😱 What is your BACKUP when you lose CELL SERVICE?

[SpringIsHereSoHappy]

Gone are the days when a Landline was around.

Gosh, even the Public Telephone Booths have disappeared.

Thanks,

Nicole  👵

[Tempest332]

No, I'm not a shill. They are probably working with a cell carrier in the area, but since a few inquired I thought I'd do that much to look into it, I was curious myself. I was going to go with the AT&T box if I broke ties with my current carrier that's bundled with my internet with VoIP.  I don't care for mobile phones.  A phone in general is kind of a necessary evil even if you have no social ties, you have to do business on occasion.  Why don't you just hang your phone around your neck then?   What are the chances of your cell service being down & you being hurt? 

If I had to pay $30 + / month for a mobile phone like most people I doubt if I'd have one, but what I'm getting it for, & of course I go weeks without using it at all anyway.   

[SpringIsHereSoHappy]

@Tempest332 , life is UNPREDICTABLE and yes T-mobile has had issues like all companies. As I age, commonsense tells me I do need a way to get help IF needed. Nicole  👵

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[*** @Tempest332 wrote:

No, I'm not a shill. They are probably working with a cell carrier in the area, but since a few inquired I thought I'd do that much to look into it, I was curious myself. I was going to go with the AT&T box if I broke ties with my current carrier that's bundled with my internet with VoIP.  I don't care for mobile phones.  A phone in general is kind of a necessary evil even if you have no social ties, you have to do business on occasion.  Why don't you just hang your phone around your neck then?   What are the chances of your cell service being down & you being hurt? 

If I had to pay $30 + / month for a mobile phone like most people I doubt if I'd have one, but what I'm getting it for, & of course I go weeks without using it at all anyway.   ***]

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[Tempest332]

Gee, now how would the telemarketers & scammers call me? 

My mobile phones been off sometimes for a couple weeks, so I wouldn't get too worried, the telemarketers & scammers can call at my pseudo (VoIP) Landline.  

Cell phone is the backup for the Landline.   If it goes down for a few days I'm sure I won't miss it. 

[DirkB349973]

I wish I had an old-school landline. Newer iPhones have the ability to send an "emergency SOS" message using satellite. It's not as easy as a typical call, but it is an option if you are outside with a clear view of the satellites. There is a demo option available in your phone if you care to know more.

[SpringIsHereSoHappy]

@DirkB349973 , I have an Android - does it have this option too? Thanks Nicole  👵

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[*** DIRK @DirkB349973 wrote:

I wish I had an old-school landline. Newer iPhones have the ability to send an "emergency SOS" message using satellite. It's not as easy as a typical call, but it is an option if you are outside with a clear view of the satellites. There is a demo option available in your phone if you care to know more. ***]

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[DirkB349973]

I don't follow Android development so I googled it and found articles about various projects that were working on something similar. I didn't see anything about an Android phone that had a working satellite SOS feature.

[SpringIsHereSoHappy]

Thanks @DirkB349973 !!! I am hoping someone with a LANDLINE will let me know who their provider is. Nicole  👵

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[*** DIRK @DirkB349973 wrote:

I don't follow Android development so I googled it and found articles about various projects that were working on something similar. I didn't see anything about an Android phone that had a working satellite SOS feature. ***]

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[Tempest332]

Why?  I don't think many if any companies will give you a copper landline anymore, & people tend to remove wiring in remodels now. 

[SpringIsHereSoHappy]

I may be wrong @Tempest332 - but I "think" @DirkB349973  said HIS location has them. Anyway, I guess I will need one of those I HAVE FALLEN & CANNOT GET UP buttons 🙄  On the "serious" side - the times T-mobile cell service was OUT, was not long and thank g.d I didnot need an ambulance or fire truck. Nicole  👵

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[*** @Tempest332 wrote:

Why?  I don't think many if any companies will give you a copper landline anymore, & people tend to remove wiring in remodels now. ***] 

[cat0w]

@SpringIsHereSoHappy 

Who is your provider in your area? 

The link below is to my provider. I live in Central Texas.

Phone Home Service | Brightspeed

[SpringIsHereSoHappy]

Good question @cat0w and one I will need to ask. At the moment I am in BOTH Virginia and Florida while I SLOWLY (VERY SLOWLY) move back to Florida. Left Florida in 2015 and NEED to be "closer" to my only child, a daughter as I age. 66 this year and LUV VIRGINIA. HATE FLORIDA. Nicole  👵

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[*** @cat0w wrote:

@SpringIsHereSoHappy 

Who is your provider in your area? 

The link below is to my provider. I live in Central Texas.

Phone Home Service | Brightspeed ***]

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[SpringIsHereSoHappy]

@cat0w   , thank you for responding. Is your landline through a LOCAL company? Mine was through the OLD Bellsouth in Florida. Looks like I need another landline. Nicole  👵

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[*** @cat0w wrote:

I still have my landline phone. My cell phone is with Straight Talk that is now a part of Verizon.  ***]

[cat0w]

My landline is through Brightspeed.

[sc10]

What is landline? Are we talking about "copper wire" or just "home phone". I understand  copper wire is going away in 2025. A lot of so called landline is actually carried by internet.

[cat0w]

@sc10 

My home phone (landline) is connected to the same wiring that is attached to the Utility Pole behind my house. It has been there for over thirty years, if not

longer.

Merriam-Webster definition for landline.

I am a retired fire inspector, have been retired for over sixteen years. The last time I inspected the phone company building all the old switches were gone and only about a fourth of the building held the new computerized equipment.

[SpringIsHereSoHappy]

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[sc10]

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@SpringIsHereSoHappy wrote:

Now that was when I was age 50, will be 66 this year!  😎

You are just a "spring chicken".

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[DirkB349973]

What I miss is the kind that comes in over copper phone lines to your house and does not come through the Internet. Old-school phone lines typically work even when the power is off because the voltage is very low and it comes in over the line. if I had one of those lines, I would have an old Bell telephone that doesn't need to be plugged in to house current. You can still get that service where I live but it costs $40-$50 a month and I'm not willing to pay that.

[SpringIsHereSoHappy]

Okay, so the OLD SCHOOL home phone is still around. Thanks @DirkB349973 , that was my question. I am on my daughter's T-Mobile Cell and Mobile wifi (a tiny unit I travel with) and she is in FLORIDA. I am thinking COX who does the "internet/cable" here in Virginia (I am NOT a customer) probably offers the INTERNET VERSION. Nope, lol - that GOES OUT when their service does. Yes, miss my old Bellsouth Home Phone. Nicole  👵

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[*** DIRK @DirkB349973 wrote:

What I miss is the kind that comes in over copper phone lines to your house and does not come through the Internet. Old-school phone lines typically work even when the power is off because the voltage is very low and it comes in over the line. if I had one of those lines, I would have an old Bell telephone that doesn't need to be plugged in to house current. You can still get that service where I live but it costs $40-$50 a month and I'm not willing to pay that. ***]

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[sc10]

The home phone I have is a internet based VOIP service from OOMA. I am paying abut $6+ per month. My backup for power outage is an UPS battery to run the modem, router and the Ooma box. The internet service usually is active even during a power outage.

[SpringIsHereSoHappy]

.

[cat0w]

I still have my landline phone. My cell phone is with Straight Talk that is now a part of Verizon.

[sc10]

If there is internet service, wifi calling will be the back up for cellular, provided there is a smart phone. Otherwise, the options are very limited.

[SpringIsHereSoHappy]

I am withT-Mobile and feel sorry for the At&t customers with the recent loss of service. Made we think about the OPTIONS and realize I had none. Finally gave up my LANDLINE several years ago when I moved in with my last ex. His house didnot have one.

Anyway, wondering what you guys have in place.  😎