For whatever reason, I get to test the idea of living without a land line. It stopped working a couple of days ago. The folks working on some utility pole wiring down the street said it wasn't them. So I called into the repair center for the telephone company.
I could cut a nice chunk of change that I pay out every month to the telephone company if I were to drop that land line. I hadn't really considered it until this recent experience.
When I called the telephone company, it had me place my repair order without talking to a human. Some of the questions they ask didn't make very much sense. They asked if my telephone service was out, or was it my internet DSL service? Acutally it was both. Both wasn't an option given, so I just settled for the telephone service since they both went out at the same time.
It wasn't too long ago that a telephone service that was down would bring a quick response from the telephone company. I guess those days are long gone. The computer voice told me that the problem would be solved within about six days. Two days later, still no service, so maybe they were serious about how little they care long it might take to restore service.
So I am using the cell phone and an air card, and so far, so good.
So what are the reasons for a land line? It is nice to be able to send a fax. I know that we can scan documents, but sometimes it is so easy to put some papers in the fax machine. And there are those conversations where a phone call could burn cell minutes. But there are cell plans with unlimited minutes - and some of them are priced pretty reasonably. And some of the prepaid plans look very attractive. (For example, Boost Mobile has unlimited voice, text and web starting at $50 per month, eventually dropping to $35 per month. Sure you have to buy a phone, but at those rates, I would happily pay a little more for the phone.)
So, somebody explain to me again what are the advantages of a land line? I will have a decision to make this month whether or not to continue with the land line. My Adroid phone can keep up with e-mail and conversations. DSL might be nice to continue, help me - is there a need for a dial tone?
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