QOTW: Do you still make calls from a landline?

by Parm Mann on 23 September 2016, 16:31

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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.



HEXUS Forums :: 54 Comments

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I mainly receive calls on my internet connection line. Have considered unplugging the handset.

“Hello, this is Microsoft technical support. Our systems are showing that your computer has a virus”. Yeah, your mum has a virus…
Have two handsets at home and a landline on my desk.
Friends and family have the home number, as does BT, but no-one else is allowed as we don't like getting randomly auto-dialled, sales-pitched or even faxed. I pay the bill currently, but the Mrs is about to get shouted at for several recent 4-hour conversations!!

It actually annoyed me that I got a company mobile, because I'm now required to always ensure it is on and fully charged… I have the habit of accidentally leaving it on silent for weeks after a meeting, though!
It also means everyone calls me on that mobile, so I have to contend with attrocious sound quality and signal problems from two ends, rather than them phoning me with perfect clarity on my desk landline… from their own landline!!

I only wish we still had rotary dial phones!!
I'm an old stick-in-the-mud when it comes to phones. I make all my calls on the landline, almost always unmetered calls to other landlines. I use my, very basic, mobile so infrequently that I have wipe away the dust and cobwebs first.
No, got rid of ours 5yrs ago when we went Wimax for the internet.
Yes I do, even though I have both mobile and landline.