1. I will never ditch my land line. During a power failure, even the cell networks go out with over-use, and your land line phone is your only link to civilization. I was considering Verizon FIOS, but am re-considering due to the fact that they prefer you give up the land line phone too. I continually wonder at our society's constant giving-up things non-electronic for things electronic. Bus signs, paper-towel dispensers, road signs, even billboards!

Posted by: Carol Kujawa on December 11, 2007 08:29 AM

2. Oh please.

I've been busy buying old black rotary phones from the 50's. God, they have a terrific ring.

I will NEVER be without a land line.... and if you have kids you shouldn't either. Not only because the mobiles don't work without power, but how many times has the darn thing rung/chirped/beeped...AN NO ONE CAN FIND IT?

Not for me, thanks for asking.

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on December 11, 2007 08:49 AM

3. It's been about 3 years for us without a land line, and we don't miss it a bit. Our phones worked just fine when the power went out. We just charged it in the car or at work. No solicitors or surveys, ever.

When our kids are old enough for their own phones, we'll add them to our plan. We'll probably get phones with GPS tracking too. They'll complain I'm sure, because ditching school won't be as easy as it used to be :)

Posted by: Palouse on December 11, 2007 09:02 AM

4. Another thing about mobile phones: they make you stupid.

"What's Johnny's phone number? No dear it's NOT #2... it has more digits than that."

Dear One wanted to program the one mobile we have: NOT ON YOUR LIFE.

I asked Dear One, my cell number... the cell numbers of the boys... best pal... work...

The silence was delicious. :)

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on December 11, 2007 09:07 AM

5. I have a cellphone but I love my landline and will NEVER give up my land line. Since the calls don't get dropped/fuzzy/etc---ever, I still prefer land lines for everything when possible. I don't know--I just like the CLEAR, DEPENDABLE sound. Also paying attention to the studies which show physical problems from long-term cellphone use.

Posted by: Michele on December 11, 2007 09:18 AM

6. You know, in thinking about it, we don't get phone solicitations... maybe once a month, if that.

I think there are 3 reasons we're left alone:
-We have an unpublished number (not unlisted, unPUBLISHED... we pay extra for it, but it's worth every penny);
-Our phone number is blocked when we make calls;
- We're in the National Do Not Call Registry.

The one chink in our armour is the darn fax line: we get junk faxs almost every day and none of what we did above seems to stop it. I suspect it's because used for business and it's on business cards, promotional brochures and the company website.

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on December 11, 2007 09:23 AM

7. I've got an argument against doing so. Well okay, it's more of an argument against cell phone providers. Actually it's contained in the post:

$100 dollars a month for cell phone service for you and your spouse

$100 a month? Are you serious? That's insane. I don't actually have a land line—I've been a happy user of VOIP for over four years—but dang, $100 a month for phones?

Americans sure have been well-trained by the mobile phone providers, to just accept that as normal. I pay less than $20 a month for my phone service, long distance, voice mail, call waiting, callerID, and three-way calling included. You can have your cell phones. Bleh.

Posted by: The Tim on December 11, 2007 09:26 AM

8. I think this is definitely an age thing. Those of us who grew up without cell phones will definitely have a lot harder time giving up the landline whereas those of us who are used to them, having been exposed to them in our formative years, can't imagine why we'd pay an extra $50-$100 on a landline, especially when you consider free long distance, free roaming and phone number portability that comes with a cell phone and not with a landline. I've been landline free for over a decade now and wouldn't think of going back. Ragnar does bring up a good point though. I'm not sure I'd use the word "stupid" but as with all technology (spell check for instance) our further reliance on it makes us less able to do things for ourselves. But then again, who amongst us can ride a horse, let alone shoe one? It would be interesting to do a study on the mood of the populace surrounding the change over from buggies to "horseless carriages" or telegraph to telephone? Where there people exclaiming "no one knows morse code anymore!" or "I'll never give up my horse and buggy. What if the car breaks down?!" (Even more true, considering that cars in the early days were no where near as reliable as today, especially with the poor condition of the roads early on).

The most troubling thing about this article though is the fact that the survey was carried out by the tax payer funded CDC. First of all, what does this have to do with health (I think we put away all the hysteria about brain cancer awhile back and this article definitely doesn't mention any health concerns). Second of all, what does it really have to do with anything? Sure, it's fascinating stuff but not fascinating enough for my federal tax dollars.

Posted by: WarmFuzzyPuppies on December 11, 2007 09:34 AM

9. Yes Tim, but can you take your phone anywhere you go in the WORLD (and check email, sports scores and the traffic report not to mention read the latest SP post)

Posted by: WarmFuzzyPuppies on December 11, 2007 09:46 AM

10. TIM
What is the name of your service? All that for $20.

Posted by: SIDNEY on December 11, 2007 10:06 AM

11. Even though I have a cellphone and still prefer land lines, I do remember when I was a kid that I used to think "Wouldn't it be neat if there was a phone you could carry around with you?" I'm guessing everyone else thought the same thing 30-40 years ago.

Posted by: Michele on December 11, 2007 10:20 AM

12. #7 - If I never left the house, I would be fine with a land line or VOIP. But since we do leave frequently, we like the portability and convenience of cell phones. Ever tried to find someone at a crowded festival or football game? Ever needed directions while driving? Or need to call someone from the grocery store? Or to call your spouse who is also out of the house? Cell phones are indispensable for things like that, and worth the extra cost IMO.

Besides, not having to pay for long distance or a landline saves us about $40 a month on average, which offsets the roughly $90 a month for two cell phones. That extra $50 is worth every penny.

Posted by: Palouse on December 11, 2007 10:29 AM

13. WFP, Actually yes I can take my phone with me anywhere in the WORLD. Anywhere that has internet has my phone service. Just plug the ethernet into the Cisco ATA, and boom, whatever phone I plug in is now my home phone. They even make devices that do basically the same thing over WiFi.

Sidney, I use Vonage with the Residential Basic plan, which is limited to 500 minutes of long distance per month (far more than I usually use). For $10 more you can get the Residential Premium plan, which gives you unlimited long distance (including Canada). When I signed up I was paying that much just for the 500 minutes. They actually lowered their prices.

I'm a bit worried about Vonage's continued viability though, because AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint have all been suing their brains out with worthless patents. Have I mentioned that I hate the cell phone companies (except T-Mobile)?

Posted by: The Tim on December 11, 2007 10:29 AM

14. Oh I should clarify. When I said "they make devices that do basically the same thing over WiFi," I meant fully-integrated phones. Search for "WiFi VOIP Phone" and you can see many examples of such devices, designed to work with Skype, Vonage, and many others.

Posted by: The Tim on December 11, 2007 10:33 AM

15. Ever tried to find someone at a crowded festival or football game?
If I have to find someone, we meet at a pre-arranged location, or bring our cheapo two-way radios, which I don't have to pay a monthly fee to use.

Ever needed directions while driving?
I've got that one covered without having to pay a monthly fee, as well.

Or need to call someone from the grocery store?
Need to? No.

Or to call your spouse who is also out of the house?
I wonder how people ever got along before cell phones. Oh yeah, patience.

Cell phones are indispensable for things like that, and worth the extra cost IMO.
That's fine and dandy, and more power to you. If it's worth the cost to you, then great. However, for me, the unnecessary added "convenience" of a cell phone is not worth that much to me.

Don't get me wrong, I love cell phones. They're cool and nifty and make it far easier to communicate. I'm just not interested in being held hostage to a huge monthly bill for the "service" that is provided by the carriers.

Posted by: The Tim on December 11, 2007 10:52 AM

16. I carry and use a cell phone. I have no problem with that. Our 2 oldest kids only have cell service, although one did get VOIP with his internet/cable service. I will be the very first to admit I have no idea what it is, how it works or how to use it.

My problem is that my Dear One would be happy to take my beloved OLD landline phones and replace them with those cordless things. Those darn cordless phones are like husbands and 5 yr olds: you can never find them when you actually need them and when the power goes out, so do they.

Here's the problem with the car vs horse-buggy anaology. Cars ARE an improvement: they take you where horses can't or won't go quicker and conveniently. The refrigerator is another good example of new technology far better than old: who want's an icebox?!

BUT, not all new technology is better. Yes it is sometimes more convenient. Yes cordless and cell is cool and small and portable... but those simply don't trump the DEPENDABILITY factor.

I KNOW my landline works wherever I plug it in. The cordless has annoying little messages such as "handset to far from base"... well ugh, what good is it then? The cell service works great, except where it doesn't: like in the family room or on Peasely Canyon Road near Weyerhauser.

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on December 11, 2007 11:00 AM

17. I have a cell phone, but it lives in my car only, and its purpose is for emergencies, running late calls, etc. Cheapest plan and cheapest phone {although I have had very expensive ones and plans that I hated} possible. I really do prefer my land land, for a two very mundane reasons. One, the land line phone has always had far better sound. Two, the land line in the kitchen is by far the easiest to cradle between chin and shoulder so cooking or cleaning is possible while having a conversation. Multi-tasking rules!!!

Posted by: katomar on December 11, 2007 11:25 AM

18. This is kind of moot since I move overseas in 24 days, but here I haven't had a contract for 3 years. I bought my phones (including my new Samsung i760 Smartphone) from eBay. I run a month-to-month with Verizon. They hate it, but will do it. No annual commitment as long as you don't get the "discounted" phone through them.

In China, you simply buy minutes ahead of time - that's the only plan you get. And you get a text message when you're down to a preset limit (that you set). Can log on to China Telecom's website, buy another block of minutes, and away you go.

Fear of a contract or commitment isn't enough of a reason to not have a cell phone, in this day and age. No need to sign an agreement, you can get by with month-to-month (I run around 750 minutes a month, probably 100 texts and pay $60. Not bad for a phone that goes with me everywhere).

Posted by: Edmonds Dan on December 11, 2007 11:37 AM

19. So long land line! VOIP here, and after the downfall of Sunrocket VOIP, I was without a "home phone" for a month or so. No loss. Some voip plans are so inexpensive, I hardly notice the bill.

It is an age thing.
My mother will always call on the "home phone".

My in-laws, 16 years younger than my mom will try the home phone first, then the mobile.

My friends in their 30s will call a mobile phone first.

Friends in their 20s will text me first.

If the mobile signal was full strength, I would drop the "land line".

Posted by: Craig in Puyallup on December 11, 2007 11:48 AM

20. Hey all you parents of teens. Here's an advantage to the land lines and a (oh I can't believe I'm saying it) CORDED phone. Make the teens use the corded phone in the home. No sneaking around, they usually stay within ear shot and to the parent that answers the phone, you have a good idea of who's calling. All those little things that have parents staying in touch.
Kind of old fashioned isn't it?

Posted by: PC on December 11, 2007 11:55 AM

21. A funny (and oh so sad) story: I had a new cell phone and had to take a sudden flight for an emergency situation. The flight attendant gave the speech about turning off all electronic devices... I had to call my son and ask him how to turn off my phone.

I blame it on being flustered.

That's my story and I'm sticking with it!

Did I happen to mention, I hate change? ;)

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on December 11, 2007 12:10 PM

22. That's great if it works for you TheTim, but those are just a few examples. During last year's storm, my wife's car skidded on ice and hit a guard rail. She was able to get the car to the side of the road, but it was not drivable. With her cellphone, she called a tow truck, and called me and all turned out well. That is just one example of why it's worth the cost.

I've reported accidents from it, and also called to let my family know if I'm stuck and traffic because of an accident so they don't wonder where I am. I've even reported an armed robbery in progress (that was rather scary). I check to see when movies are playing, and make dinner reservations while traveling, and I don't need to find a wi-fi signal to do it. Some things in life are worth the extra cost - cell phones are definitely one of those things.

Posted by: Palouse on December 11, 2007 12:29 PM

23. I have not used a land line for 10 years and absolutely loved it.... until now. We had a baby and decided that it is worth the cost (with Qwest we could get it down to $12 a month) to ensure we can contact emergency services during a power outage or if the cellphone is being flakey or the battery is discharged (As happens occasionally)

Of course, after looking at the first bill, it was over $25 a month... a > 50% tax rate. Beautiful.

Posted by: Ian on December 11, 2007 12:43 PM

24. I'm still waiting for Bruce or Travis to tell us what Ron Paul's stand on cell phones is and why it would make him the best President!.....

Posted by: katomar on December 11, 2007 12:44 PM

25. Different strokes for different folks. More power to you, Palouse.

I might end up getting one of those pre-paid phones (like one that will cost me less than $100 per year) soon for emergency situations like you describe, but for the most part, I can't justify the high cost of cell phone service for the incremental convenience a cell phone provides.

Posted by: The Tim on December 11, 2007 12:48 PM

26. Oh man Ian, I remember having that same exact experience with Verizon local service. Signed up for the $12/month basic plan, got the first bill and it was twice that. Plus, they had so kindly tacked on a $90 "installation" fee, which I was also not made aware of ahead of time. The apartment was totally wired already, and installation consisted of someone activating the line in the computer system.

This is why I was a Vonage early adopter. I really despise the phone companies—both mobile and land-line.

Posted by: The Tim on December 11, 2007 12:55 PM

27. Oooh Katomar! What a trouble maker you are!

Posted by: Ragnar Danneskjold on December 11, 2007 01:03 PM

28. Guilty :)

Posted by: katomar on December 11, 2007 01:06 PM

29. It seems a lot of you folks have forgotten the total collapse of the cell system in the Seattle area after the last earthquake....

Posted by: rbb on December 11, 2007 02:15 PM

30. rbb, as I recall, the land lines were equally hosed after the earthquake. Right after it stopped, I emailed my parents down in the Portland/Vancouver area, and they told me that all of their coworkers with children in Seattle had been unable to get in touch with them, by cell phone or landline.

Score one for the internet.

Posted by: The Tim on December 11, 2007 02:27 PM

31. Tim,

I wouldn't think that dial-up internet would fare any better than land line.

Posted by: RBW on December 11, 2007 03:24 PM

32. Eric,

I hate to inform you but they call the cell numbers too. It is only a matter of time. Resistance is futile.

Posted by: pbj on December 11, 2007 03:47 PM

33. As someone with family in other countries, cellphone will just eat me alive if I ditch the landline. You can find a long distance provider with very cheap rate on international calls to certain countries. With cell, my minutes would be used by both incoming and outgoing calls (even with toll-free numbers).

Posted by: DopioLover on December 11, 2007 03:48 PM

34. I got through after the earthquake using a cell phone. It took a couple of tries, but it worked.

We have relatives overseas and in Canada as well, but we use VOIP for that - it's free. Also do a fair amount of video calls using IM with distant relatives. Comcast internet is another family luxury that we bite the bullet and pay, because it's worth it. I use it for work too, so that offsets some of the cost.

Posted by: Palouse on December 11, 2007 04:02 PM

35. So I'm guessing Tim's conclusion should be:

"Score one for the CABLE internet".

Posted by: RBW on December 11, 2007 07:50 PM

36. Haven't had a land line in over 5 years. Even when calling from someone's office, I just use my cell. So.....do you still have to dial "9" to get an "outside" line?

Posted by: Danny on December 11, 2007 07:52 PM

37. Some of us live in places where cell coverage is weak.

I'd consider giving up my landline phone if I got good cell coverage up here.

Posted by: pudge on December 11, 2007 08:42 PM

38. Um yeah (RBW @ 35), I guess I thought that non-dial-up went without saying. Speaking of dial-up internet, I thought this video (yes, it's CollegeHumor, but trust me, it's tasteful and amusing) was a hilarious reminder of the bad old days of modems.

Also worth mentioning (to relate it back to the main post) is the fact that I never get solicitations on our VoIP number, either.

Posted by: The Tim on December 11, 2007 08:56 PM

39. Hey pudge. Love your work over at Slashdot. Cool to see you hanging out here so often.

Posted by: The Tim on December 11, 2007 09:04 PM

40. Yes, I want to ditch my hardline phone that runs through EMI shielded and bonded cables and spew all my personal secrets and conversations, unecrypted, into the air! AWESOME!!! HEY! Maybe we can all get 802.11g wireless through the city and send all of our packet data out unecrypted too! I'm buying a radio scanner and a packet sniffer...

Of course, now would be a silly time to point out that cell phone networks all use landlines....

Disclaimer, I work for a cell service provider (on of the big 3) but began schooling as a good old fashioned hardline switch technician, then moved into outside plant cabling...

Posted by: Aaron on December 11, 2007 09:49 PM

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