do I need a landline?

[ny biker]

I have a landline because on 9/11/01 you could not get a cell signal. After the earthquake we had last August, you could not get a cell signal, either, and text messages were iffy.

It's an insurance policy.

Also if the electricity goes out for an extended period, I will still have a phone to use without requiring a battery recharge. I keep an old non-cordless phone in a drawer near the phone jack, and I plug it in when the power goes out. It's a Verizon line, so I don't lose it when the cable goes out.

[ACG]

I have a landline because on 9/11/01 you could not get a cell signal. After the earthquake we had last August, you could not get a cell signal, either, and text messages were iffy.

It's an insurance policy.

Also if the electricity goes out for an extended period, I will still have a phone to use without requiring a battery recharge. I keep an old non-cordless phone in a drawer near the phone jack, and I plug it in when the power goes out. It's a Verizon line, so I don't lose it when the cable goes out.

Like NY biker for me it's an insurance policy.

On Nov.30/Dec. 1 here in Pasadena we had a windstorm, 100 mph winds, uncommon for sure. Trees down, roofs blown off, my fence blew down and garage door caved in.

No power for almost 5 days. Cell towers down or busy. No way to charge cell phones except your cars. I had a landline and pulled out my old fashioned plug into the wall phone. Viola! All my neighbors and most of my family were stuck.

I'm keeping my so in case or when the big earthquake hits, I can be the SoCal contact person in my family. (oh and the Zombi Apocalpyse too)

If you feel personally that you won't have a need for it, then don't waste your money.

[Blueberry]

If you really want to keep the number:

Port it to a pre-paid cell phone or your current cell with a 2nd line.

The port it to google voice ($20 charge).

You can then set it up to ring your cell phone (free - except for minutes) and the $20 is a one time charge.

[OakLeaf]

Then again, there have been many instances (most recently during Hurricane Irene) where landline service went out but cell networks were mostly intact.

Redundancy always gives you another level of assurance, but it's not like landlines are necessarily more reliable than cell service. It is good to have a solar charger and/or battery backup - really, it's good to have more comprehensive backup home power (phone service doesn't seem so important if you don't have heat or water).

[GLC1968]

really, it's good to have more comprehensive backup home power (phone service doesn't seem so important if you don't have heat or water).

This was our feeling. We lose power during a storm, flooding is a more urgent concern than phone service for us.

We held onto our land line in NC due to DSL internet. When we moved here, we opted for cable internet, so we didn't get a land line phone. Haven't missed it even once.

[Penny4]

I keep my landline because i hate having long conversations on my cell phone. But I have definitely thought about cutting it loose...maybe at least switch it over to IP phone and bundle it with cable, etc to save a bit.
If i work from home and have to join a conference call, it is just so much easier on a land line than my cell...

[ny biker]

If i work from home and have to join a conference call, it is just so much easier on a land line than my cell...

Agreed. Also no worries about battery life.

[badger]

I believe I don't need a landline for my internet as I have all my services from one company and I've already asked if I can just cancel my landline and they didn't say anything about it affecting my internet.

I haven't thought about the battery issue, but my cordless phone has crappy batteries that only seem to last about a year and I have to go on a hunt to buy them as they're old.

So yeah, maybe it's time to let it go. I won't need to get a second line on my cell phone, I'm only reluctant to let it go for sentimental reasons, I think. Like I said, nobody ever calls me