines -- they're dead.

There are 5 of us in the house with cells. Soon to be 6 with SIL moving in. If any one of us can't locate our phone, there's someone else right there with theirs. I am far from worried about having a phone handy in any emergency situation. We'll have more than enough!

As for cell coverage, its awesome here. No problems in the house. No problems even in the elevator at work! We have superb coverage and never get dropped calls. If anything, people complain of not being able to hear us on the land line!!!!

[Grace]

Hmmm.... some interesting thoughts.
If the power goes out, our land lines go out. We're supposed to have battery backup with the cable phones, but what is supposed to be and what is are two different things. So in an emergency we could never rely on the land lines -- they're dead.

Cable doesn't count as a true land line - IMHO. We have Ma Bell, and we have had phone service through ice storms and thunder storms; we have had phone service without electricity and/or cable service. Our neighbors have cable phone - they constantly have difficulties while we just chug along.

[Catty1]

When I got cable TV, I switched the phone and internet over.

I am switching the phone BACK - there were some repairs made, but I still have dropped a call - and sometimes people who call me have the phone continuing to ring or going right to voice mail...this is after I answer!

Back to the good old reliable line.

ETA - am near mountains, and there are places near here where there is no signal...so I can't rely soley on my cell.

AND got a deal on LD - http://www.myworldtalk.com/affinity/aff_ldsp.html They are out of Toronto, but likely have service from elsewhere.

No fees or contracts - 3 cents a minute in Canada. Deal for me! If I don't use $2.99 per month, I get charged that...unless I don't make ANY LD calls at all.