Many people are looking for ways to stretch their budget and are focusing on the cell phone versus landline debate. Find out about the important factors that you should consider when making this decision.
Technology has changed many things in our lives and the way we talk on the phone is one of them. More people than ever are using their cell phones to make their phone calls instead of their home phone. Some have even started using Skype or a VoIP service.
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Even when people have both a cell phone and a land line, cell phones are getting much more usage.
Since it is easier to get a hold of someone via their cell number, people are making that the number they call first instead of using the landline number.
This has stirred the debate about whether you even need a land line these days. Consumer Reports says that nearly 25% of the homes in the United States have already settled the cell phone versus landline debate – they no longer have a land line.
2Comfort With Technology
This is largely age based, but the comfort you have with technology should be factored into the cell phone vs landline decision.
If you are completely comfortable with the electronic world, this isn’t a significant issue. However, your parents may still be a little concerned about losing the comfort of their landline. For their peace of mind, removing the landline might not be a great option.
3Having Multiple Phones in the House
One big benefit of using landline phones is that there are several in the house. Instead of having to run through the house when your phone rings, you usually have a cordless phone that is already in the same room you are in.
4Reception
Poor reception can sometime be an issue to consider in the cell phone versus landline debate. When you are using a landline, this isn’t an issue. However, a cell phone can sometimes force you to go outside or stand near a window in order to get great reception. You also have the issue of dropped calls to sometimes deal with.
5911 Calls
911 calls were a big problem when people first started having the cell phone versus landline debate.
When you call 911 from your landline, the operator immediately knows your location.
The early calls to 911 from your cell phone didn’t have this advantage. If you weren’t in a position to speak coherently to the operator, they may not have been able to determine your location.
This issue has been largely resolved as the 911 systems have updated to reflect changing technology. However, the fact still remains that there are still times when the 911 operator can’t identify the location based upon a cell phone. Calling 911 from a cell phone instead of a landline is still a risk, but it’s a much smaller risk than it used to be.
6Disasters
Dealing with disaster type events is another situation you should think about during your cell phone versus landline discussion. If something unfortunate happens, everyone will be on their cell phones, and this frequently jams the lines.
7Cost
If you’re looking for a way to trim your budget, removing your landline is a great option. In many cases, this can cost you between $20 and $50 per month, for a service that you don’t use anymore.
8Lan Line or Landline
We can’t finish with this topic without addressing the lan line or landline debate. Although people refer to their home phone by using both of these phrases, it’s accurate to call it a landline.
9 Factors to Consider
There is no “right” answer in the cell phone versus landline debate. It all depends on how comfortable you are with taking a small risk.
In the unlikely event that something happens and you need to call 911 or there are jammed phone lines, you are taking a risk by not having a landline. However, you are also saving money every month if you remove your landline too. It’s all up to you.
What Do You Think?
Are there other factors that should be considered when thinking about a cell phone versus landline?
If you have friends who are thinking about this issue, forward this article to them.
