😱 What is your BACKUP when you lose CELL SERVICE?

[SpringIsHereVA]

Gone are the days when a Landline was around.

Gosh, even the Public Telephone Booths have disappeared.

Do YOU have a way to make and receive calls "especially" during an emergency IF you LOSE CELL PHONE SERVICE? ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌🤔‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

If YES, what is it...

[1] Some comments have suggested using their Landline, yes - I guess some locations still have them.  ‌‌‌‌‌‌👍‌‌‌‌‌‌

[2] I have posted two suggestions I located on the Internet. Any OTHER SUGGESTIONS or feedback on ones suggested?

Thanks,

Nicole ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌👵‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌

[SpringIsHereVA]

No @Tempest332 , the ad had all that when clicked. Nicole  👵

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[*** @Tempest332 wrote:

Did you ever inquire on pricing? ***]

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[Tempest332]

I had to google the company, it wanted me to fill in personal info, said it was available in my area, but not at what cost.  

Looking at that ad, I believe that is a box similar to what AT&T, I see a signal bar indicator too. 

Cost may be different in different areas. 

[SpringIsHereVA]

@Tempest332 , I have NOT seen the Ad AGAIN in my Google News feed or I would "click" AGAIN. I seem to remember they LISTED several LEVELS of service and you had to "check" for service at YOUR location.

I NO longer enter my address, phone number or email = MORE spam!

In the OLD DAYS, I would enter a FAKE address, phone number and email address.

Lol, NOW their website can tell IF info is valid. Nicole  👵

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[*** @Tempest332 wrote:

I had to google the company, it wanted me to fill in personal info, said it was available in my area, but not at what cost.  

Looking at that ad, I believe that is a box similar to what AT&T, I see a signal bar indicator too. 

Cost may be different in different areas. ***]

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[Tempest332]

Called Community Phone (one word)

Not sure if they want me posting a link here, but I'll try. 

Community Phone 

If they are indeed legit, might be a good reference, per the picture there I believe that is a Cell conversion box, you would need a power backup for it to work with the power down like a true landline. 

[SpringIsHereVA]

@Tempest332 , did they "hire" you/lol 😂🤣

On the "serious" side, I am leaning towards @DirkB349973 "suggestion" of the MEDICAL NECKLACE... Nicole  👵

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[*** @Tempest332 wrote:

Called Community Phone (one word)

Not sure if they want me posting a link here, but I'll try. 

Community Phone ***]

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[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.   

[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.

[SpringIsHereVA]

@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.

[SpringIsHereVA]

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. 

[cat0w]

@SpringIsHereVA 

Who is your provider in your area? 

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

Phone Home Service | Brightspeed

[SpringIsHereVA]

@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.

[SpringIsHereVA]

(Nicole deleted her comment)

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[sc10]

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@SpringIsHereVA 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.

[SpringIsHereVA]

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.

[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.