Is a landline worth the money ????

Forums › VoIP › Is a landline worth the money ????

sir1963

2276 posts

Uber Geek

#220290 3-Aug-2017 16:39

OK, we have 2 phone numbers for historical reasons and have had these ported to VOIP.

All works fine.

HOWEVER, this has me thinking, VOIP is just data, so why am I paying twice for the data.

My partner and I both have cellphones so we could (should ?) kill off the "landline"

We both also use the likes of Skype, FaceTime, Messenger , all voice/video communications and all for free as they are just a part of out unlimited data.

So WHY does a phone number cost $15/month ?

Most months we make 0-2 landline calls and receive 3-4 (wanted) calls.

Anyone else just ditching the landline number and going all cellphone/Skype (etc) ?

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110 posts

Master Geek

#1836716 3-Aug-2017 16:47

Sounds like for you it is not worth it at all.

I personally haven't have a landline since ADSL started to offer naked connections. That was....8 years ago I think? I just use my galaxy for everything.

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sidefx

3639 posts

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#1836719 3-Aug-2017 16:49

Even if you decide to keep them, if you're paying $15 for each number you should change VOIP providers...

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Electric Kiwi | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman

marpada

434 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1836723 3-Aug-2017 16:55

Ditched mine and not looking back

sbiddle

30853 posts

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Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1836724 3-Aug-2017 16:56

sir1963:

So WHY does a phone number cost $15/month ?

Why can't I go into McDonalds and get a free burger because I don't think it's worth the $10 they want for it?

Do you think running a voice network doesn't cost anything? It does..

PhantomNVD

2619 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1836759 3-Aug-2017 18:06

Ditched mine and my wife’s about 3 years ago and haven’t looked back... hers on $30/300mins/1Gb 2Degrees and mine is on the basic $19 with 2degrees. I have about 1000 mins rolled over as I don’t call much at all, but occasionally ‘share’ her data as that’s basically what I use my phone for...

With fibre at home and work, just see what your call time averages per month and buy to match (for WAY less than that extra $30 you currently pay...

nutbugs

263 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1836761 3-Aug-2017 18:12

Yep, ditched the landline years ago. Keeps the spam calls away too.

k1w1k1d

1196 posts

Uber Geek

#1836786 3-Aug-2017 19:20

What about elderly relatives that don't want to call mobile phone numbers for a long chat?

nutbugs

263 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1836824 3-Aug-2017 20:11

k1w1k1d:
What about elderly relatives that don't want to call mobile phone numbers for a long chat?

I call them back if I think that's likely to be an issue.

Wiggum

1199 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1836839 3-Aug-2017 20:35

We still have ours (Well an italk number anyway), would have got rid of it but its still the cheapest option available for those overseas calls.

alasta

6242 posts

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#1836887 3-Aug-2017 22:33

k1w1k1d:

What about elderly relatives that don't want to call mobile phone numbers for a long chat?

Why does it matter to them what type of phone the other party is using? Surely all they have to do is dial the number and speak just like they would if they were calling a fixed line?

DarkShadow

1644 posts

Uber Geek

#1836889 3-Aug-2017 22:38

alasta:

k1w1k1d:

What about elderly relatives that don't want to call mobile phone numbers for a long chat?

Why does it matter to them what type of phone the other party is using? Surely all they have to do is dial the number and speak just like they would if they were calling a fixed line?

k1w1k1d was referring to the fact that on some plans it costs money to dial a mobile.

andrew027

1286 posts

Uber Geek

#1836893 3-Aug-2017 23:02

k1w1k1d: What about elderly relatives that don't want to call mobile phone numbers for a long chat?

This is exactly the only reason we still have a landline. IMO, it's also the best reason to have it disconnected.

PhantomNVD

2619 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1836896 3-Aug-2017 23:17

andrew027:
k1w1k1d: What about elderly relatives that don't want to call mobile phone numbers for a long chat?

This is exactly the only reason we still have a landline. IMO, it's also the best reason to have it disconnected.

QFT... on the other hand, my father in law has a ‘landline’ that actually uses the mobile network to connect and call (aka ‘boatphone’ via VFone... only people who ever ring him on it are his elderly sisters... landlines are definitely ‘growing old’ with the population who still use them...

ANglEAUT

1943 posts

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#1836911 4-Aug-2017 00:57

Wiggum: We still have ours (Well an italk number anyway), would have got rid of it but its still the cheapest option available for those overseas calls.

Fully agree here. Even when using these talk cards or the providers services directly, phoning a land line internationally has always been cheaper than cell phone. That way, we give our family & friends a cheaper option to call us if they are not using data services (FB Messenger / Facetime / Skype / WhatsApp).

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Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1836913 4-Aug-2017 01:38

I have one - but it is a 2degrees landline on mobile connection. $20 per month for unlimited incoming calls. I use it just so I can advertise a landline as well as a mobile number for my business.

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