Odd.............

[Bob Wright]

So I'm a dinosauer, I have a land line telephone. My 'phone has a base set with a lift-off handset. There is a display maybe 4" square. When I lift the handset, the display lights up, and also for an incoming call. About 2:39 a.m. this morning I was awakened by the display suddenly illuminating. There was no indication of an incoming call nor was the handset lifted from the base. Just a sudden glow in the hallway.

I did get up to investigate but could find no reason for the sudden lighting up. It only lasted for a few seconds then went out again.

And sanother peculiarity is that callers get no busy signal if I am on the 'phone when they call. They only get a ringing as if I am not answering. And there is no answer of the anse=wering systerm in such cases.

These 'phones!

Bob Wright

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Good morning, back in the day I had cordless phones that when I placed them on the base after talking, the display would light up later when the battery in handset reached full charge. Maybe that was what activated the light?

 

[gnappi]

My old telco (Southern Bell) got so silly with escalating prices with zero benefits (no free long distance, paid or not free caller ID, no spam blocking and no internet connectivity) it was actually far less expensive to have TWO cell phones (one tracfone) which gives me free long distance, free caller ID, spam blocking, retrieve anywhere messages, AND a 40 GB WiFi hotspot so I not only ditched the telco I cut the internet connection.

I read that AT&T is wanting to kill landlines completely so anyone with one should make other plans like satphone if rural cell service is spotty or nonexistent.

 

[rugerguy]

wow, you are a "light"sleeper ( yes, pun intended),,,,,,just an "electrical intermitant"

 

[Fox Mike]

I read that AT&T is wanting to kill landlines completely so anyone with one should make other plans like satphone if rural cell service is spotty or nonexistent.

AT&T did do away with land lines in my area a coupe years ago. I went with Verizon. I am considering totally eliminating it now that everyone in the house has their own cell phone and number. It truly serves no purpose anymore except it is that it is part of my wife's "Ive fallen and can't get up' equipment

 

[Jeepnik]

From the phone companies point of view, land lines are expensive to maintain (and the infrastructure is getting very old) and they can make more money off of cellphones and bundled services.

Capitalism at work.

 

[eveled]

A lot of places never got land lines. They went from smoke signals and pigeons directly to cell phones.

 

[Kevin]

Bob, so how much is it? Do you have to pay for long distance?

First, is it a true land line? As in, if the internet goes out or the electricity goes out. Does it still work?

 

[bedfordboy]

Verizon Fios wraps our land line, TV and internet together and charges quite a bit extra if I were to drop the land line. Therefore I am stuck with the landline and all the solicitors calling and soon it will be all the SOB politicians too. Most of the time we ignore the home phone if it rings but it will get unplugged soon at least until after the election.

 

[blume357]

I suppose I technically still have two land lines to my house, one is my business line and the other the home line.... but both are on fiber optic cables and so I'm not sure that counts.... our home line is connected to a receiver and four cordless phones but I still keep a regular old touch tone wired phone connected to the home land line.... and of course my office phone is also just a desk phone... but both are hooked to wireless broadband thingamajig's....

 

[Jeepnik]

The mention of no land line got me to remembering. When my dad and uncle built our cabin in Big Bear there wasn't any phone service. Then again there wasn't any electricity either. Even after those were put in we stayed, using today's popular phrase, off grid for some years.

No TV and only a transistor radio, battery of course. I was pretty young so none of that mattered.

 

[Bob Wright]

Bob, so how much is it? Do you have to pay for long distance?

First, is it a true land line? As in, if the internet goes out or the electricity goes out. Does it still work?

Well, to be correct, it is not really like the old land line. It is fiber optic through my computer.
The cost is $24.99/month. I have a base set and two remte handsets, though only use one. I can call anywhere in North America without charge. I do have caller ID, call blocker, and speed dialing. And caller ID is also vocal. There is a svelte voice saying "You have a cal from _____." There is also a feature that will ring the handset if I've misplaced it. Italso answers and has messages. I like the arrangement very well. I dislike cell phones but do keep one for emergency use while travelling. For that I pay $100/year which has been worth it when I needed to call AAA for a flat tire. I can take pictures with my cell phone, but don't know how to download them after takkng them. But I have a camera fro photography. I can connect my cell phone through my Fpord Escape, but I refuse to use my phone while driving.

So I'm an old fuddy duddy.

Bob Wright

P&S: And yes its cabonkers when the power goes out. But then, I do have that flip phone. Somehow, there is supposed to be a way to use the thing during power outages, but it's beyond my ken.

 

[peachhead]

Haven't had a land line in hmmm probably 15 years. Sometimes, I miss the dial tone.

 

[el caminero]

A lot of places never got land lines. They went from smoke signals and pigeons directly to cell phones.

Cb and ham radio, too.

 

[peachhead]

I always wanted to get into ham radio but never did.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

I have had the same land line and phone number for over 40 years now.
I don't have caller ID or an answering machine.
For caller ID , I just pick up the phone and say hello.
As far as an answering machine , call back later.
About the only time it goes out is when someone cuts a line somewhere.
My Mother in Law also still has one . She has had hers ever since phones were invented.

I do have a fancy phone my company gave me that does everything.
It's annoying.

 

[Kevin]

Bob, thanks for the explanation

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

Technology happens. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em...

 

[Bob Wright]

Well, there is a line, a fibber optic cable that runs from a utility pole to my house. Its not copper wire like that was there before, but runs the same way. I still call that a land line.

One advantage to having answering service of some sort: When I am away I can call myself via my cell 'phone and leave me a reminder to do something or go somewhere. Never in all my life before did I ever think I could call myself on the telephone.

Bob Wright

 

[Wyandot Jim]

We have had the same phone (A true land line) for 48 years.
Wife has a smart phone that I'm too dumb to use so Son bought me a flip phone 3 months ago. I have finally learned how to make and receive calls.

"And sanother peculiarity is that callers get no busy signal if I am on the 'phone when they call. They only get a ringing as if I am not answering. And there is no answer of the anse=wering systerm in such cases."

Bob, ours does the same