Cell Phones Replace Wired Phones?

[azskyman]

It seems inevitable that cell phone technology will soon replace (not be a substitute for) wired home phones. I realize more and more people are using cell phones for their main phones, but the "traditional wired" phone is reluctant to leave. Directories list the permanent numbers.

In these days where users shop around for great deals on cell phones, keeping the same number is not all that important for a lot of folks.

Will phone books become obsolete for the residential users?

I suspect they will...and perhaps within three years. Any other opinions?

[azsnowman]

I don't think so......I know quite a few ppl who refuse to switch to cellular service. With our business, a cell phone is a must, we've switched to Verizon Wireless, talk about a smokin' deal on service, we very seldom use the land line for calls, only internet, in fact, if we didn't have the internet, there would be no need for a landline in the house.

Dennis

[j]

I haven't had a home phone for almost a year now. No telemarketers....I love it! The only people calling me are people who have my number and want to talk to me (I get about 2 calls a week).

The change was made when we decided to go to a cable modem. In the end, we came out paying less and now had high speed internet access.

[mf_dolphin]

Soon we will have cell phone number portability. That is you will be able to keep your number when you change service providers. When that becomes reality I think you'll see more people switch to cell only service and trash the landline. As far as the phonebook, I think it will stay for quite a while. People will just start listing their cell phone instead of a regular number. This has already been the pattern is a lot of European countries. Time for us to catch up

[j]

Let's not forget Economics! Plain and simple...if you make a lot of long distance phone calls, you can't beat a cell phone. I have SunCom Unplan. $49.99/month for unlimited minutes from my calling area. (which in most cases is about 99% of my calls). If, I go outside of my calling area, I use the 300 "just in case" minutes included in the plan.
So...even if I'm traveling..I have 5 hours of phone time available...more than I'll ever need.

Secondly....convenience. For instance..On the way home from the golf course I can call ahead so my multi course dinner is waiting for me when I get home. Well...maybe a little stretch there.

Seriously though, if you've ever had somebody sick at home, it's nice to know that you can be reached at anytime, anywhere. They provide me with peace of mind, and that is priceless.

[katwood]

If you've ever lived in Boca Raton, Floirda (aka The Cell Phone Capital of the World), you would truly appreciate a wired phone. For those not familiar with Boca Raton, it is a very wealthy city located between Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, you see the funny thing is, "Boca" people don't like ugly high cell phone towers invading their precious beautiful city, ergo.........no towers, crappy signal. Its amazing though how many "Boca" people have cell phones, however talking on them is a nightmare. The signal stays up long enough for you to make phone calls of two minutes or less. If you are in your house, forget it....I can't tell you what lengths I've gone to, to place my phone in a signal friendly spot......so I wouldn't miss that ever so important call.........and don't forget South Florida Building codes.....95% of the homes around here, are concrete block construction which I am not scientifically certain, but I think it explains why in a house the signal is worse than crappy......I have to admit, I love a good land line.....although dollar for dollar, the cell phone probably is cheaper, but I don't see paying for a phone that you can hardly use, as being cheaper. Lets just hope you don't need to call 911 in Boca, on your cell phone......I wouldn't trade my life for free long distance..........

[j]

Kristen....sounds to me like you need to move girl!

[katwood]

I have, and my reception is better. On another note, cell phone prices are wonderful, but when your husband works for someone who demands they use "NEXTEL", and it makes more sense for me then to have a "NEXTEL", because two waying is much easier than the phone.........only problem is, "NEXTEL's" pricing plans aren't that great, I think they are getting better...........but that signal doesn't even work in Boca very well.......

[Guest]

I don't think wired phones will ever be obsolete. For one, you never have to worry about not getting enough signal. Two, everyone in one household can use their home phone. How many people share their cell phones with their whole family? Getting everyone their own cell phone is hardly cost effective. You make a good point about the phone book though. Perhaps one day it will consist entirely of yellow page listing. But thats just my opinion

[CZonian]

The very responses here prove that land lines will be here for quite some time.

Some reasons have already been mention, but the most important is "your perspective". (in my opinion) You hear it in the post.

Example:
Some use dial up internet while others would switch to cable.

I used dial up forever. Then a little deal caused me to switch. Now I have joined the 'broad' band and pay full price for cable and wouldn't go back.

It's hard to convince someone to leave what they know and to see the benefits of another. Everyone has their own views of what they need/want.


And now for my perspective:

Phone books? I left mine at the door when I got internet service, dial up or cable. I see no benefit to them and haven't for years.

I have two cell phones and will get another when my daughter requires it.

I represent a telecommunication company which offers wireless, 2way beepers, and THE BEST landline deal (hint hint), internet, etc.

Land lines will always be available simply because it's a huge market and not everyone is willing to venture into the relatively new world of cell phones.

Cell phones replacing land lines? Nay. Used in conjunction? Absolutely. How many years? At least another 10.

...trippin' down off the soap box now.

[CZonian]

http://msn-cnet.com.com/2100-1037-5100892.html?tag=nl
Interesting article. ...and about time!!

[GalvestonDuck]

I won't give up my landline...at least, not for a while. I don't wear my cell phone every I go and I'd sure as heck hate to have to run through the house just to answer the phone because my cell phone is on my desk charging and I'm upstairs. With a landline, at least you can have several phone in one house.

And if you have a large family, everyone will have to have a cell phone if you give up your landline. Otherwise, if all but one person is out of the house and it's the one without a cell, how are you going to call home?

[wx247]

I love my cell phone (AT&T Wireless) but I still need a landline and I think they have their place, too.

[JCT777]

I love my cell phone but I still need a landline and I think they have their place, too.

Agreed. Plus my cell phone currently does not have voice mail, whereas I have an answering machine for my landline.

[j]

I have been w/o a landline now for the last year and a half, and I like it that way!

[CaptinCrunch]

I have the best of both worlds, I use the cell and the kids use the LL.

[opera ghost]

I suspect that in another 2-3 years our household will be totally wireless. At the moment though- I've had the same phone number since I moved out on my own and I'm not keen on giving it up. We're one of the few stable families in our circle of friends and changing the number would be a disaster. (although not quite as bad as changing email addresses!)

We'll keep the landline for our friends... and in a month or so we'll both have cell lines as well.

[george_r_1961]

I wont name my carrier but i get more minutes than i could ever use well a little over $40 a month. Included is call forwarding..caller ID..three way calling..and voice mail...as well as call waiting. No landline telephone company around here can give me that kind of deal.

[j]

I'll name mine..I have SunCom's Unplan. Unlimited minutes/month for 49.99 from my calling area which is Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson County, and they give you 300 just in case minutes to use anywhere outside that.

[Derek Ortt]

Only the cell phone for me, except when making work related calls, when I use the office phone (do make some with my cell phone though as I do work at home a lot). 39.95 per month for 350 daytime and 2150 nighttime and week-ends, included is free long distance and NO roaming charges. I can use the thing when I travel. Only thing I use a land line for is internet