A Question A Week: Cellphones vs Landlines

by Hava Lyon | More from this Blogger

23 Apr 2007 09:00 AM

This is ongoing series where I ask a question a week to my readers. To see the post where this all started, check this out.

My question this week is about communication: How many of my readers have opted to skip having a landline, and just have a cell phone and high-speed Internet? This is actually what I have going; since my husband and I moved into our home almost five years ago, we've only had a cell phone, no landline. At the time of the move-in, because we were very poor, we only had one cell phone, and no Internet at all. Yes, and I used to walk to work both ways uphill through the snow 365 days a year, why do you ask?

Anyway, we eventually got cable Internet, because we couldn't handle being disconnected from the rest of the world. Nowadays, when the Internet is down for an hour, it's considered a great tragedy and almost unbearable. I have no idea how I lived through an entire year without it. Of course, back then, my work wasn't on the Internet, so I could get away with no Internet access. That's not even a possibility anymore.

Then eventually, because it really was a pain to have my husband leave with the cell phone and not leave me any way to call anyone (what if something horrible happened and I was stuck at home with no way of reaching the outside world? I used to worry) we finally got a second cellphone, on those family plans you see advertised all over TV.

I'm very happy with my choice in telecommunications, and because I'm happy with it, I have often wondered why anyone would do it any way else. After all, on a landline, all you get is a bunch of telemarketers (when you have a cellphone, you're not listed in the phone book--wahoo!) calling you during dinner. How is this possibly a good thing? I was dispensing this great wisdom to my sister-in-law one day (hi Brenda!) and she pointed out, "Havilah, you have no children. Wait until you have four kids all arguing over the phone, and talking for hours at a time without realizing they are eating your anytime minutes like most people chow down potato chips. You'll be quick to install a landline."

Me, with all of my great wisdom, realized that she had a very good point. So my question is two part: Do you have just a cellphone and high-speed Internet, and if so, do you have children (and how old are they?) We're good friends with a couple who have a cell phone, high-speed Internet, and no landline, and they do have a child. The catch? He's only a year old. Not exactly vying for talk time.

Other than the children point, there is another good reason to get a landline: To work at home. If you want to work as a customer service rep or virtual assistant at home, you must have a landline. I have looked at several jobs that seemed very promising, but they all wanted that landline, and I just didn't want to fork out the money to have one installed. So I passed on those jobs. I won't lie--it has cost me more than a few jobs, but then again, I think blogging is a better job than CSR work for me anyway.

So, I want to hear your thoughts--what do you have and why?

Don't forget--you can respond two ways: Writing a comment below, or by dropping me a line at Hava L (at) Families dot com if you prefer to keep your input anonymous. Thanks!

Learn more about Hava Lyon

Hello, my name is Hava or Havs (depending on my mood and yours!) I am a freelance writer who writes for several blogs, both paid ones such as this one, and personal blogs.

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Katie Parker (85) 23 Apr 2007 10:26 AM

Another option is internet phone service. You have to have high speed internet for it to work, but it works like a land line. The monthly fees are generally lower than land line prices, too.

Hava Lyon (1545) 23 Apr 2007 10:31 AM

That's true. I have heard some good things about Voip, and some bad things--do you use it? Do you notice a difference in the clarity of the call? I've heard that sometimes the phone calls aren't clear, that you get static on the line.

I would love to hear feedback on that too!

Havs

mommabis (5) 24 Apr 2007 07:41 PM

We have VoIp at work and it can be a real pain. We've had a lot of trouble with it. Having it go down or having bad voice quality, but the last month has finally been better on both counts, so hopefully they've finally got it fixed! ;-)

Hava Lyon (1545) 24 Apr 2007 07:56 PM

Hi Mom!!! It's good to see you on here!! :-)

I have heard a lot of people have those same problems with Voip, so I know you're not alone in that. Surprisingly, it has been my cable Internet that has been giving me fits lately. For $50 a month, it ought to be a lot more stable than it is. It's up, it's down, it's up, it's down. I keep thinking that I need to change ISPs, but then inertia takes over and I never do. It sure is frustrating though, especially considering my job, and the fact I cannot work from home if I have no Internet.

Perhaps I should put it on my to-do list--then maybe it'll get done! :-P

Havs

miraclebaby06 (17132) 24 Apr 2007 08:36 PM

we only have cell phones and internet on them. we have a computer but not the money for high speed yet. our dd is still a baby so IF we ever need a landline it wont be for awhile

miraclebaby06 (17132) 24 Apr 2007 08:37 PM

we only have cell phones and internet on them. we have a computer but not the money for high speed yet. our dd is still a baby so IF we ever need a landline it wont be for awhile