Landline ....

[Sue]

Before I finally get rid of my landline, is there anything I ought to take into account before it's too late??

[mancity68]

I don't know if this holds true now that most lines are digital but I'd always heard that having an analogue landline in case of a lengthy power cut was a good idea....

[Lowlander]

mancity68 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I don't know if this holds true now that most

> lines are digital but I'd always heard that having

> an analogue landline in case of a lengthy power

> cut was a good idea....

As long as it's not plugged into the mains (like most cordless phones are)

[mancity68]

My dad was a BT engineer and always nags me to make sure we keep a traditional phone!

[Grok]

In a zombie apocolypse a landline would still work.

[Sue]

Lowlander Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> mancity68 Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > I don't know if this holds true now that most

> > lines are digital but I'd always heard that

> having

> > an analogue landline in case of a lengthy power

> > cut was a good idea....

>

>

> As long as it's not plugged into the mains (like

> most cordless phones are)

Yeh mine is plugged into the mains .....

[Alan Medic]

May not matter to you Sue but I believe credit ratings are affected by not having a landline.

[dbboy]

Go with the Post Office, probably one of the better suppliers and deals around. I switched to them from BT and prices are good, premium broadband gives about 6mbps which is sufficient and also cost wise good value.

[Sue]

Alan Medic Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> May not matter to you Sue but I believe credit

> ratings are affected by not having a landline.

I would probably be OK because I've been at the same address for years, but worth bearing in mind, thanks.

[Sue]

dbboy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Go with the Post Office, probably one of the

> better suppliers and deals around. I switched to

> them from BT and prices are good, premium

> broadband gives about 6mbps which is sufficient

> and also cost wise good value.

I'll check it out I'm presently with Plusnet and on some annual deal which is coming up for renewal, hence checking out options.

But think I can't get rid of Landline unless I change to fibre thing? Technologically challenged :D

[DulwichFox]

I don't make many calls but the ones I do are often long calls where you go 'Option Hunting.. '

The ones where you get.. 'Your call is in a Queue.....' , ' You are number 7 in the Queue.'

Some of these calls are Free or Local rate from a land line but not from a mobile..

Also... You lose your phone.. or it gets stolen.. You get home and need to report it.. ??

You have lost your signal need to make an urgent call.. ???

I would never be without my landline..

Foxy.

[Loz]

Sue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> But think I can't get rid of Landline unless I

> change to fibre thing? Technologically challenged :D

Yep - only V*rgin will allow you to have broadband without a landline, because all the rest use the landline infrastructure. Well, and mobile broadband dongles, but I suspect that's not what you want.

[redfan]

I thought that you needed to have a landline to get broadband. I wouldn't be without my landline anyway even though I tend to use my mobile more than the landline these days.

With reference to the Fox's comment about Freephone numbers not being free on mobiles I am with Three Mobile and Freephone numbers (0800 ones) are indeed free.

[Pugwash]

if you are elderly or disabled and need a pendant alarm - this will only work from a land line. You can get ones to weok with mobiles but you need to buy a separate SIM card and top up regularlt

[Sue]

Pugwash Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> if you are elderly or disabled and need a pendant

> alarm - this will only work from a land line.

Not quite there yet :))

I thought 0800 numbers were now free to dial from all mobiles?

As regards hanging on for ages, I had two recent calls made from my landline where the battery ran down before the call was finished because I was kept waiting so long.

[LondonMix]

I'd keep one. Mobiles get smashed and stolen. Not being able to make a call under that already stressful situation is enough reason to keep one. I don't live alone but if you do, I'd say that its even more important.

[DulwichFox]

Sue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Pugwash Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > if you are elderly or disabled and need a

> pendant

> > alarm - this will only work from a land line.

>

>

> Not quite there yet :))

>

> I thought 0800 numbers were now free to dial from

> all mobiles?

>

> As regards hanging on for ages, I had two recent

> calls made from my landline where the battery ran

> down before the call was finished because I was

> kept waiting so long.

I checked 0800 from E.E. and it would seem calls are now indeed Free..

Changes to numbers starting with 084, 087, 09 and 118

As well as the Freephone changes, there are some changes to the way EE charge for 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers:

08 numbers are typically used for banks, utility companies, customer helplines, government departments and voting in TV shows

09 numbers are typically used for premium rate services

118 numbers are used for Directory Enquiries services

Charges for these service numbers will be split into two parts:

the Access Charge ? this is how much EE will charge you per minute for making the call

the Service Charge ? this is the charge that is set by the company who is providing the service

There you go.. Clear as mud..

Foxy

[Sue]

LondonMix Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I'd keep one. Mobiles get smashed and stolen.

> Not being able to make a call under that already

> stressful situation is enough reason to keep one.

> I don't live alone but if you do, I'd say that its

> even more important.

That's true.

I once had both my purse and mobile stolen (my own fault) and I would have been pretty stuffed if I couldn't call my bank etc. when I got home.

[Sue]

DulwichFox Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

>

> As well as the Freephone changes, there are some

> changes to the way EE charge for 084, 087, 09 and

> 118 numbers:

>

> 08 numbers are typically used for banks, utility

> companies, customer helplines, government

> departments and voting in TV shows

> 09 numbers are typically used for premium rate

> services

> 118 numbers are used for Directory Enquiries

> services

> Charges for these service numbers will be split

> into two parts:

>

> the Access Charge ? this is how much EE will

> charge you per minute for making the call

> the Service Charge ? this is the charge that is

> set by the company who is providing the service

>

>

> There you go.. Clear as mud..

>

Seems quite clear to me :))

[Loz]

Sue Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I once had both my purse and mobile stolen (my own fault) and I would have been pretty stuffed if I

> couldn't call my bank etc. when I got home.

If your broadband is working, you can always use Skype!

[Gerrard]

Hi Sue,

I haven't had a landline for over ten years now and have not missed it. I must have saved a small fortune in line rental and other associated (unnecessary) charges, but the best thing is I have not been disturbed at home by unwanted sales calls or phishing attempts.

I think mobile phones generally seem to be getting cheaper to own, particularly if you keep an eye on when the contract expires and you can go SIM-only (so many people I know don't do this and continue to pay contract fees).

I say take the leap, I am sure you wont regret it.

[DulwichFox]

Loz Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Sue Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > I once had both my purse and mobile stolen (my

> own fault) and I would have been pretty stuffed if

> I

> > couldn't call my bank etc. when I got home.

>

> If your broadband is working, you can always use

> Skype!

Yes you can use Skype if you have set up an account and paid credits. Skype is only free if you are calling some one

else that has Skype set up..

You also need a microphone and speakers set up or a Skype phone.. What a pain all that is..

DulwichFox

[Loz]

DulwichFox Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Yes you can use Skype if you have set up an account and paid credits. Skype is only free if

> you are calling some one else that has Skype set up..

No, you can ring freephone (0800) numbers too.

> You also need a microphone and speakers set up or a Skype phone.. What a pain all that is..

Most laptops these days have these built in.

[Sue]

Loz Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Sue Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > I once had both my purse and mobile stolen (my

> own fault) and I would have been pretty stuffed if

> I

> > couldn't call my bank etc. when I got home.

>

> If your broadband is working, you can always use

> Skype!

That's true, though I've only ever used it once and then I had to phone the person concerned first to make sure she was expecting the call :))

It was when my grandchildren were staying :))

[Lowlander]

We have a landline (needed as part of broadband) but nothing plugged in for 5 years now.

Yes, you could lose your mobile or be robbed; but without wishing to belittle muggings, the likelihood is very low.

If you have a mobile with inclusive calls then 03 and 08 numbers are included.

That said, it may help with credit ratings. And the sound quality is better than mobiles.

But 5 years later never missed it (although we could plug it in if we wanted)