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Ditching land-line in favour of cell

M

Mark R

Diamond Member
I've been thinking, with my current mobile phone contract, the pricing and features are such that I could probably get away without a land-line.

Virtually unlimited inclusive off-peak call time - 50 mins/day - after that call costs cheaper than from a landline
Inclusive time can be used for international calling with a dial-through service, for completely free international calls
Free answering service
Full fax support with seperate fax number and fax answering service
Data support (anlogue or ISDN up to 14.4 kbps)

The only thing that is making me keep the landline is the faster data connection - still no evidence of broadband making any effort to rear its head (there need to be approx 100 pre-registrations on my exchange before they upgrade it, currently there has been 1 registration!)

Has anyone gone mobile-only and if so what do you miss about a fixed line?
 
I, too, am thinking about just going with the cell phone. My friend and I are getting an apt at college this fall, and since we're planning on getting a cable modem, we figured individual cell phones might be better than getting a land line, which after a year or whatever we'd have to tell everyone new phone numbers anyway. It'd be handy to have a cell phone anyway, and I don't think it'd be too bad to have as an only phone, considering I don't really use that many minutes on a phone per day anyway. I would also be interested in hearing if anyone else has gone the way of a landline-less existence!
 
I'm thinking about it. My wife has a cell phone with 800 anytime minutes and unlimited nights/weekends. I'll be getting a cell phone from work for after-hours support but I can use it to make personal calls too (everyone else does). So with two cell phones, there won't be any need for a landline since we have cable modem access. I rarely make phone calls anyways, so the $25 a month I'm spending on the landline is being wasted anyways. I swear half the time I use the landline is to answer telemarketers.

Edit: Forgot to mention that my brother has done this for the past couple months now that he's on his own. He doesn't have internet access but he wouldn't use it anyways. He likes it so far, and he's always available since everyone knows just his cell phone number.
 
do you really think people are going to start to get brain cancer now that we're all using cell phones more?
 
Once my roommate gets a cell phone, we're losing the land line. I would have lost it by the beginning of the year if he hadn't moved in.
 
I ditched a landline back in November for a Sprint cell phone.

One thing I really like about it.... I have only recieved one or two telemarketer calls on it since November. I told them it was a cell phone and that they should never call it again. I haven't gotten one in probably 6 months.

The only problem I have had is I applied for a Discover card and they denied me because they require a land line. Seems stupid to me, but oh well. Oh... that and all the stupid dropped calls from Sprint.

The only way I'd go back to a LandLine is if I change internet from Cable to DSL.
 
As stated, the only reason to have a landline is if you need dial-up internet access.

I have Sprint, with the 500 anytime 4500 nights & weekend plan. Unfortunately sprint changed their N&W definition to be 9pm to 7am, so nights and weekend minutes are virtually useless for me. Still, I haven't yet gone over my anytime allotment. And free long distance is always good for prank calling. 😀

The only disadvantage to cell-phone only is that occasionally I'll get a bad connection in my room. But it doesn't happen very often. As for the brain cancer thing...it's hard to say. Cell phones do operate in microwave range, and microwaves heat water. I'll probably get a hands-free kit as soon as I can find one for a reasonable price that is easy to put on/take off and actually stays in place without much effort.
 
yeah, the no telemarketers thing would be cool too. how do you keep your cell phone # from getting out to the marketers though once you have to start using that when you place orders/sign up for things/etc.?
 
Pretty much everyone I know has a cell phone, including every family member. But I still keep a landline on so I can receive faxes and DSL 🙂

I've got free unlimited incomming minutes, free nights and weekends, 700 outgoing minutes, free 2 way radio, and free roaming and long distance, what else would you want a landline for? 🙂
 
Originally posted by: dude
I've got free unlimited incomming minutes, free nights and weekends, 700 outgoing minutes, free 2 way radio, and free roaming and long distance, what else would you want a landline for? 🙂
Click to expand...
If you pay a fee for your cell phone service, then these features are not free. They are included in the price you pay.
 
Well, free isn't really free, and everyone should know it comes with a price. 😀

But it is a better deal than my landline when you consider that I do use alot of long distance calling and do travel around. Also, the convience is number one to me. 🙂
 
Then it sounds like a good deal for you! Unfortunately, lots of people get caught up in the "free" word and end up paying a lot more for cell phone usage then they would with a land line. Few work the numbers to see which route gives them the best value, just like a long-distance plan versus a 10-10 number. Of course, cell intangibles such as convenience and gadgets are tough to measure.
 
I recently did the same for economic reasons. I felt I wasn't getting my $23-24 worth per month out of having a home phone. But not having a home line gets some businesses, from lenders to pizza places, in a bit of a funk. You'll need a land line if you want to send or receive faxes at home, or if you live in an apartment building with a security phone instead of buzzers. Also, I'm SOL for an internet connection if the cable goes out.
 
I'm keeping my landline . . . and cell phone.

I live in San Diego where phone companys actually compete with each other - $4.99 a month for a Cox digital phone and unlimited local service. And since I still have dial-up, don't bother to call me . . . it's always "busy". 🙂
 
Originally posted by: notfred
I was rejected for a discover card for the reason "no home phone #" because I only have a cell phone.
Click to expand...

How did they know? Did they run a check on you area code and prefix, or did you just not list a home number?
 
Originally posted by: Garfang
Originally posted by: notfred
I was rejected for a discover card for the reason "no home phone #" because I only have a cell phone.
Click to expand...

How did they know? Did they run a check on you area code and prefix, or did you just not list a home number?
Click to expand...

They called me and asked about it.
 
I don't have a home phone anymore. I got sick of the $100 monthly for DSL/Phone service. I only have a cell now.
 
Originally posted by: edmicman
yeah, the no telemarketers thing would be cool too. how do you keep your cell phone # from getting out to the marketers though once you have to start using that when you place orders/sign up for things/etc.?
Click to expand...

I don't even worry about it. I'm sure they have my number, but I never get calls. I think its because if they call a cell phone to try to sell something, it is costing me money for them to try to sell something. I think that may be against the law or something.
 
Originally posted by: notfred
I was rejected for a discover card for the reason "no home phone #" because I only have a cell phone.
Click to expand...

I had the same exact problem. They told me it is their policy to require a home phone to help prevent fraud.
 
ditto what dnetmhz said, I've been land line free for almost 1 1/2 years... I've got my cable modem.
What do I miss about not having a land line? Bell South customer disservice.
 
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