Why keep a landline? (apart from Broadband)

PlutoinCapricorn

I have been trying to think of reasons for retaining a landline, other than needing it for Internet access, if you do not make many phonecalls.

Emails, mobile broadband and a cheap PAYG mobile phone are alternatives, but there may be considerations that I don't know about.

I have heard that a landline number helps to locate the house in emergencies, and that some organisations like to phone you at home on the landline number as proof that you really live there. Some companies will not accept mobile phone numbers, as they want to keep costs down when they call to sell you things.

Apparently the power supply is always on, so the phone is always available for use, whereas batteries need recharging which would not be possible in a power cut.

Cost to you and your callers are another factor of course.

Any more pros and cons?

benjus

You can of course have a "landline" phone number without actually having a landline. Services like Sipgate and Localphone currently provide this free of charge. This would provide a number to give to organizations that insist on having a landline number, and to allow the emergency services to locate you (http://www.sipgate.co.uk/faq/index.php?do=displayArticle&article=676&id=225).

As you say, having the phone always available is a major consideration - if you don't have a landline it would be advisable to keep a cheap mobile with some call credit permanently tethered to a charger for emergency use.

Then you would have to look at your data usage. Using a 3G connection to make/receive a 1 hour call a day could amount to 1GB per month, so you would need a fairly large data allowance to cope with telephone calls and internet access combined. You could end up paying as much as you would for a landline with ADSL.

Also, if you need very fast broadband and/or large download limits, you're pretty much stuck with a landline at present.

I'd say 3G wins on flexibility, e.g. if you're not going to be staying somewhere long enough to justify a contract. But if you're staying put I'd say a landline still makes sense.

jon_r_2

we thought about this,but a few numbers ie 0844 and 0871 will
not go through 18185, if anyone knows a way round this i would be interested!