Home Phone question

[Inimicus]

So there were never any problems with the technology? Not even based off of networks or devices it was dependent on? I don't know anything about how it works if you can't tell.

We never had any. The VOIP data is compressed and error checked in such a way that very rarely could anyone tell that I wasnt on an AT&T wire. In the last few months we even had it connected to our home network via a wireless connection and it was still solid as a rock.

Power is its big draw back. Our neighborhood had all the utilities buried so it was never a big deal for us. But if you live in an area that's prone to outages its something to consider.

[PantherBase]

Hell I still use the string and tin can..Works good for me:D

[g5jamz]

911 is the bigger concern. Hopefully it is never needed.

I believe despite even not having a land line service with your phone company, I think it's still required to have the line run to the house and you can plug a phone into it in order to dial 911.

Just like any old cellphone. You may not have a service, but it's supposed to still be able to dial 911.

[Kettle]

makes sense. might have to just get an old phone for that reason.

[g5jamz]

Just checked...it does.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9-1-1#Problems_requiring_further_resolution

In the U.S., Federal Communications Commission rules require every telephone that can access the network to be able to dial 9-1-1, regardless of any reason that normal service may have been disconnected (including non-payment) (This only applies to states with a Do Not Disconnect policy in place. Those states must provide a "soft" or "warm" dial tone service, details can be found at http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Reports/FCC-State_Link/IAD/pntris99.pdf) On wired (land line) phones, this usually is accomplished by a "soft" dial tone, which sounds normal but will allow only emergency calls. Often, an unused and unpublished phone number will be issued to the line so that it will work properly. With regard to mobile phones, the rules require carriers to connect 9-1-1 calls from any mobile phone, regardless of whether that phone is currently active.[29] The same rules for inactive telephones apply in Canada.[30]

When a cellular phone is deactivated, the phone number is often recycled to a new user, or to a new phone for the same user. The deactivated cell phone will still complete a 911 call (if it has battery power) but the 911 operator will see a specialized number indicating the cell phone has been deactivated. It is usually represented with an area code of (911)-xxx-xxxx. If the call is disconnected, the 911 operator will not be able to connect to the original caller. Also because the cell phone is no longer activated, the 911 operator is often unable to get Phase II information.[31]

[logic1977]

Just checked...it does.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9-1-1#Problems_requiring_further_resolution

This doesnt work quite the way you have it outlined.

Short answer is if you have a dialtone, you can call 911.

But if you arent paying for service the phone company doesnt have to leave the line in place and can disconnect it whenever they like.

Now that could be days, weeks, months, or years later but if it were my family involved i wouldnt count on it being there if i wasnt paying

[Wither]

yeah AT&T for internet too. and I still get all my calls without my phone always being by my side.

Because you're always behind your computer browsing the huddle and downloading pictures of Hayden.

[ladypanther]

I have Vontage. Have 911 service. I save a lot of money. Got it because did not use home phone that much...but did not want to give up my number. (My home number transferred to Vontage.) A lot of good features. Sound quality the same. Now use my home phone a lot more than before.

Needs high speed internet. If power goes out...can use my cell phone to make needed calls. My power has not gone out in maybe 15 years...and I live in a rural area.

[Davidson Deac II]

Voice over IP or Traditional Land Line, and why?

I've always thought the mobile was enough, but little reasons such as reception inconsistency and touch screens that don't always work perfectly have me considering an actual home phone.

If you are going to keep your cell, then just get a landline with local service only. I think you can get it thru att/bell south for 13-14 bucks a month. I think you can still get incoming long distance, but just use your cell if you have to make a long distance call.

[charlotte49er]

Having a land line is good if the power ever goes out, Id probably just have local w/ no extra stuff and primarily use my cell phone.

That's why use my cell phone for everything. Doesnt' care aobut the power going out or not. Don't have to put up with Bell South BS! (Or TWC. )

For my business however, I haven't decided between cell phone or TWC phone. (As much as TWC and I don't get along.)

[Inimicus]

That's why use my cell phone for everything. Doesnt' care aobut the power going out or not. Don't have to put up with Bell South BS! (Or TWC. )

For my business however, I haven't decided between cell phone or TWC phone. (As much as TWC and I don't get along.)

The last BIG ice storm we had here in G'boro left a lot of the cell towers without power. There were quite a few people with land lines that had service back before cell coverage was worth a damn.

Point is they all have their weaknesses.

[Kettle]

I'm gonna be in Kvegas so that's good info.