Thu Oct 27, 2022, 09:43 AM

pstokely (10,321 posts)

If you still have a landline, why?

cause you have it printed on your business cards for the past 40 years? a common reason why people still have their AOL accounts

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90 replies	Author	Time	Post
If you still have a landline, why? (Original post)	pstokely	Oct 2022	OP
Having an alarm system on your home that notifies PD/FD is a decent reason	Hugh_Lebowski	Oct 2022	#1
We have ADT	shrike3	Oct 2022	#64
I belong to a telephone coop. DSL and tv need landline.	LakeArenal	Oct 2022	#2
People in the boonies still do. Our wireless service at home is abysmal.	kysrsoze	Oct 2022	#3
I'm hearing impaired, and I hear better over a landline.	tblue37	Oct 2022	#4
Same here	PatSeg	Oct 2022	#58
I'm also hearing impaired and can hear better over a landline.	area51	Oct 2022	#74
Someone posted on here not long ago that they had lost their cell phone	Greybnk48	Oct 2022	#5
That's us. We keep our cells for family and close friends -- landline gets the spam.	Nay	Oct 2022	#33
I don't keep my phone in my pocket either, but we have handsets for the landline	Greybnk48	Oct 2022	#75
I agree that it is easier to hear on a landline; I don't even have hearing loss and have	Nay	Oct 2022	#89
This message was self-deleted by its author	Greybnk48	Oct 2022	#76
We're the opposite...	StarryNite	Oct 2022	#67
We did away with ours around 10 years ago.	Emile	Oct 2022	#6
My landline has so much buzz that V can't fix	bucolic_frolic	Oct 2022	#7
Why exactly does this bother you?	ripcord	Oct 2022	#8
doesn't bother me, just wondering?	pstokely	Oct 2022	#11
It clearly does bother you, your comments are pretty clear.	Coventina	Oct 2022	#48
...	Disaffected	Oct 2022	#50
say that to	Conjuay	Oct 2022	#71
Thank you. This elderly person was also offended. EOM	Scottie Mom	Oct 2022	#80
It was the way you asked it.	AngryOldDem	Oct 2022	#88
I live in a bigger house,	JenniferJuniper	Oct 2022	#9
My sister has one, because she and her husband live in a heavily wooded area.	bearsfootball516	Oct 2022	#10
Cell phone coverage can be "spotty".	zanana1	Oct 2022	#12
Poor cell signal	markodochartaigh	Oct 2022	#13
I have a landline because I do not want a smart phone.	fightforfreedom	Oct 2022	#14
We have one, mostly for my husband	hauckeye	Oct 2022	#15
My wife doesnt trust cell phones.	Xoan	Oct 2022	#16
I have a landline because I want one.	DURHAM D	Oct 2022	#17
Because I like the audio quality and	yorkster	Oct 2022	#18
Same here	Rebl2	Oct 2022	#24
I have one because it is part of internet and cable package.	MLAA	Oct 2022	#19
Mine's part of my Internet package, as well.	GoCubsGo	Oct 2022	#37
so i have a customer..home office....1 number with 7 extentions	dembotoz	Oct 2022	#20
No, and I never get polled.	ananda	Oct 2022	#21
I get polls in texts	Sympthsical	Oct 2022	#30
Crappy cell service in my house	Freddie	Oct 2022	#22
Backup, comfort and decoration.	Torchlight	Oct 2022	#23
Still have home phone service, but haven't had a phone on it in years.	Chainfire	Oct 2022	#25
I like my land line	LetMyPeopleVote	Oct 2022	#26
I've received two poll surveys on my cell phone this election season.	Elessar Zappa	Oct 2022	#35
LOL for AOL - our digital landline service	Backseat Driver	Oct 2022	#27
having a metal roof and bad cell service initially	HAB911	Oct 2022	#28
Multiple	ForgedCrank	Oct 2022	#29
Safety. In general wireless (radio) delivery is still inherently less reliable than	Cognitive_Resonance	Oct 2022	#31
Because I feel like it.	GoCubsGo	Oct 2022	#32
Part of the package	NowISeetheLight	Oct 2022	#34
Because my cell service often sucks.	Autumn	Oct 2022	#36
I had an AT&Y landline for 30 years they switched over to wireless and the phone rarely worked	kimbutgar	Oct 2022	#38
I like to walk away from my phone. I don't like to carry one with me.	Midnight Writer	Oct 2022	#39
I just don't wanna be one of those people glued to their phones while the world goes on around them.	CTyankee	Oct 2022	#40
Yep. I just bought a cell phone and it sits in my purse.	shrike3	Oct 2022	#65
+1	llmart	Oct 2022	#72
Non Existent Cell Service	RobinA	Oct 2022	#41
I only use my cellphone for emergencies	FakeNoose	Oct 2022	#42
I don't have a landline anymore	Genki Hikari	Oct 2022	#43
I still have one so I don't have to bother other people with	blueinredohio	Oct 2022	#44
Earthquakes. (n/t)	Iggo	Oct 2022	#45
Sound quality and reliability when	moonscape	Oct 2022	#46
Because I want to	Groundhawg	Oct 2022	#47
The landline will work when power goes out and the battery in the cellphone has died.	Kaleva	Oct 2022	#49
Long story, short: we live in a reception hole	MissMillie	Oct 2022	#51
Answering on behalf of my elderly mother:	W_HAMILTON	Oct 2022	#52
Same situation here with 80 year old spouse plus we have 5 phones in house and basement hooked up	wishstar	Oct 2022	#56
For the same reasons I have satellite TV.	MurrayDelph	Oct 2022	#53
It feels good in my hand and when held to my ear	Polybius	Oct 2022	#54
I forgot, cell voice quality sucks	HAB911	Oct 2022	#55
Still have a landline, for all of the reasons	marybourg	Oct 2022	#57
because it only cost me $2.50/month, and I like having 911 support	krawhitham	Oct 2022	#59
First off, a true landline is not the same as internet phone service.	Native	Oct 2022	#60
Voice-over-IP phone here, going out over a physical line. Like others who responded, we're...	keep_left	Oct 2022	#61
We have no cellphone signal where I live.	musicblind	Oct 2022	#62
Because I want to? Because it's not a big deal?	shrike3	Oct 2022	#63
In our town, there was an infamous 911 call	Algernon Moncrieff	Oct 2022	#66
I hate my cell phone. I'm kind of technically challenged. LOL.	Vinca	Oct 2022	#68
Business card for 20 years, yeah..but	Maeve	Oct 2022	#69
Yes	ellie	Oct 2022	#70
From the way you posed your question...	llmart	Oct 2022	#73
My landline conked out.	VGNonly	Oct 2022	#77
I prefer the clarity of sound of a landline; I like the ease of it - I don't have to turn it on or	Midwestern Democrat	Oct 2022	#78
Because I have had it for over 26 years and that's how family calls.	Baltimike	Oct 2022	#79
I've had internet phone service for at least 10 years and I wanted it because I could keep	Raftergirl	Oct 2022	#81
Just in case you're not aware, the way you asked was 100% insolent.	Niagara	Oct 2022	#82
Terrible cell phone service	Meowmee	Oct 2022	#83
It's part of my cable/internet package	edhopper	Oct 2022	#84
Yes, We Have One	ProfessorGAC	Oct 2022	#85
My mother cannot operate a smartphone. She can barely use the landline.	Earth-shine	Oct 2022	#86
One reason.	AngryOldDem	Oct 2022	#87
I WANT to have one but AT&T now charges over $110/month for a true landline.	Ursus Rex	Oct 2022	#90

Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 09:46 AM

Hugh_Lebowski (30,418 posts)

1. Having an alarm system on your home that notifies PD/FD is a decent reason

Older alarm systems, that's all they support.

Landline also has better 911 service.

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Response to Hugh_Lebowski (Reply #1)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 03:54 PM

shrike3 (1,984 posts)

64. We have ADT

Given we've had burglaries in the past, having an alarm is a must. Local police are great -- we're lucky. Something goes wrong for any reason, they are right there.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 09:47 AM

LakeArenal (25,354 posts)

2. I belong to a telephone coop. DSL and tv need landline.

Get rebate check every year.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 09:48 AM

kysrsoze (5,798 posts)

3. People in the boonies still do. Our wireless service at home is abysmal.

That’s usually why people keep a landline. We live in a nice area and have gig fiber, but it’s hilly so service is extremely spotty throughout town. This the the case all over southern California, and anywhere it’s not flat. Plus it costs next to nothing these days.

I think wireless in less populated areas has gotten better, but it’s still sparse in some places.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 09:49 AM

tblue37 (57,324 posts)

4. I'm hearing impaired, and I hear better over a landline.

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Response to tblue37 (Reply #4)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 01:24 PM

PatSeg (44,573 posts)

58. Same here

Also I can't talk for a long time on a cell phone as it really bothers my ear.

The signal where we live isn't great, so it is good to have the landline. Also it is the number I give to people who aren't close friends and family.

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Response to tblue37 (Reply #4)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 05:33 PM

area51 (10,797 posts)

74. I'm also hearing impaired and can hear better over a landline.

Also, I live near the Gulf Coast, and if a hurricane comes in and there's a power outage, the landline will still work.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 09:50 AM

Greybnk48 (9,837 posts)

5. Someone posted on here not long ago that they had lost their cell phone

and were thankful for their landline so they could make the necessary calls regarding the loss.

We use our landline for running the house-hold, orders online, etc. Our cells are for friends and doctor apts, dentist, haircuts and the like. Most spam and garbage calls go to the landline.

Also, we've had that number since the late 70's, it's listed, and old friends know how to contact us.

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Response to Greybnk48 (Reply #5)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:33 AM

Nay (12,040 posts)

33. That's us. We keep our cells for family and close friends -- landline gets the spam.

We also are not the folks who carry our cell phones around with us in the house, so the kids know to call us on the landline so we can just pick up the extension. They've tried to get us to carry the phone at all times, but . . . we don't.

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Response to Nay (Reply #33)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 05:54 PM

Greybnk48 (9,837 posts)

75. I don't keep my phone in my pocket either, but we have handsets for the landline

all over the house, just like you! I can hear better on the landline too. Someone else mentioned that.

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Response to Greybnk48 (Reply #75)

Fri Oct 28, 2022, 08:49 AM

Nay (12,040 posts)

89. I agree that it is easier to hear on a landline; I don't even have hearing loss and have

no trouble hearing on the landline, but find the cell is often iffy. There's quite a bit of difference in the two.

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Response to Nay (Reply #33)

Greybnk48 This message was self-deleted by its author.

Response to Greybnk48 (Reply #5)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 04:06 PM

StarryNite (8,603 posts)

67. We're the opposite...

Family and close friends usually call our landline. Cell is for texting and calling people we don't want to give our landline number to. I have used our landline to locate where I laid my cell phone. It's hard to misplace something that's hardwired to the wall. LOL We also have DSL which we need the landline for.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 09:51 AM

Emile (10,549 posts)

6. We did away with ours around 10 years ago.

Nobody called that number anyways. Everytime it rained we would have horrible static for days.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 09:51 AM

bucolic_frolic (35,409 posts)

7. My landline has so much buzz that V can't fix

and yes cell coverage varies.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 09:51 AM

ripcord (3,675 posts)

8. Why exactly does this bother you?

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Response to ripcord (Reply #8)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 09:53 AM

pstokely (10,321 posts)

11. doesn't bother me, just wondering?

even geezers are dropping their landlines

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Response to pstokely (Reply #11)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 11:35 AM

Coventina (25,047 posts)

48. It clearly does bother you, your comments are pretty clear.

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Response to Coventina (Reply #48)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 11:48 AM

Disaffected (3,343 posts)

50. ...

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Response to pstokely (Reply #11)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 04:32 PM

Conjuay (327 posts)

71. say that to

this “geezer,” and you might have a landline bonked across your head.

Would YOU like to be called names?

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Response to Conjuay (Reply #71)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 07:59 PM

Scottie Mom (5,007 posts)

80. Thank you. This elderly person was also offended. EOM

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Response to pstokely (Reply #11)

Fri Oct 28, 2022, 06:01 AM

AngryOldDem (13,950 posts)

88. It was the way you asked it.

And you doubled-down with “geezer”. Stop with the ageism, implied or otherwise.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 09:52 AM

JenniferJuniper (4,318 posts)

9. I live in a bigger house,

and don't necessarily always have my mobile attached to my hip. So I keep the landline phones around in the event of an emergency so I don't have to go looking for my cell phone.

I had a house fire about 20 years ago that started on the outside of the house. Phone lines were burned before I could get to a phone and in a panic I couldn't find my little tiny cell phone. Had to run to the neighbors who were fortunately home. Since then I like the idea of a back up either way.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 09:53 AM

bearsfootball516 (6,341 posts)

10. My sister has one, because she and her husband live in a heavily wooded area.

Cell service is really spotty, so a landline is the only way they can make sure they have a connection if they need to call someone.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 09:54 AM

zanana1 (5,549 posts)

12. Cell phone coverage can be "spotty".

When I call from my landline to another landline, the reception is clear. There can be gaps in cellphone transmissions.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 09:55 AM

markodochartaigh (393 posts)

13. Poor cell signal

I live in a semi-rural area about eight miles outside a prosperous South Florida beach town. The cellphone coverage here is very poor. Letters have been written to the FCC with the only result being that one carrier literally told the FCC that the complainant could keep their plan knowing that coverage would not improve or they could drop their plan. Also, for many work from home jobs a landline is required, especially if you don't have broadband internet (fiber, not dsl "broadband" ). I should have had a landline installed when I moved in. I may get it soon.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 09:56 AM

fightforfreedom (4,215 posts)

14. I have a landline because I do not want a smart phone.

I have never owned a smart phone. I have a Mac computer at home and that's all I need.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 09:57 AM

hauckeye (548 posts)

15. We have one, mostly for my husband

He doesn’t have a cell phone and doesn’t want one. When he has to use mine he has lots of trouble with the small screen.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 09:58 AM

Xoan (25,124 posts)

16. My wife doesnt trust cell phones.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:00 AM

DURHAM D (32,074 posts)

17. I have a landline because I want one.

Why are you pissed about it?

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:03 AM

yorkster (699 posts)

18. Because I like the audio quality and

I like having both.

If I want to I can use both, like when I need to use my cell to verify something when I'm on hold on the landline.

Cell to cell audio can also be less than optimal.

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Response to yorkster (Reply #18)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:19 AM

Rebl2 (9,878 posts)

24. Same here

Audio quality is much better, unless someone calling is on a cell phone and THEIR phone cuts out or drops me during conversation. I hate that especially if they are driving, which I don’t approve of. I have a cell phone for emergency use if I am out somewhere (and it’s happened) or need to verify something when I am at certain web sites like social security.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:07 AM

MLAA (13,847 posts)

19. I have one because it is part of internet and cable package.

I no longer plug a phone into it.

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Response to MLAA (Reply #19)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:38 AM

GoCubsGo (30,820 posts)

37. Mine's part of my Internet package, as well.

It doesn't cost me less to drop it, and I've had the number for 25+ years. Why drop it? I only have my cellphone for emergencies, and I don't hand that number out to many people. Anyone else who wants to get a hold of me can call my "landline."

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:12 AM

dembotoz (15,641 posts)

20. so i have a customer..home office....1 number with 7 extentions

bigger house, phone in most every room. They feel they need that....
To rip and replace for voip would be omg expensive.

Can't misplace your phone when you got 7 of them....

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:13 AM

ananda (27,276 posts)

21. No, and I never get polled.

I do have a backup paygo phone, though.

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Response to ananda (Reply #21)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:31 AM

Sympthsical (6,108 posts)

30. I get polls in texts

It's fascinating they think I will respond favorably to that.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:13 AM

Freddie (8,613 posts)

22. Crappy cell service in my house

Learned that the hard way, was on hold with an airline for an hour, finally got a human and - dropped call 🤬. That’s why I still have the landline.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:18 AM

Torchlight (1,880 posts)

23. Backup, comfort and decoration.

We have a rotary dial on display in the living room. I prefer talking on it when I can over my cell just for the comfort alone (so easy to crook the phone in my neck, impossible for me with a cell). Sound quality is measurably no better nor worse to me than my cell, and coverage here goes out pretty consistently when weather begins acting wonky.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:20 AM

Chainfire (12,165 posts)

25. Still have home phone service, but haven't had a phone on it in years.

My only connection to the outside world is a DSL that is about as fast as sending data using a abacus.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:20 AM

LetMyPeopleVote (124,610 posts)

26. I like my land line

My house has a radiant barrier and sometimes I get weak reception unless I am near a window. I also like getting the occasional calls from pollsters

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Response to LetMyPeopleVote (Reply #26)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:34 AM

Elessar Zappa (10,439 posts)

35. I've received two poll surveys on my cell phone this election season.

So they don’t just call landlines.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:20 AM

Backseat Driver (3,350 posts)

27. LOL for AOL - our digital landline service

has been a part of our provider's bundled pricing robbery scheme for decades when smart TVs didn't exist, but paying for all those separate streaming subscriptions free trials until...we automatically charge you, give me a headache. Some even have commercials again. Someday we'll bust up the happy trio - cable, internet wifi, digital phone, eliminating two of them, maybe all three--just not today! The ringer has been off for several years and scammers seldom ever leave a message. Ahhhh...peace and quiet.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:22 AM

HAB911 (8,176 posts)

28. having a metal roof and bad cell service initially

now that we have simultaneous ring on my cell, my number has not changed since 1981, and no one has my cell number.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:24 AM

ForgedCrank (1,110 posts)

29. Multiple

reasons.
It's more reliable and I use it for a failover for when my cell phone has an issue as well. I can also use it to Fax stuff the old fashion way. I dont like online services having access to my personal documents.
Besides, if it wasnt there, who would the scammers call 13 times a day?

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:32 AM

Cognitive_Resonance (1,535 posts)

31. Safety. In general wireless (radio) delivery is still inherently less reliable than

terrestrial-based technology. If anyone in the household ever needs to call for help I want two independent services available with one based on terrestrial technology. Non-negotiable.
(edit): There's also the call quality issue. Cell is convenient when moving around, but connection and call quality issues are the price that's payed.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:33 AM

GoCubsGo (30,820 posts)

32. Because I feel like it.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:34 AM

NowISeetheLight (640 posts)

34. Part of the package

I have a number with the cable and internet package. I’ve never actually had a phone plugged in though. The package was cheaper with it so I took it.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:36 AM

Autumn (42,335 posts)

36. Because my cell service often sucks.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:39 AM

kimbutgar (18,180 posts)

38. I had an AT&Y landline for 30 years they switched over to wireless and the phone rarely worked

I ended up porting my line to another carrier. After a upfront cost to get the service of $70 I pay $10 a month instead of $40. I was paying AT&T and their customer services sucked and couldn’t get help so they lost my business. I still have my internet with them though.

But my older family members and old friends know my landline number. And I like talking on my landline phone instead of my small cell phone.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:41 AM

Midnight Writer (18,342 posts)

39. I like to walk away from my phone. I don't like to carry one with me.

I own a pay-as-you-go cell phone, but it stays in a drawer unless I'm traveling.

I hate answering the phone. Any phone. It pisses me off that anyone, anywhere, for any reason, can punch a button and I am expected to respond by answering. I especially hate carrying the damn phone around with me so my life can be interrupted even more frequently.

I shut off the ringer on my landline, check the caller ID a couple times a day to see if I missed anything worthwhile, which is rare.

I am baffled by the need for people to "stay accessible" 24/7. I am irritated when I am trying to communicate with someone and they are holding a smartphone and scanning it constantly and not hearing a word I am saying. I met up with an old friend a while back I hadn't seen in years. We met in a restaurant and he pulls out his phone and sets it on the table in front of him and repeatedly interrupts our conversation to respond to beeps and squeaks on his phone.

You see, not only am I a geezer, I am a curmudgeon as well. Now if I can just figure out how to stop people from showing up at my home and knocking on the door while I am taking a shit, I would be in heaven.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:41 AM

CTyankee (61,295 posts)

40. I just don't wanna be one of those people glued to their phones while the world goes on around them.

Maybe it's the new reality. I dunno, I don't care. I'm old.

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Response to CTyankee (Reply #40)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 03:55 PM

shrike3 (1,984 posts)

65. Yep. I just bought a cell phone and it sits in my purse.

But at least we have it for emergencies.

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Response to CTyankee (Reply #40)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 04:32 PM

llmart (14,105 posts)

72. +1

My landline is bundled with my internet, so it only costs me $12 a month. Why on earth would I want to pay hundreds a month to talk on the phone? I can hear better on the landline phone. Like you, I have no desire to be addicted to a phone screen. Yeah, I'm old too and I don't care, just like you. I have a cheap Tracfone to carry with me for emergencies. I only turn it on when I need to use it, which is rarely.

I think cellphones are a wonderful invention, and I can understand that for some people, like my contractor who works out of his truck most times, they are a real boon to his business. They're just not for me.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:45 AM

RobinA (9,230 posts)

41. Non Existent Cell Service

at the house. Big house I'm not going to populate with cell phones, 93 year old mother who can't use a cell phone, reliability is better (although not as reliable as before they forced us to get fiber optic).

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:51 AM

FakeNoose (27,752 posts)

42. I only use my cellphone for emergencies

Half the time, I forget to charge it up, so the cellphone isn't even reliable - for me.

My Verizon deal includes cable TV, internet and landline all in the same package. If I deleted the landline I'd still be paying the same amount, so the landline is basically free. It's reliable, handy, and always charged up. (Unlike my cellphone.)

But the main reason is: I do all my internetting on my desktop computer, not on my cellphone. I use a standard computer keyboard because screen "typing" absolutely sucks.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 10:57 AM

Genki Hikari (1,766 posts)

43. I don't have a landline anymore

But I understand why other people do.

If the power goes out, landlines will still work in most cases, provided you have an old school phone hooked up (ye olde Ma Bell Trimline or the like). I've thought about rebooting a landline for this reason alone. Anytime my mother hears about bad weather where I am, she calls me. If I didn't answer, she would F-R-E-A-K. If I had a landline, I'd save myself a great deal of grief when she could get through to me.

Rural people tend to have bad or zero cell phone coverage, so landlines are necessary for them.

My elderly mother lives in a well-populated area, but her house is somehow in a cell phone dead zone. If she didn't have a landline, she would be in serious trouble if she had an emergency at home. At her age (80s), it's a major concern.

Some people have older alarm systems that require a landline to function properly.

Some disabled people need it for their TTY system.

It's cheaper than cell phone service, especially for the elderly and disabled.

Quite honestly, the service tends to be more reliable than cell phone, and the sound quality tends to be better. Not always. But usually.

No need to worry about upgrading your phone. A lot of people with cell phones are now SOL with the eradication of older access protocols. The phone company doesn't do rotary lines anymore, but guess what? Most of the providers installed rotary switches at residence level, so that people with rotary phones can still make and receive calls. It's 100+ year technology, and it still works. Try doing that with a 25 year old cell phone.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 11:08 AM

blueinredohio (6,587 posts)

44. I still have one so I don't have to bother other people with

my business when I'm in public. I also never give my email address unless absolutely necessary.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 11:12 AM

Iggo (46,315 posts)

45. Earthquakes. (n/t)

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 11:14 AM

moonscape (4,256 posts)

46. Sound quality and reliability when

power is out. Also, earthquake country. Also I can’t lose it!

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 11:28 AM

Groundhawg (336 posts)

47. Because I want to

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 11:42 AM

Kaleva (33,436 posts)

49. The landline will work when power goes out and the battery in the cellphone has died.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 11:50 AM

MissMillie (36,926 posts)

51. Long story, short: we live in a reception hole

And our cell phones work off of the wi-fi. So our cell phones don't work when there is a power outage.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 11:53 AM

W_HAMILTON (6,500 posts)

52. Answering on behalf of my elderly mother:

- She's had that phone number for probably longer than you've been alive and it's what everyone knows to call her on.
- With our current bundle, it's relatively cheap (~$9/mo).
- She has dementia and cannot understand most of the complicated cell phones today.
- She is pretty much housebound, which means the benefits of a "mobile" phone are useless to her.

Can you get a cell phone with unlimited calling for ~$9/mo? I'm guessing not. Maybe she's the smart one.

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Response to W_HAMILTON (Reply #52)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 12:23 PM

wishstar (4,995 posts)

56. Same situation here with 80 year old spouse plus we have 5 phones in house and basement hooked up

My spouse refuses to use smart phone or computer technology but I also like not having to carry smart phone everywhere and having to make sure its charged up all the time and operational.

At a very cheap rate for over 30 years we have had the same 3 corded phones- kitchen, basement and hallway at bathroom door plus cordless landline phones for bedroom and living room with answering machine on one and caller ID on other, so for us this long time setup is extremely convenient and everyone knows our landline number. Cheaper and more reliable than getting spouse a smart phone.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 12:10 PM

MurrayDelph (4,985 posts)

53. For the same reasons I have satellite TV.

I don't want to be dependent on a single point of failure.

If the satellite goes out, I switch to Roku. If the internet goes out too, I use the cell to Chromecast to the TV. If cell service goes out, I'll pull out some DVD/Blu-ray disks. If the electricity goes out, I'll fire up the emergency generator.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 12:18 PM

Polybius (11,972 posts)

54. It feels good in my hand and when held to my ear

Something about holding a cell phone to the ear that's not comfy.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 12:19 PM

HAB911 (8,176 posts)

55. I forgot, cell voice quality sucks

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 12:31 PM

marybourg (11,416 posts)

57. Still have a landline, for all of the reasons

articulated above, but no longer have business cards.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 01:33 PM

krawhitham (4,559 posts)

59. because it only cost me $2.50/month, and I like having 911 support

The one time I called 911 on a cell phone I was told basically to pound sand

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 02:11 PM

Native (5,477 posts)

60. First off, a true landline is not the same as internet phone service.

Are you asking about true landlines, the kind that still work even when the power is out, or are you including internet phone service (via cable/modem) in that mix?

As for a true landline, we were required by law to have one in our elevator. If your elevator ever gets stuck, you have to be able to call for help when the power is out. Living on the water in a stilt home also meant quite a few power outages and cable service interruptions (lines were above ground more often than not).

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 02:22 PM

keep_left (970 posts)

61. Voice-over-IP phone here, going out over a physical line. Like others who responded, we're...

...in a partial dead zone where it comes to cell phones. I need to get the VoIP phone on a UPS supply soon, however. Unlike an old-fashioned phone line, it goes dead when the power goes out (which isn't too surprising, since you're essentially connecting your landline to a computer).

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 03:22 PM

musicblind (4,477 posts)

62. We have no cellphone signal where I live.

Not everyone lives in or near a city.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 03:52 PM

shrike3 (1,984 posts)

63. Because I want to? Because it's not a big deal?

I got a Samsung to text. Everybody in the world texts. Of course, in the month since I got it, there've only been sales texts, LOL.

I figure the Samsung's for emergencies or for anybody who must text me. Anybody else can reach us on the landline.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 03:56 PM

Algernon Moncrieff (5,702 posts)

66. In our town, there was an infamous 911 call

Family crisis with shooting. They called 911 with their cell phones. The cops and EMTs went to the cell tower. Theoretically it's been fixed, but we don't trust the county.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 04:08 PM

Vinca (49,044 posts)

68. I hate my cell phone. I'm kind of technically challenged. LOL.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 04:09 PM

Maeve (41,395 posts)

69. Business card for 20 years, yeah..but

My 91 year old mom calls it, as does my son when he wants either Hubby or me (he'll call the cell nu.bers if he wants one of us specifically). And we use it for a few other things.
It so means I don't get as much spam on my cell since few strangers have that number.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 04:11 PM

ellie (6,882 posts)

70. Yes

For work. Sometimes I have to speak on webinars through the telephone connection and my cell phone is not reliable in my apartment.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 04:41 PM

llmart (14,105 posts)

73. From the way you posed your question...

it seemed a bit judgmental of people who still have landlines. I just read all the responses and I'm hoping you did too because there are dozens of very good, legitimate reasons for having a landline. Maybe you will see that just because someone has a landline doesn't mean they're not tech savvy or that only old people have landlines.

My son is a software engineer with NASA and he still has his landline. He lives in hurricane country in Florida. He's already experienced that having a landline comes in handy.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 06:14 PM

VGNonly (6,815 posts)

77. My landline conked out.

Not to fear, my backup telegraph is still kicking!

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 07:11 PM

Midwestern Democrat (714 posts)

78. I prefer the clarity of sound of a landline; I like the ease of it - I don't have to turn it on or

recharge it or go through a bunch of screens to listen to messages; and I like being listed in the phone book.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 07:38 PM

Baltimike (3,743 posts)

79. Because I have had it for over 26 years and that's how family calls.

Also, it keeps my cell phone more personal, so I can keep spam calls down.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Thu Oct 27, 2022, 08:09 PM

Raftergirl (939 posts)

81. I've had internet phone service for at least 10 years and I wanted it because I could keep

my land line phone number. That was what was important to me. It’s the number everyone has who has asked me for my # for the last 31 years. My friends and family also call me at the number. I have phones in practically every room so my iPhone stays in my purse and I’m not constantly searching the house for where I left it.

We have a whole house generator so if I lose power my “landline” still works - unless cable goes out, too.

I don’t do much of anything on my cell phone unless I’m out of the house, I have an iPad and use that for most everything.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Fri Oct 28, 2022, 05:21 AM

Niagara (4,338 posts)

82. Just in case you're not aware, the way you asked was 100% insolent.

We still have our landline for the following reasons:

1. Sound quality is way better

2. No dropped calls. Seriously we live in a Buffalo suburb, not in the countryside, there should be no reason for dropped calls.

3. Our residential security system.

3. We have the original Ooma (before it was regulated) which means we have a zero monthly phone bill.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Fri Oct 28, 2022, 05:25 AM

Meowmee (4,687 posts)

83. Terrible cell phone service

We could never rely on it. The ll is attached to internet though and it can also have some issues but less. So you need both. Years ago, long before cell phones, I remember once picking up the phone to make a call and I was in the middle of two other people’s phone conversation I kept trying to tell them that they had to hang up, but they didn’t seem to be able to hear me. Lol.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Fri Oct 28, 2022, 05:52 AM

edhopper (30,504 posts)

84. It's part of my cable/internet package

The phone itself is easier to hold for long calls. It never drops calls. It works if cell service is down. It's battery never runs down. I have three handsets, so I don't have to run through the house if we get a call. The call screening is better than on a cell phone...
Anything else?

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Fri Oct 28, 2022, 05:56 AM

ProfessorGAC (56,862 posts)

85. Yes, We Have One

Biggest reason is that it costs nothing.
Our internet provider provides a VOIP service that costs nothing extra.
The bill actually has a line for the service and every month it shows $0.00.
We don't even pay a fee for the little box that connects to the wiring and converts to digital.
So in our case, it's not why. It's why not?

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Fri Oct 28, 2022, 05:58 AM

Earth-shine (2,298 posts)

86. My mother cannot operate a smartphone. She can barely use the landline.

She's 80, with ample senility, blindness, deafness, and is now recovering from a diabetic stroke.

The dial tone helps her. The TALK button on the phone is big.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Fri Oct 28, 2022, 06:00 AM

AngryOldDem (13,950 posts)

87. One reason.

I don’t feel like engaging with my cable/internet provider to unbundle it from my package. I don’t trust them to not fuck things up and disconnect me from everything. I’m not home during the day, and occasionally I’ll get spam calls at night that I ignore. It’s not a huge deal in the larger scheme of my life right now.

And I’m still one of two people who still have an AOL account — again, because I have better things to do than get set up with a new ISP and change e-mail addresses on a million things. It still suits my purposes just fine, so I don’t know why it’s anybody else’s worry about what I’m using.

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Response to pstokely (Original post)

Fri Oct 28, 2022, 09:11 AM

Ursus Rex (86 posts)

90. I WANT to have one but AT&T now charges over $110/month for a true landline.

The old style telephone lines are still regulated as a utility, with all the maintenance of physical lines etc, while the IP/internet phone service is NOT, so I suspect AT$T keeps raising the price to drive customers to the less-regulated, far more profitable IP service (it went from $45 to $110 in just 5 years here in North ATL). I have ZERO interest in internet phones, etc, since they depend on grid power to work.

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