Totally wireless
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
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Totally wireless
Am thinking about having my home telelphone service terminated (hard line) and going totally wireless using our cell phones. My wife and I each have a cell phone and are trying to determine the pro's and con's before making a decision. We have a total freedom plan right now with Alltel, no roaming charges, but know that we would have to increase our minutes and some of the features. What are the good and bad characteristics concerning this idea? I know that I can get straight, unbiased opinions on this site, so would appreciate the expertise. Talking to the wireless provider, you only get their version. I am interested in hearing both sides. 
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 916
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From: SouthWest Ohio
I dumped my second hard line at home, but kept the first one even though my wife and I have seperate cell phone numbers. We have phones in just about every room of the house, including the basement and garage. We'd lose that if we were just wireless. Plus I use the hard line for the computer and fax.
MR
MR
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,428
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From: Summit, NJ
I've considered it a few times. Seems like a good concept. The only thing you lose is having alot of phones around in the house.. which I still like to have. Otherwise, if you left your cell phone in another part of the house, it would be a real scramble versus reaching over and picking up a phone.
Something else I have been looking at is Voice over IP. Some of the cable companies are offering this. You lose the regular landline phone lines and convert to a different kind of router / cable modem. Your phone calls now go out over the internet. I've used this technology and it sounds VERY good. You can call anyone in the country just like a regular phone call. They don't have to have this service. The best part is.. you pay one monthly price - unlimited calling to anywhere.
Something else I have been looking at is Voice over IP. Some of the cable companies are offering this. You lose the regular landline phone lines and convert to a different kind of router / cable modem. Your phone calls now go out over the internet. I've used this technology and it sounds VERY good. You can call anyone in the country just like a regular phone call. They don't have to have this service. The best part is.. you pay one monthly price - unlimited calling to anywhere.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Topeka, Ks.
I too have concidered this. The only thing I could think of is that you will no longer be listed in your local phone book. Not this is a bad thing! I keep my cell phone with me up until i go to bed due to my job. I would not miss the phone in every room thing because I seldom use the hard line. The cable modem thing is a good idea as well. I don't believe our local cable co. does this though our current phones line is on our cable network.
Mark
Mark
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Joined: Feb 2004
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My wife and I were totally wireless for three years. We would still be that way but since we have children now, we needed to have a landline for babysitter so if somthing happened while we were out they could contact us or dial 911 if needed.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 170
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From: KS
Originally Posted by JDaddy
My wife and I were totally wireless for three years. We would still be that way but since we have children now, we needed to have a landline for babysitter so if somthing happened while we were out they could contact us or dial 911 if needed.
will dial & connect to a 911 number.
A cell phone dealer here told me that he sells
old bag phones (not activated) for people to
put in their cars for an emergency.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,292
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From: NJ where fun comes to die
I keep mine for a fax line. I know you can fax to a computer, but I think it has to be on all the time to do it????? And I use a laptop and don't want to leave it on. Otherwise I would go wireless.
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2004
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Totally Wireless for 3 years
We have been totally wireless for the last 3 years and its really not bad at all. We have Comcast digital internet so we have no need for a phone line. Verizon has a family share plan so we each have our own phone line and share the minutes, free long distance, loads of features included in the plan, call waiting, messages, free long distance, etc. Just carry the phone with you and you don't need one in every room. The biggest drawback is that you can't use the phone for hours of mindless babble which some people find hard to do. Say what you need to and hang up, unless its between 9pm and 6am or Sat & Sun and then minutes are unlimited. If you (or your wife) are longwinded then you can get a plan with more minutes but it will cost you more $$$$$. Just try not using your hard line phone for a month or two and see how the cell works for you before you dump the hardline.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
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Appreciate all the insight and experiences. It has provided me an opportunity to make a decision that is "right for me". Althought each of the suggestions/experiences were excellent, I think the "trial period", suggested by jamesemery728, provided a good avenue before terminating my land line. Thanks to all. 
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