Cord Cutters

Aaron

Moderator
Oct 10, 2008
15,998
10,906
168
South Louisiana
Not a typical cord cutting story, but my parents still have a landline phone, mostly for the fax machine. It went dead a couple weeks ago and when they called to see about having someone repair it, they were told it’s no longer an option around here. Whatever lines are buried down there for landline, it’s not feasible to fix given the lack of interest. If you have one and it works, can keep using it, but that’s about it.
 

IdRatherBeSkiing

Sherbet is NOT and NEVER WILL BE ice cream.
Oct 11, 2008
28,537
14,714
168
Toronto, ON
Not a typical cord cutting story, but my parents still have a landline phone, mostly for the fax machine. It went dead a couple weeks ago and when they called to see about having someone repair it, they were told it’s no longer an option around here. Whatever lines are buried down there for landline, it’s not feasible to fix given the lack of interest. If you have one and it works, can keep using it, but that’s about it.
My land line is though my internet provider (cable company so no cord cutting) but as an add on. I can't remove it without increasing my bill. I never use it.
 

sadchild

Dude
Mar 28, 2016
12,220
13,862
168
54
NH
www.asimplecomplex.com
my parents still have a landline phone
I need a landline. I have little to no cell service. Someone I work with, who lives in the same town as me - I'm told he disconnected his landline, then his son had a medical emergency, and he couldn't keep a call going with 911, kept getting disconnected, and his son died.

I now have a cell tower literally across the street from me. But Verizon Wireless isn't on it yet. And even when they do sign on, I don't know if I'm too close to get good signal (I was told this is possible, but don't know if it's true).
 
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sadchild

Dude
Mar 28, 2016
12,220
13,862
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54
NH
www.asimplecomplex.com
I tried to change my Comcast internet to a lesser cost and they put me through similar. I went online it said call. I called she said I had to go online. I was having her guide me through their website to get to the spot where I could have a lesser plan but we were on the phone so long I had to leave my house, so I never got there.
Next target: cable companies! Please! Including reducing your service.

The FTC is finally making it easier to cancel your gym membership
The FTC’s ‘click-to-cancel’ rule will stop companies from making you take unnecessary steps to cancel a subscription.
 

HecticArt

Administrator
Oct 19, 2008
51,177
18,167
168
Toledo, Ohio
We still have a landline, but we rarely answer it.
It‘s for all of the places that you need to give a number for, but rarely need to talk to on a daily basis like Drs offices, utility companies, in-laws……
 
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scotchandcigar

All I wanted was some steak
Feb 13, 2009
25,038
19,941
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Vacationland
I think we need to clarify what everyone's calling a "landline". In the case of Aaron's post, it sounds like he's talking about an old-fashioned landline; one that runs off a phone line coming to the house. That's a phone that'll work when the power is out (unless it's a portable phone).

But in the case of IRBS, it sounds like what I've had in the past. There's a phone jack on the computer modem. So it's a digital landline, but it won't work if the cable is out (or during a power outage, unless you have backup power). And regarding sadchild's argument, I too live in an area where I don't get much cell service through Verizon. But when I'm home, my cell phone is connected through Wi-Fi, so I'm not sure how that's different then a "landline" phone that's connected through your modem.
 

IdRatherBeSkiing

Sherbet is NOT and NEVER WILL BE ice cream.
Oct 11, 2008
28,537
14,714
168
Toronto, ON
Even if your phone is connected to WiFi for data, the cellular functions still go through your carrier do they not?

I haven't had a traditional landline in years. When we got cable internet and ditched the dialup is when we ditched the landline.
 

IdRatherBeSkiing

Sherbet is NOT and NEVER WILL BE ice cream.
Oct 11, 2008
28,537
14,714
168
Toronto, ON
Not since phones started having a Wi-Fi calling setting. I think texting was going through the cell carrier, but that's through Wi-Fi now too, I believe.
My last provider never offered that. I think my new one does but I never turn it on. Carrier is usually more reliable than wifi and I have unlimited minutes.
 

sadchild

Dude
Mar 28, 2016
12,220
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54
NH
www.asimplecomplex.com
Yes my phone line is a "POTS" line (plain old telephone service). Like the kind they installed when they built the house in the 70s.

Not sure on wifi calling except I find if I uncheck it, my regular cell tower calls are more reliable. If I call a number and see "Wifi Calling" on the screen, there's a 50/50 chance it won't go through even if I'm standing in the center of 8 towers in an octagon and can feel my brain sizzling from the signal

I have a network extender from Verizon, which uses my internet connection and satellite. As long as I have internet and power, I can make cell calls and text without issue. But if one of those two goes, I have to leave my cell phone in a certain corner of the dining room so it works about 60% reliably.

sfemto_2_connect_router_ethernet.jpg
 
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scotchandcigar

All I wanted was some steak
Feb 13, 2009
25,038
19,941
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Vacationland
My last provider never offered that. I think my new one does but I never turn it on. Carrier is usually more reliable than wifi and I have unlimited minutes.
Here in 'Murica, the phones have been offering Wi-Fi calling for probably 15 years. I first used it on vacation in the Caribbean.

But to reiterate, I have no cell reception in my house, so Wi-Fi calling is not like an option to consider; it's the only way to use my cell phone. I also have unlimited minutes and unlimited data.
 

scotchandcigar

All I wanted was some steak
Feb 13, 2009
25,038
19,941
168
Vacationland
Yes my phone line is a "POTS" line (plain old telephone service). Like the kind they installed when they built the house in the 70s.

Not sure on wifi calling except I find if I uncheck it, my regular cell tower calls are more reliable. If I call a number and see "Wifi Calling" on the screen, there's a 50/50 chance it won't go through even if I'm standing in the center of 8 towers in an octagon and can feel my brain sizzling from the signal

I have a network extender from Verizon, which uses my internet connection and satellite. As long as I have internet and power, I can make cell calls and text without issue. But if one of those two goes, I have to leave my cell phone in a certain corner of the dining room so it works about 60% reliably.

View attachment 10009
Yes, I've seen that having wifi on can reduce the cell signal. But that only matters if you have a usable cell signal.

And we also have a cell booster from Verizon. But it only works when we have internet (and thus wifi). So it ends up being not useful.
 
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IdRatherBeSkiing

Sherbet is NOT and NEVER WILL BE ice cream.
Oct 11, 2008
28,537
14,714
168
Toronto, ON
Here in 'Murica, the phones have been offering Wi-Fi calling for probably 15 years. I first used it on vacation in the Caribbean.

But to reiterate, I have no cell reception in my house, so Wi-Fi calling is not like an option to consider; it's the only way to use my cell phone. I also have unlimited minutes and unlimited data.
Here, the companies offer the same things .... usually for a price or add on or incentive.

And I was referring to civilization where cell signals are strong. I know you are in the middle of nowhere and this may provide poor cell signal as the nearest towers are a long way away.