Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline

From	VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH>
Newsgroups	comp.mobile.android
Subject	Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline
Date	2016-07-20 12:36 -0500
Organization	Usenet Elder
Message-ID	<dv9r4oFjjihU1@mid.individual.net> (permalink)
References	<nmmmkb$q60$1@dont-email.me> <190720162216382247%nospam@nospam.invalid> <nmn8rr$5uq$2@dont-email.me> <dv8q1iFbhpjU1@mid.individual.net> <nmnnfa$j0k$1@dont-email.me>

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Alek wrote:

> My concern is that when we get a storm that knocks out cell service and
> therefore the Internet. The landline has stayed up during all such
> storms so we do not lose contact with the outside world.

Telcos are required to provide their own battery backup at each
substation.  The telco is provided their own power on their twisted pair
(POTS) lines, not your power company.  So when you have a power outage
for whatever reason, the telco still has their battery power but
eventually that will deplete.  I don't know what are the requirements
for capacity regarding how long telcos must provide their own power.

Many cable modems come with a built-in battery.  It probably only keeps
up the voice service (VOIP line) during a power outage since the battery
is too small to keep the entire cable modem powered for very long.  The
internal battery is only good for 4-8 hours of standby time, and even
less if you actually use the phone.  I use a UPS on my cable modem so
Internet and voice stay up during a power outage but it's a battery so
it will eventually deplete.

Having a landline used to make sense as a backup in case of a power
outage (that didn't last longer than the telco's battery capacity).  You
would still have a usuable phone during a power outage.  Nowadays most
computer users have mobile phones; i.e., if you have a computer then
there is a good chance you also have a cell phone.  Cell towers have
their own battery backup, just like the old POTS telcos.  So cell phones
continue working during a power outage.  

http://www.njslom.org/cell-towers-fcc-ruling.html
Like a lot of blogs, the author was too lazy to bother adding a
timestamp to his article.  The gov't doc to which he refers is dated
back in 2007.

http://wirelessestimator.com/content/articles/?pagename=Cell%20Tower%20Backup%20Power

Considering you can get cell phone service for pretty cheap (e.g.,
Tracfone) or even free if you quality (many, maybe all, cell phone
providers carry Lifeline service although sometime under a different
name), it seems unlikely that someone with a computer and a landline
does not also have a cell phone.  Well, if they have a cell phone then
they can dump the landline (POTS) as a backup phone service in case of a
power outage.

Do you not have a cell phone?  You don't even need a cell phone provider
to use one to dial 911.  You can get any cell phone (often found for
just $5 during sales or at a thrift shop) and never bother to buy a cell
phone service but you can still dial 911 for emergencies.  I have one
tossed in my car (an oldie Tracfone although I have no Tracfone service)
just for 911 calls in case my own cell phone is dead or not with me.  I
keep around my old defunct cell phones (flip or bar phones) just to have
them somewhere for 911 calls.  All cell phone carriers (at least in the
USA per FCC ruling) are required to provide 911 service whether you have
a contract with them or not.

https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/911-wireless-services
"The FCC's basic 911 rules require wireless service providers to
transmit all 911 calls to a PSAP, regardless of whether the caller
subscribes to the provider's service or not."

At $100 per year for about 1200 minutes at Tracfone (400 minute card,
triple minutes cell phone, plus often you can get a bonus of more
minutes), a cell phone costs only $8.33 per month.  That is a hell of
lot cheaper (in my area) for POTS service where they claim the cost is
$17/month but with all the added taxes and charges the actual cost is
$26/month.  Plus I get to use the cell phone in more places than stuck
to copper wires at one location (home).  Of course, I don't use that
many minutes so I always end up rolling them over.  When I quit using
Tracfone, I had rolled over around 4000 minutes which thankfully I was
able to transfer to my aunt's account so they didn't just vaporize.

If you cannot afford a cell phone and qualify under federal guidelines
for low income status, you can get both a cell phone along with service
(talk and text only, no data) for free or very cheap; see
https://www.fcc.gov/general/lifeline-program-low-income-consumers.  Look
for a cell phone provider that includes Lifeline service.  One is
Assurance <something> that uses the Verizon network.  Another is
Safelink (operated by Tracfone).  If all you want is emergency calls
during a power outage, any cell phone will do that even without a
service contract.  Don't know where you (Alek) are to know if the
Lifeline or 911 requirement are available in your area.  Other countries
will have differing emergency and financial programs available (or maybe
not at all).

If you have landline (POTS) phone service, you already have more than
sufficient funds to replace it with cell phone service.

Thread

Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-19 19:11 -0700
  Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-19 22:16 -0400
    Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Alek <alek.trishan@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 03:22 -0400
      Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2016-07-20 03:11 -0500
        Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Alek <alek.trishan@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 07:31 -0400
          Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 09:05 -0700
            Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 12:18 -0400
          Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2016-07-20 12:36 -0500
            Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Alek <alek.trishan@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 18:28 -0400
              Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2016-07-20 19:24 -0500
          Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-21 13:58 -0400
          Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline John Carter <me@mymailsvr.org> - 2016-08-19 01:27 +0000
        Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline tlvp <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> - 2016-07-22 03:13 -0400
      Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 09:54 -0400
      Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Ken Blake <Ken@invalid.news.com> - 2016-07-20 08:09 -0700
        Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 11:44 -0400
          Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Alek <alek.trishan@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 18:32 -0400
            Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 18:35 -0400
        Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline VanguardLH <V@nguard.LH> - 2016-07-20 13:03 -0500
  Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Steve Hayes <hayesstw@telkomsa.net> - 2016-07-20 05:59 +0200
    Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 00:26 -0400
      Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 07:55 +0000
        Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 09:54 -0400
          Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Steve Hayes <hayesstw@telkomsa.net> - 2016-07-20 18:36 +0200
          Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 17:46 +0000
            Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-21 21:29 -0400
      Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2016-07-20 09:03 +0100
      Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Chris in Makati <mail@nospam.com> - 2016-07-20 12:53 +0100
        Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 09:54 -0400
    Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 04:16 -0400
      Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-20 10:38 -0400
        Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 10:52 -0400
          Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-20 11:52 -0400
      Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Ken Blake <Ken@invalid.news.com> - 2016-07-20 08:11 -0700
        Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 15:32 -0400
          Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Ken Blake <Ken@invalid.news.com> - 2016-07-20 16:41 -0700
            Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Steve Hayes <hayesstw@telkomsa.net> - 2016-07-21 07:09 +0200
              Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Tim <timothybil@yahoo.com> - 2016-07-21 09:09 -0500
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-21 12:46 -0700
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-21 22:23 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-22 13:51 -0700
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-22 15:09 -0700
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-22 18:23 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2016-07-22 07:47 +0000
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-22 16:42 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline David Taylor <david-taylor@blueyonder.co.uk.invalid> - 2016-07-23 11:42 +0100
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-23 13:28 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-22 13:59 -0700
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline "Percival P. Cassidy" <Nobody@NotMyISP.net> - 2016-07-22 19:08 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-23 00:30 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline tlvp <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> - 2016-07-23 04:00 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-23 06:07 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline tlvp <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> - 2016-07-24 04:17 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-24 08:13 -0700
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline tlvp <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> - 2016-07-24 16:23 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-24 19:24 -0700
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-25 20:14 -0700
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-26 04:29 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-26 09:30 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-26 08:38 -0700
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline David Taylor <david-taylor@blueyonder.co.uk.invalid> - 2016-07-26 17:58 +0100
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-26 15:17 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-26 15:23 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline tlvp <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> - 2016-07-27 02:30 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-27 08:46 -0700
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline crankypuss <undisclosedUserid@gmail.com> - 2016-07-25 07:12 -0600
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-26 04:27 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-26 08:27 -0700
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline tlvp <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> - 2016-07-26 13:40 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-24 11:16 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline tlvp <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> - 2016-07-24 16:27 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-24 16:35 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline tlvp <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> - 2016-07-24 19:38 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-24 20:21 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline "Percival P. Cassidy" <Nobody@NotMyISP.net> - 2016-07-24 22:07 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-24 22:11 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-23 13:35 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-23 15:16 -0700
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-23 23:48 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-23 20:55 -0700
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline tlvp <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> - 2016-07-24 04:22 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-26 15:27 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline tlvp <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> - 2016-07-27 02:38 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline crankpuss <undisclosedUserid@gmail.com> - 2016-07-22 06:34 -0600
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-22 16:41 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-22 14:03 -0700
            Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-21 21:30 -0400
      Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 09:02 -0700
        Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 15:49 -0400
      Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Steve Hayes <hayesstw@telkomsa.net> - 2016-07-20 18:40 +0200
        Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 15:53 -0400
    Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline tlvp <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> - 2016-07-20 05:59 -0400
      Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-20 10:38 -0400
        Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 10:52 -0400
          Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-20 11:53 -0400
            Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 12:18 -0400
              Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-20 12:43 -0400
        Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Ken Blake <Ken@invalid.news.com> - 2016-07-20 08:13 -0700
          Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 11:44 -0400
            Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Ken Blake <Ken@invalid.news.com> - 2016-07-20 11:08 -0700
              Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 14:15 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Ken Blake <Ken@invalid.news.com> - 2016-07-20 12:24 -0700
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 15:47 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Ken Blake <Ken@invalid.news.com> - 2016-07-20 16:42 -0700
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2016-07-25 17:58 +0000
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-25 15:07 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 14:03 -0700
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-20 15:27 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 15:47 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-20 16:07 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Alek <alek.trishan@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 18:31 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Ken Blake <Ken@invalid.news.com> - 2016-07-20 16:45 -0700
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 20:01 -0700
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-21 00:15 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Alek <alek.trishan@gmail.com> - 2016-07-21 02:08 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline tlvp <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> - 2016-07-22 04:04 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Alek <alek.trishan@gmail.com> - 2016-07-21 02:17 -0400
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2016-07-25 17:49 +0000
                Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-25 15:07 -0400
              Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline tlvp <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> - 2016-07-22 03:51 -0400
          Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline tlvp <mPiOsUcB.EtLlLvEp@att.net> - 2016-07-22 03:44 -0400
            Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> - 2016-07-25 17:53 +0000
              Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-25 15:07 -0400
  Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 07:55 +0000
  Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Chris in Makati <mail@nospam.com> - 2016-07-20 12:53 +0100
    Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 09:54 -0400
      Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Chris in Makati <mail@nospam.com> - 2016-07-23 23:38 +0100
        Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-24 11:16 -0400
          Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Chris in Makati <mail@nospam.com> - 2016-07-25 07:32 +0100
            Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-25 10:25 -0400
  Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net> - 2016-07-20 07:04 -0500
    Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 09:54 -0400
    Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Ken Blake <Ken@invalid.news.com> - 2016-07-20 08:16 -0700
      Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 11:44 -0400
        Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Ken Blake <Ken@invalid.news.com> - 2016-07-20 11:08 -0700
    Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 09:09 -0700
      Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline David Taylor <david-taylor@blueyonder.co.uk.invalid> - 2016-07-20 17:29 +0100
        Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-20 12:44 -0400
          Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Chris <ithinkiam@gmail.com> - 2016-07-21 07:45 +0000
            Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline David Taylor <david-taylor@blueyonder.co.uk.invalid> - 2016-07-21 10:41 +0100
            Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline PAS <abc@doremi.net> - 2016-07-21 09:13 -0400
        Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 13:59 -0700
      Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-21 22:26 -0400
    Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Alek <alek.trishan@gmail.com> - 2016-07-20 18:29 -0400
      Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-21 22:28 -0400
  Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline "tb" <nospam@example.invalid> - 2016-07-20 13:41 +0000
    Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-21 22:32 -0400
  Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Gordon Levi <gordon@address.invalid> - 2016-07-21 02:58 +1000
    Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-20 12:59 -0400
      Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-21 22:34 -0400
        Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline nospam <nospam@nospam.invalid> - 2016-07-21 22:38 -0400
    Re: Anybody here who still pays for a landline Micky <NONONObobbyburns1111@gmail.com> - 2016-07-21 22:34 -0400

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