If you still have a “real” phone or a landline, you’re still like the majority of homeowners, but that may change before long. Many people are doing away with landlines to go wireless. Between cell phones and VOIP (voice over Internet phone) service, fewer consumers are utilizing traditional phone companies. In many cases, they are able to save a decent amount of money, since there are great packages some Internet and wireless phone companies offer. The plans tend be quite competitive with typical phone bills.
In some areas, it’s simpler to keep regular phone service, especially if your Internet Service Provider is tied to your phone company. Of course, there are other issues to consider as well.
For one thing, cell phone batteries die and need to be recharged. Some people just buy extra batteries for their wireless phones and keep one battery charging while the other is in use. However, it’s easy to forget or to otherwise end up with a battery that isn’t charged. If your phone is dead and you need to make an emergency call, you might rethink having a landline.
You’ll also need more than one cell phone if you don’t live alone. You’ll need one to take with you when you leave the house and one to leave at home, so you can stay in communication with your family. This isn’t a difficult issue, since there are many affordable plans that allow for more than one phone line per package. You will have to share minutes, but people can adjust and learn to make calls at more optimum times to save those “anytime minutes” for when they’re really needed.
As with most things, there are pros and there are cons. Landlines can be convenient but tend to be more expensive. Wireless phones are also convenient, and they do tend to be more economical, but they have their drawbacks as well.
What do you think?