Are Landlines Doomed to Extinction? - Comments Page 3

Verizon forced us to cut our copper lines last year for the FIOS based line. The issue at hand is our security system is now vulnerable to cutting since the FIOS box now sits on our lawn and the lines are only buried 6 inches and not 24 inches per the copper lines. Someone made a bad choice here since the copper line system is the most reliable and secure lines. Verizon is now talking about a 10 digit phone number even for local calls. The current local call numbers are 7. The FIOS system can go down in a heart beat especially during a severe power outages. In the 40 plus years we lived out here, we have never ever had phone outages even during severe ice storms and blizzards. During a recent snow storm, the power was knocked out for days. Do you think FIOS survived? Not on your life and that is what we are talking here! The FIOS based phone system is crap!! It is unreliable and the NYState PSC knows this and continues to allow the removal of landlines. And if one thinks that Cellular is more reliable. Guess not for when the power goes down so does the cell phones. Now if we had satellite phone service, maybe this would be more reliable!

I still have a landline for a couple of reasons. One is that the quality of calls is consistently high, whereas mobile and VoIP are not. The second, more important, is emergencies. I have a disability and need to have access to reliable, consistence phone service. In the big blackout of 2003, mobile networks weren’t working, and people very quickly ran out of juice on their mobile, whereas I had access to my phone. As well, cable modems break down. Quite frequently. As far as I can see, this move away from landline’s has serious implications for people who are poor, disabled, seniors, or otherwise vulnerable.

I wouldn't be without a landline. When my daughter considered getting rid of hers, I pointed out all the reasons why a single mother with a small child needs one. Cell phones are convenient, but they are not yet reliable in the way that a landline phone is.

Here's an interesting read on the subject by NPR. The CDC is actually tracking landline vs cell phone use, and the conclusions are informative:
http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2015/12/03/458225197/the-daredevils-without-landlines-and-why-health-experts-are-tracking-them

Costco is offering the"Ooma Telo Air Phone System" online for $109.99 including shipping and handling until January 17th. Of course, always read the fine print, but it's worth checking out.

I live in BC, CANADA. I've had a landline with Telus since 1975. I also have my Internet with Telus. Since both travel over the Hydro Pole system, why would Telus want to drop their Landline service. This does not compute nor is it logical. I also have my cell phone with Koodo Mobile, which is a Subsidiary of Telus. I cannot see Telus dropping their POT,s service.

There are still many people living in rural areas that have no other reliable phone option except POTS. They are need it for Internet service via their telco's DSL service as many areas have no other good option available. Cable companies won't spend the money to build to them and wireless is iffy at best.

Our ONT in RI was placed inside in the basement. None of the inside copper was removed, just connected to the ONT. You should have asked to have the FiOS equipment placed indoors, but it seems too late for that. In the beginning, we did have to dial 10 digits for all calls, but I just tried a 7 digit local call and it went through, like always. Maybe you can move it your self, it is only 4 wires.

Hi Bob, one thing you didn't address in this article is the number of BUSINESSES still using landlines. Until someone comes up with a system that wirelessly works for new callers to a business looking for information or otherwise needing to get in touch with the stores, insurance companies, attorneys, call centers for ordering products (ie, from TV ads or catalogs or needing information about merchandise or services advertised online), and many many other businesses providing services and products, WE WILL STILL HAVE LANDLINES OF SOME TYPE OR ANOTHER. I haven't seen any progress towards totally mobile (ie, cell) systems that link together various individuals' mobile phones to a single number (such as a business might have which in turn will link one to multiple offices in a business). I do know companies have created business phone routing systems that connect to voice service VOIP, and some will still use the desk phones already in place. So, there's gonna still be the need for physical infrastructure to keep the systems running -- ie fiber optics, copper wiring, coax, etc.