Landline - still worth it?

rjwb

What is people's general feeling about landlines these days? We get pretty good mobile signal (Voda) and broadband (VM). I don't think we've used our landline for a year at least.

I've also just noriced it's not actually working - no dial tone - so have taken that up with VM. We've probably been paying for a service that hasn't been working for many months, which is annoying but our fault really

Also need to pare the VM package down to the bare essentials to offset the upcoming price rise!

Shall I just get rid of the landline? What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

jon81uk

I've not used the landline in 5+ years. Assuming you have a mobile contract with free minutes there is no need for a landline. 

brewerdave

Two things ,one, is your mobile signal reliable ? And two, do you need to keep your phone number for incoming calls eg older relations ,hospitals etc ? If you haven't been using the landline for a year or so , I'd assume the second Q is irrelevant., so get shot of landline.
HOWEVER ,I'm led to believe that there isn't much of a saving with VM if you discard the phone service.

TimSynths

Not had one for ten years- saved a fortune, £6pm Giff Gaff more than covers any calls and texts. Have a VM BB and big tv package for £33.50pm for another 14 months.

luvchocolate

I keep mine for emergency in case mobile fails. 
Internet and phone costs £20 and mobile £8 with unlimited texts and calls plus 2 data which is plenty when out and about 

rjwb

Thanks all - I don't see much use in the landline as things stand. Something to throw in when haggling over the price!

Bigphil1474

If you need the physical phone line for your BB, then you probably won't save much getting rid of your landline number as the phone package will probably included. If you have cable and don't need the physical phone line, then you could get rid but you probably won't find a cheaper package. We don't make many calls out on our landline and only get the occasional call in, but it's part of a package so doesn't really cost us anything as there's no cheaper alternative. Ours is through VM cable so wouldn't be any use in a power cut either.

Exodi

It's possible that this thread may be misleading at first impression.

Could you please clarify whether by 'get rid of the landline' you are referring to:

a) removing the 'calls' part of a broadband package
b) wanting to not pay (land)line rental at all?

If the former, then while you may be about to remove the calls part of a package (effectively moving to a broadband only package), you'd most likely still need to pay line rental.

If it's the latter as I expect, please be aware that the vast majority of broadband connections end up supplied by the physical (landline) cables running into the house. People often wrongly assume that landline = phone when in todays world, this couldn't be any further from the truth. The vast majority of people with broadband only packages will use landline cables, and thus need to pay line rental to maintain these lines.

Generally if you want to avoid line rental all together, you should consider mobile or satelite broadband (though these may not be as consistent or may work out more expensive). The other way would be exploring 'full fibre' options, wherein the fibre connections run to the premises (e.g. Virgin).

jon81uk

Exodi said:

It's possible that this thread may be misleading at first impression.

Could you please clarify where you are referring to:

a) getting rid of landline as in removing the 'calls' part of a broadband package - e.g. 
b) wanting to not pay line rental at all?

If the former, then while you may be about to remove the calls part of a package (effectively moving to a broadband only package), most broadband is delivered to peoples houses via the landline cables so you'd most likely still need to pay line rental.

If it's the latter as I expect, please be aware that the vast majority of broadband connections end up supplied by the physical (landline) cables running into the house. People often wrongly assume that landline = phone when in todays world, this couldn't be any further from the truth. The vast majority of people with broadband only packages will use landline cables, and thus need to pay line rental to maintain these lines.

Generally if you want to avoid line rental all together, you should consider mobile or satelite broadband (though these may not be as consistent or may work out more expensive). The other way would be exploring 'full fibre' options, wherein the fibre connections run to the premises (e.g. Virgin).

The OP stated they are with Virgin already. 

Exodi

jon81uk said:

Exodi said:

It's possible that this thread may be misleading at first impression.

Could you please clarify where you are referring to:

a) getting rid of landline as in removing the 'calls' part of a broadband package - e.g. 
b) wanting to not pay line rental at all?

If the former, then while you may be about to remove the calls part of a package (effectively moving to a broadband only package), most broadband is delivered to peoples houses via the landline cables so you'd most likely still need to pay line rental.

If it's the latter as I expect, please be aware that the vast majority of broadband connections end up supplied by the physical (landline) cables running into the house. People often wrongly assume that landline = phone when in todays world, this couldn't be any further from the truth. The vast majority of people with broadband only packages will use landline cables, and thus need to pay line rental to maintain these lines.

Generally if you want to avoid line rental all together, you should consider mobile or satelite broadband (though these may not be as consistent or may work out more expensive). The other way would be exploring 'full fibre' options, wherein the fibre connections run to the premises (e.g. Virgin).

The OP stated they are with Virgin already. 

Sorry, you're right, just realised they've said they're with VM.

In that case, I'd bin off the calls. Plenty of good sim deals to be had.

MuckChucker

When I was getting the package from VM 5 years ago, it was cheaper to take the landline. We've never had a home phone connected in this house. I'd expect the price to rise if we removed the phone part. . .

Also, mobile phones these days have a WiFi calling feature, it's been a godsend here as mobile can be patchy of late. Not that there are many actual voice calls, thanks to whatsapp, webex etc. everything is data.

So for research I've just checked, our Bigger Bundle is £39.50pm, the similar plan with just TV and Broadband is £81. I think I'll keep it