atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information What would happen if?

I agree this is a good topic.

I don't have a land line, just a cell phone. I'm already paying $50 for the cell, why pay another $50 for a local line? Granted the quality of the cell phone SUCKS (and I can't say that loud enough to AT&T .. who could care less) but I just don't get enough calls to justify the land line.

If the local telco is losing money on POTS lines I have a solution. Supply and demand, right? Uh, lower the price... Better to get $2o than no dollars. I suspect it's not worth it to them though. They (AT&T) are selling more crappy cell phone service than they can support anyway, why bother with landlines?

I tried cancelling my landline for awhile, but the cell service in my area is so bad that it just wasn't worth it. Some days I would have to go out into the street to get reception. I ended up bundling up telephone with my cable service, so I have a digital line coming in.

This causes its own issues with outages, but we save about $50 a month.

Bolts, the reason you don't 'get enough calls to justify a landline' is that your cell number is probably not in any phone directory. Oh, that, and the fact that YOU DON'T HAVE A LANDLINE! (Do you have any idea how hard I fought with my hands while they were typing that last sentence all by themselves? ) John C.

I, too, have digital cable, but use Embarq. The reason I mention this is that my computer, and as a result my MagicJack, keep on working, no matter what kind of cable TV problems I am having! John C.

Or, no one is interesting in calling me... that, and my kids prefer text messaging.

Well, dang, get a landline and I promise I'll call you at least once a week. John C.

I have two cellphones, a voip phone, and a landline all with AT&T. It all gets confusing! Support your local phone company, I do!

I seriously doubt land lines will go away anytime soon for many reasons. Many have been mentioned above ^.

But if my memory serves me correctly wasn't it the big TELCO's that wanted a wireless (cellular) service in the first place?

Is it not a fact that 90% of the troubles TELCO's face is with copper?

Years ago I remember hearing that all subscribers would have a little antenna on our roof top that would do away with copper and the problems that occur with copper.
I think the problem in those days was bandwidth. I think it's safe to say they have overcome that problem since everybody and their brother now have a cell phone.

I think they got their wish. But why are we still paying by the minute? And why can we not go to X-mart and buy a cell phone for what it's worth ( around $10.00) without signing a two year contract?