Today, with the ever-increasing advancements in technology, many people are cutting the cord and getting rid of their landline phone. They are using their cell or smartphone to make those necessary phone calls. Their smartphone can accomplish that and so much more, so some might think, why continue to have a landline? Well, I can give you at least five reasons why I still continue to use mine. Even though I am in my mid-40s, I am a bit old fashioned and thoroughly enjoy my landline phone, and here are the reasons why.
Five Reasons Why I Use a Landline Phone
I can get to my landline quickly and easily. In each room of my town house, I have a landline phone. Two are cordless, and two are connected to a phone wall jack. I have one in the kitchen, one in the bedroom, one in my home office, and one in the living room. No matter where I am in my home I can quickly and easily get to a phone. Whereas with my cell phone, I can’t do the same. For example, if I leave it upstairs in the bedroom, I have to run back up the steps to get it when it starts ringing. Or, I would have to wear my cell phone on my body while moving around the house in order to keep it close to me. In my opinion, neither option is very convenient.
My landline phones have easy to press buttons. All the phones in my home, especially in my home office, have easy to press buttons on the keypad. I don’t have to figure out where the numbers are. I don’t have to figure out how to maneuver call waiting. I have an answering machine option built into my landline phone in my home office so that I don’t have to figure out complicated voicemail boxes. I just press one simple button and listen to my messages, press another to delete, and press another to rewind or fast forward.
I don’t want to be available constantly. I like having some separation between home, work, and cell. If I had just a cell phone, for example, then my personal and business calls would come to the same phone, and it would be ringing too much. I don’t want to constantly be on call all the time. I want to be able to separate home life from work life. The fact that I have a home number and cell number help keep the two separated and my life more balanced.
If my cell phone is lost, stolen, or damaged, I might be up the creek. Fortunately, I have a landline, so I don’t have to worry about this. If something were to happen to my cell phone, I have another phone to make my calls and handle my affairs. For example, if my cell phone were damaged and I needed to ship it off for repairs, what would I do in the meantime? What would be the backup plan to make calls and connect with people?
My home security alarm system is another reason why I still have a landline phone. I know alarm systems can be connected to your cell phones, but they are more expensive. I recently called my company, and they gave me a higher quote for a monitoring service than what I currently pay. In addition, they would have to come out to my home and install a receiver box that would pick up the signal with the cell tower in my area. This is an extra expense. I politely said thanks but no thanks and got off the phone–my landline phone that is.
My reasons for keeping my landline phone are not to persuade you to cut the cord in your own life but to share my personal experience. You have to decide for yourself what works best for your home and family situation. I have looked and weighed the pros and cons, and for now, I have decided to keep my landline phone.
Resources for Using Your Phone
Using the Telephone and Telephone Adaptations for People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
Cell Phones. Tablets, and iDevices
Cell Phones, Tablets, and Other Mobile Technology for Users with Visual Impairments