Making the Switch: Ditching Your Landline for Cell Service

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores the experiences and opinions of participants regarding the decision to switch from a landline to relying solely on cell phone service for home communication. Various aspects of this transition, including concerns about emergency services, personal preferences, and financial implications, are discussed.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses nervousness about dropping their landline due to concerns about 911 accessibility, while appreciating the potential savings from eliminating a phone bill.
  • Another participant shares that their siblings have successfully transitioned to cell phones without complaints.
  • One participant mentions being forced to maintain both services due to lack of cell service at home, highlighting the high monthly costs associated with both landline and cell phone bills.
  • A participant recounts their experience of having a landline for a year but ultimately reinstating it due to communication issues with friends and family.
  • Several participants discuss the functionality of 911 services on cell phones, with some noting that GPS capabilities can help locate callers in emergencies.
  • One participant mentions the annoyance of talking on cell phones due to delays and prefers using a landline despite the dual billing.
  • Another participant highlights the importance of having a car charger for their cell phone, sharing a personal experience of being stranded with a dead phone.
  • One participant notes the security concerns associated with using cell phones for sensitive information, citing a friend's experience with identity theft.
  • Several participants express satisfaction with using VoIP services like Vonage, appreciating the cost-effectiveness and features it offers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ among participants regarding the necessity and practicality of maintaining a landline versus relying solely on cell phones. Some participants express satisfaction with their cell phone service, while others highlight challenges and concerns associated with the switch.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and preferences, reflecting a range of circumstances that influence their decisions about phone service. The discussion includes considerations of emergency services, communication habits, and financial aspects of phone plans.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to members of the consultant community who are contemplating the switch from landline to cell phone service or those seeking to understand the varied experiences of others in similar situations.

MomToEli
Messages
1,003
Okay, how about this one ...

Anyone drop their land line and only use cell service for their home phone? No 911 makes me a tad nervous, but not having two phone bills - well, that idea ROCKS!
 
I only have a land line but all my sisters (3) only have cell phones no land lines and they dont have a complaint about it.
 
I would only go to my cell but I have no cell service at home so I am forced to do both. My bill for the 2 plus my long distance bill is around $136 each month. I can't wait to move and only have a cell phone!!!!!
 
We did get rid of our land line for about a year. While it was nice, there were a lot of people that just didn't know how to get ahold of us. We do have it back since we had dial-up for a while & probably won't get rid of it. My in-laws live just up the road & about every day they had someone calling asking them how to get ahold of us.

On a plus side, we didn't get any telemarketers. On a down-side, every form/application/etc that you fill out & have to list a phone number for means that your cell number is on the telemarkter list now unless you update it on the do not call registry.
 
You have 911 with a cell phone. The only thing is, if you can't talk, they can't find you.We use Vonage, and it's the same thing with them. We have to be able to tell the 911 operators where we are because they can't find us like they could with a land line.I don't think it's that big an issue.
 
jenniferp417 said:
You have 911 with a cell phone. The only thing is, if you can't talk, they can't find you.
This is not true for a cell phone--they have GPS built in for 911 to find you. As long as you don't make another call after you dial 911, they can find you. My phone prompts me to not call anyone else after 911 is dialed (I've only had to dial it once, but it worked!)DH and I have been without a land line for 5 or 6 years now--we love it. However, we're undecided if we'll just get a third phone or get a land line when DS gets older. We're both teachers and don't want to be listed anyway, so this works out well--we don't want people to find us! :p
 
Oh, I didn't realize the GPS was that widespread on cell phones. I have a cheap prepaid so I don't know if mine will do that - and I don't want to call 911 to check it out.
 
I don't really like talking on cell phones because of the delay. It's annoying, and I'm glad I have a land line. I just don't like paying the two phone bills. We do use the cell phone for all long distance calls.
 
We have both a land line and a cell phone.... I don't' want certain people to have my home number... and I don't' want certain people to have my cell phone number either.
 
My only other thought about only going with a cell phone is that twice in the last 4 years, we've been without power for more than 8 days. I had a cordless so that died as soon as the battery was gone but I pluged in an old phone I still had and it worked. I don't have a car charger (should get one) for my cell phone so as soon as it died I would have been out of luck. I guess nothing is perfect! :)
 
mommyhugz1978 said:
We have both a land line and a cell phone.... I don't' want certain people to have my home number... and I don't' want certain people to have my cell phone number either.
This is my thoughts exactly!! We have the internet phone and it's a real deal!
I pay 27 for my phone every month regardless where I call and how long I talk!:rolleyes: :thumbup: :p :D
 
Car chargers are a must-have for me. I've been broken down on the side of the road with a dead phone and what's the good in that? :(
 
PamperedinAvon said:
This is not true for a cell phone--they have GPS built in for 911 to find you. As long as you don't make another call after you dial 911, they can find you. My phone prompts me to not call anyone else after 911 is dialed (I've only had to dial it once, but it worked!)
You can turn the GPS off on most phones. I have it turned off on mine because I don't want Big Brother tracking me. The only time I'd call 911 is for someone else, when I'd be able to stay on the line anyway.
 
One caution on cell phones - since they are not secure any information (credit card/social security#) can be intercepted. To me that's a very big draw back. I was alerted to this after a friend mine had her information stolen. Fortunately they caught it almost immediately but were warned by their credit card company never to use a cell for that information.Joanne
 
I used to think a car charger was a must, but my piece of c... car's charger plug ins don't work! I hate it because I don't always remember to plug it in at home and the battery seems to die right when I've left home rather than when I'm almost home. GRRRR!
 
Jae, my parents have cell phones and don't have car chargers. What they do is make charging the phones part of their "coming home from work" routine - walk in, sit down the purse, plug in the phone. Their phones are always plugged in unless they're using them. Might shorten the battery life but this way the phones are charged and they know where they are. Might be worth a shot for you.
 
I use the car charger way more than the in-house charger......because I mostly just use my cell phone when I am on the go.

We have Vonage, and from what I understand, 911 with Vonage works alot like cell phone 911. I LOVE having Vonage though! 24.95 ($30 with taxes, etc..) and that is for EVERYTHING! No more long distance charges. I can call any host or guest from a show at any time and never have to worry about the charges. DH really needs a cell phone for work, and so we share a plan - and most of our cell phone plan is for being able to 2-way each other (well, and he needs to 2-way alot at work). But we have a limited plan - both cell phones together are only $55.
 
YES, Vonage is WONDERFUL. I absolutely love it.
 
jenniferp417 said:
Jae, my parents have cell phones and don't have car chargers. What they do is make charging the phones part of their "coming home from work" routine - walk in, sit down the purse, plug in the phone. Their phones are always plugged in unless they're using them. Might shorten the battery life but this way the phones are charged and they know where they are. Might be worth a shot for you.
My "come home routine" is drop the purse and run to the bathroom. I always have to go so bad! Then I check voice mail and e-mail. I try to remember to plug in the phone, but the computer is always calling, right after the bathroom.:)
 
What about dropping your purse near the computer en route to the bathroom? And keep your charger there?
 
Sounds good but it's not en route!
 
My DH works for the landline phone company so of course we have ours. I really don't like using my cell phone unless it's for mobile to mobile because I end up running it up too much. I'll always keep my landline for that reason alone. Also, I like the fact that I can talk an have a clear signal on my landline. My cell phone doesn't pick up too great where I live.
 
chefann said:
You can turn the GPS off on most phones. I have it turned off on mine because I don't want Big Brother tracking me.

Yup, I have GPS turned off for everyone except 911. Nobody else can just randomly track me. :thumbup:
 
I used a cell phone as my primary phone through college, and I couldn't be happier when I finally settled in to one place after graduating.....because I have a landline. Well, Vonage anyway....it is so nice to talk on a regular phone. I swear that cell phones give me headaches if I talk a whole lot. Although now that I have Bluetooth, I guess my headset would work pretty well around my house.I've had Vonage for over a year now, and they offered for me to pay ahead for the next 12 months for just over $200, so I did, what a bargain!!Also, I have a 911 feature setup with my vonage so that they do know my home address.
 
I leave my charger at work plugged in... hardly anyone calls me during the day on my cell phone so I always charge my phone at work.
We do not have a land line...sometimes I wish we did. I have a cell phone as well as my husband. But a land line would be nice for those that do not have our cell phone numbers as well as an address listing in the phone book. We miss alot of events due to the fact people do not have an address or phone number for us.
 
I used to only have a cell phone, for about 3 years. Until I got the digital cable, internet. It cost more just to have digital cable and internet so I got the Comcast Triple Play (with phone line) and its cheaper then just having the two.

Basically I can survive on the cell phone alone, but I have designated the landline for "business" purposed, and can write it off and save even more money!!

Hope that helps.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of switching from a landline to a cell phone service?

Switching from a landline to a cell phone service offers several benefits, including increased mobility, cost savings, and access to advanced features. With a cell phone, you can take calls anywhere, reducing the need for a home phone. Additionally, many cell phone plans are more affordable than traditional landline services, and they often come with features like texting, internet access, and apps that enhance communication.

Will I lose my home phone number if I switch to cell service?

No, you can often keep your existing home phone number when switching to a cell phone service. This process is known as number porting. You will need to check with your new cell service provider to ensure they support number porting and follow their specific instructions to transfer your number.

How do I ensure good cell phone reception at home?

To ensure good cell phone reception at home, consider the following tips: choose a cell phone provider with strong coverage in your area, use a signal booster if necessary, and position yourself near windows or higher floors where reception is typically better. Additionally, some providers offer Wi-Fi calling, which allows you to make calls over your home internet connection, improving call quality.

What should I consider when choosing a cell phone plan?

When choosing a cell phone plan, consider factors such as your budget, data usage, and the number of lines you need. Evaluate different providers and their coverage in your area, as well as the features included in the plan, such as unlimited texting, international calling, and mobile hotspot capabilities. It's also wise to read customer reviews and check for any hidden fees.

Are there any drawbacks to switching from a landline to a cell phone?

Yes, there are some potential drawbacks to consider when switching from a landline to a cell phone. These may include limited battery life, potential for dropped calls in areas with poor reception, and the need to manage your phone's data usage. Additionally, some people may miss the reliability of a landline during power outages, as cell phones rely on battery power.

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