Cutting the cord.

[mac]

Just got another shock from our cable bill and started thinking how to reduce it. I am considering letting go of our land line for the phone. There seems to be a lot of new options out there. My wife and I both have cell phones. Have any of you done this? If so what did you use to replace it?

 

[Buzzie8]

I tried Vonage first, just so I could keep my number. Had a few problems. Now I have Lingo at both my house and at the wash. Seems to work with no problems so far.

 

[Jim L.]

I got my AT&T home bill down to $23/mo. I eliminated the inside wire maintenance charge, long distance carrier and got it down to bare bones. I’d like to get rid of it too, but my alarm system depends on it.

 

[seattleguy]

Just got another shock from our cable bill and started thinking how to reduce it. I am considering letting go of our land line for the phone. There seems to be a lot of new options out there. My wife and I both have cell phones. Have any of you done this? If so what did you use to replace it?

I keep trying to convince my wife to cancel our landline. We never use it. The only time we get calls are solicitors. She is hanging on to it out of habit. I am with you - there is no reason.

 

[pitzerwm]

There are cordless phones now that have bluetooth and you can place your cell by it and then you have phones through out the house.

 

[Whale of a Wash]

Verizon has a cellphone that plugs into home wiring and works like a home phone. It has unlimited time for under $20- No LDistance, or 9.95 and goes off current minutes and LD included. But will not work for ACW's or alarms. the digital won't relay digital too good.

 

[dirty harry]

My wife and I gave up the land line over three years ago. Never missed it.

 

[mac]

Thanks for the responses. It does look like we can end the land line. My main concern was that if I did it, no one could call information and get my number. But since I haven't been contacted by a stranger letting me know of an inheritance from a long lost relative in a while, it might be time to do it.

 

[pitzerwm]

What would you use for a home security system to call central?

 

[Ghetto Wash]

What would you use for a home security system to call central?

I don't have a phone line at one of the washes. The security co. installed a cell back up that I use as the only comunication. Works fine.

My concern with cutting the land line at home is the fax machine. There are web companies (fax zero comes to mind) that will accommodate this, but I don't have any experience with them so am hesitant to make the leap.

 

[Ric]

I don't have a phone line at one of the washes. The security co. installed a cell back up that I use as the only comunication. Works fine.

My concern with cutting the land line at home is the fax machine. There are web companies (fax zero comes to mind) that will accommodate this, but I don't have any experience with them so am hesitant to make the leap.

The web fax services work fine. I've used efax for years. There are many others to choose from. I actually prefer it over a landline because I can get/send my faxes via email or web from anywhere in the world.

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

This thread prompted me to get rid of my fax line at home which should save me about $40/month. I signed up for 1 of those fax/email services for $70/year. I saved so much money I went out and bought a new 55" led wi-fi tv. In 3 years I'll be even. How's that for a manly rationalization!

 

[pitzerwm]

This tread also made me think about dropping the land line. I had dropped my line two a couple of years ago, switching it to my cell phone. I called my alarm company to see how much a cellular response unit would cost. It would be $150 plus tax, and an additional $7 a month. So it takes me 8 months to break even and then I save $20 a month. I could switch my phone to the primary number, so I don't lose that number, which I have had for 17 years. You can also buy a cordless phone system, that is bluetooth, so you don't need to carry your phone around the house.

 

[Ric]

This thread prompted me to get rid of my fax line at home which should save me about $40/month. I signed up for 1 of those fax/email services for $70/year. I saved so much money I went out and bought a new 55" led wi-fi tv. In 3 years I'll be even. How's that for a manly rationalization!

hmmm...I switched 5 years ago...guess I deserve a new boat

 

[bigleo48]

What would you use for a home security system to call central?

Most security systems are low speed modems and that can be carried over voip phone systems. Mine is wireless (proprietary system).

 

[pitzerwm]

Big, are you saying that all one would have to do is wire your alarm system into your Voip (Magicjack) phone line and it would work as long as you had internet?

 

[bigleo48]

Big, are you saying that all one would have to do is wire your alarm system into your Voip (Magicjack) phone line and it would work as long as you had internet?

It works with my vonage line and my cable providers voip service...so it should. I would talk to the alarm company too.

 

[Ric]

My telephone service is provided thru my cable service, along with internet and tv. My alarm system (ADT) works fine with it.

 

[pitzerwm]

That would be a cheaper option, if it would work with Magicjack, since its $20 a year, rather than $20 a month. I'll experiment.