frontline

I've had at least a couple of friends that have discontinued their long distant service and opted to use their cell phone for all long distance. We haven't disconnected our long distance, but we do stick with cell phones to make our long distance phone calls and noticed a great difference in our monthly phone bill.

hotshot

by "great difference in our monthy bill" do you mean it's cheaper or more expensive?
It almost seems pointless to use a lanline to make a long distance call when you have a cell phone, seeing as how (if you're not in peak minutes or roaming) it's free. my mom keeps her long distance lanline. i should ask her why and re-post.
do you have to pay monthy for long distance, or is it a kind of pay-as-you-go kind of thing?
if it's pay as you go i guess i probably would probably keep the lanline..
blah.

frontline

I meant that it's cheaper (for us) to use our cell phones for long distance than our land lines. We live in the sticks, so virtually everything from a call to the doctor to a call to my in-laws is long distance. We were paying nearly $100 in long distance calls until we got smart and decided to use our cell phone. Our package is much less than $100, and we just try to utilize it during the free hours (evenings and weekends) when we know we have to make potentially long-lasting calls (i.e. my inlaws).

gizmokid999

I wonder if the long distance providers will get the drift that they are losing customers and lower their rates for the service. We're currently charged .15 a minute for a long distance call on our land line. We can't discontinue the service because there are times when we need the line and there are also times when the cell signal is sketchy. I hate those dropped calls or the "dead" spots due to the land's terrain.

hotshot

We did actually cancel our long distance so we could use our cell phones. Our reason was more because we were paying money for having the long distance service that we weren't using every month or using very little of. The people you live far away have recently moved or are family, so it's easier just to use their cell phones, especially if there cell phone numbers are local also. I know a few people who don't even have landline service and just use a cell phone. The only thing with that is if there is an emergency and your cell phone doesn't work.

gizmokid999

One thing to remember about keeping a land line active: that is the method of locating you when you dial 911. 911 addresses are based on the telephone number that is calling in, so if it's a cell number, no address will be automatically available. Then the first responder needs to ask for an address and sometimes the caller is unable to give it.

frontline

I used to alway think I would like to cancel my land line service but now my husband's company pays for our cell phones and the bills. So I figured that it maybe wouldln't be too fair to cancel. I'm glad I didn't cause I never thought about the 911 thing. We do live out in the country so maybe I'll jut keep it for that reason.

hotshot

I think I would always keep a landline phone available. If there is an emergency, you have a landline that will work, versus you cell phone that might not, depending on location. Also, during a storm or if a cell phone tower gets knocked down, you are out of service until it is fixed. Who knows how long that can be. Though 911 systems are starting to be able to locate cell phone users, with a landline it's ok if you don't know where you are. I guess if your area doesn't have 911, then no matter what, you have to know where you are at all times when you call for help.

gizmokid999

I have both. It helps to keep me from going over my minutes on my mobile phone. It's also good to have in an emergency. If you call 911 and then have to hang up or are unable to speak, they know from the phone number where you are and come to help you. I know a lot of people who don't have land lines any longer and it seems to work for them, but I feel safer to have them both.

frontline

It's important to remember the 911 information. I read recently that many VoIP that are becoming popular do not allow 911 usage. When you live in the sticks, like we do, I would think it's important for the ambulance to know which gravel road to turn onto.