I had an unexpected call from my mother this week, who wanted to know why she wasn't able to reach me on my landline. When I told her that I'd unplugged the phone many months ago, she first reacted with a sense of bewilderment - why on Earth would you disconnect the phone? - and then eventually became quite cross - what if we needed to get in touch with you in an emergency?
The fact that my mobile phone is always with me, and always on, didn't manage to placate her, yet I'm loathed to bring the BT handsets out of the loft as I've gotten accustomed to being able to enjoy dinner without being interrupted by a sales call.
I still pay line rental in order to receive broadband at home, however I can't remember the last time I actually dialled out from anywhere other than my mobile. The landline is solely an Internet delivery mechanism, but the conversation with mum - whose line is usually engaged - did highlight an age divide between a younger generation who wouldn't know how to use a rotary dial and older folk who still see the landline as an essential part of everyday life.
An interesting topic now that practically everyone has a mobile, so for this instalment of the question of the week, let us ask: do you still make calls from a landline? Share your thoughts using the comments facility below.
