[Au_Hunter]

Well, I wasn't too sure about dropping Ma Bell and what is now A.T.&T. but we did and it's quick, easy and saves money... moola... cabbage, dinero, that green paper stuff we are lacking at the moment.

but I just noticed a drop in gas prices and a prediction they will come down. Please don't quote me... I just read the title so far.

Now going to cable after working for good ole Ma Bell...

Well, I wasn't too sure. The one downside I can see is that the phone doesn't work if your electricity goes out.

My spouse has an office she works from to reduce costs which requires a second line and we have a wireless modum for our two computers.

It only required a little over an hour for instilation and the installers were as professional, clean and proficient I began longing for a backyard lead, my gaffs, safety belt and hard hat!

They insured everything was working properly and departed...

For us, a savings of $80.00 per month.

I think I can use my cell phone if need be if the electricity goes out.

Check it out and see for yourself. Hey $80.00 goes a long way for meds

[herosshima]

Hey thats cool. I have Time Warner cable and internet but no phone. My wife and I actually use our cell phones instead of paying extra for a home phone. I like Time Warner customer service much better than AT&T.

[Davyl]

Originally Posted by Au_Hunter

Well, I wasn't too sure about dropping Ma Bell and what is now A.T.&T. but we did and it's quick, easy and saves money... moola... cabbage, dinero, that green paper stuff we are lacking at the moment.

but I just noticed a drop in gas prices and a prediction they will come down. Please don't quote me... I just read the title so far.

Now going to cable after working for good ole Ma Bell...

Well, I wasn't too sure. The one downside I can see is that the phone doesn't work if your electricity goes out.

My spouse has an office she works from to reduce costs which requires a second line and we have a wireless modum for our two computers.

It only required a little over an hour for instilation and the installers were as professional, clean and proficient I began longing for a backyard lead, my gaffs, safety belt and hard hat!

They insured everything was working properly and departed...

For us, a savings of $80.00 per month.

I think I can use my cell phone if need be if the electricity goes out.

Check it out and see for yourself. Hey $80.00 goes a long way for meds

I DO have Time Warner Digital Phone also, and I can't complain. I've had it for 3 months now, and there have been absolutely no problems. I love the flat-rate service and no long-distance charges. You are right, I too have saved about $80 per month - which comes in handy for those precious meds we all love.

[Au_Hunter]

Superb...

I'm happy others have "cut the phone cord" so to speak.

As a former employee and cable splicer I know the extent of the copper alone makes standard telephone much more expensive and problematic.

Then add in maintainence costs, a trained employee available 24/7, mucho overtime including triple time, I drove a tower (lift) truck. and eventual replacement costs are included in your bill...

Ever notice how many phone trucks you see on the roads?

The slow death of out dated technology...

[The Urban Spaceman]

if you earthlings don't kill yourselves off any time soon, you should start developing your natural powers. the ones my people built in to your genetic code when we seeded your planet with life in the first place.

in another hundred years or so, you won't need phones at all... your bluetooth devices are gonna merge into your ears, it'll almost be like telepathy!

[BrattonBasher]

The kids, wife, and I just use cell phones now instead of land lines. When we moved to Santa Monica we decided to see if it would work, and it has just fine.

[weedtracker]

ive got vonage, ive had it for amost 2 years now. it kicks ass. with taxes and fees and everything my bill for unlimited phone use is $28.60 a month. you cant even get basic phone company service for that cheap, let alone long distance or call waiting or caller id or any of those additional features.

comcast was trying to do voip for $33 a month! hahahaha what a joke, they had to reduce their price to the same as vonage now. $24.99 a month.

[kanaloa]

Originally Posted by The Urban Spaceman

if you earthlings don't kill yourselves off any time soon, you should start developing your natural powers. the ones my people built in to your genetic code when we seeded your planet with life in the first place.

in another hundred years or so, you won't need phones at all... your bluetooth devices are gonna merge into your ears, it'll almost be like telepathy!

Hey man how did you know what I was going to say??

[WhiteCheech]

As a CA resident, you are not thinking ahead if you are relying on one company for your ability to communicate with the outside world.

And cell phone batteries go dead, so that is short sighted as well.

Originally Posted by WhiteCheech

As a CA resident, you are not thinking ahead if you are relying on one company for your ability to communicate with the outside world.

And cell phone batteries go dead, so that is short sighted as well.

So, what is your best suggestion? I'm sure he would appreciate you paying his land line bill. That would be nice.

[its4:21sryimL8]

Originally Posted by WhiteCheech

As a CA resident, you are not thinking ahead if you are relying on one company for your ability to communicate with the outside world.

And cell phone batteries go dead, so that is short sighted as well.

but hang on a moment, read the disadvantages and then decide so that you fully know what you are getting into. Here are the disadvantages of broadband phone service:
No service during power failure: unlike your regular phone line, broadband phone service depends on electricity and power connections. So if there is a storm, thundershowers or snow and the electricity is out you cant use the broadband phone service.
Emergency calls: in case of any emergency your instinct is to pick up the phone and call 911 and your call will be traced to where you are and help will be sent immediately. But if you are using a VOIP service your location cannot be traced because it uses an IP address, which is not a physical address. This is a major concern among most users and something you should be aware of.
Reliability: your broadband phone service depends on your Internet service. In any event that your Internet connection is slow or not working, your broadband phone service also will not work.
Voice Quality: the voice quality in a broadband phone service is quite poor and one of the main drawbacks of broadband phone service.
Security: another major concern, as with all things using the Internet is security. Identity and service theft are a major concern and so is virus and malware.

i say its a 50/ 50 as far as if i would really rely on internet phone service...

Originally Posted by its4:21sryimL8

but hang on a moment, read the disadvantages and then decide so that you fully know what you are getting into. Here are the disadvantages of broadband phone service:
No service during power failure: unlike your regular phone line, broadband phone service depends on electricity and power connections. So if there is a storm, thundershowers or snow and the electricity is out you cant use the broadband phone service.
Emergency calls: in case of any emergency your instinct is to pick up the phone and call 911 and your call will be traced to where you are and help will be sent immediately. But if you are using a VOIP service your location cannot be traced because it uses an IP address, which is not a physical address. This is a major concern among most users and something you should be aware of.
Reliability: your broadband phone service depends on your Internet service. In any event that your Internet connection is slow or not working, your broadband phone service also will not work.
Voice Quality: the voice quality in a broadband phone service is quite poor and one of the main drawbacks of broadband phone service.
Security: another major concern, as with all things using the Internet is security. Identity and service theft are a major concern and so is virus and malware.

i say its a 50/ 50 as far as if i would really rely on internet phone service...

Most of that info is very old and obsolete...

A $59 UPS will keep a VOIP router up for several days if the power is out.
Plus VoIP providers will automatically forward calls to another number, land or cell if they fail to reach your router.

Maybe you don't know it but most of your land line calls go over the same fiber as "the internet" (except local loops) and have for years.

VoIP providers link your IP with your geographical area's 911. You give them that info when you sign up. It's called E911 service. Even if you can't speak, they know your address.

One last thing: All your calls are more secure than land line (POTS) service. They are 64 bit encrypted. All it takes is a phone headset to listen in to normal POTS phone service.

And cell phones can alway be plugged into a car lighter if the batteries are weak or dead.

So not all is grim.

[Au_Hunter]

Originally Posted by WhiteCheech

As a CA resident, you are not thinking ahead if you are relying on one company for your ability to communicate with the outside world.

And cell phone batteries go dead, so that is short sighted as well.

Hello WC...

Unfortunatly, you assume too much and/or underestimate this poster.

As a native Californian I have taken many steps to insure my safety and ability to survive any natural disaster.

There are solar charges available for anything including cell phones, but personally, having a camper that includes a generator will provide as much AC as I need.

As a former employee with the phone company, now AT&T I am aware of their service limitations too. They rely (or did) upon banks of DC batteries and I know for a fact that they were unable to provide any local service after the first Northridge quake in the early 70's.

Prepairedness requires much thought, planning and options.

Much luv