How to Survive With No Landline Phone

Some households have chosen to give up their landline phones in favor of cell phones and voice over Internet protocol, or VoIP, phones. Giving up a landline offers households the opportunity to reduce one more bill, as well as take advantage of all of the features that other phone service types provide, typically at a lower cost, such as long distance, call waiting and voicemail. However, some households are hesitant to give up a landline phone because of fear of the unknown.

Step 1

Switch over to a broadband Internet connection. Dial-up requires you to use your phone line to access the Internet. While a digital subscriber line service, or DSL, requires a phone line, it often does not require phone service to be present. Other types of Internet connections, such as cable and satellite, do not require a landline phone line to operate.

Step 2

Purchase a cell phone or VoIP service to use for phone calls. These services typically include free long distance and offer users the option of taking their phones anywhere. Cell phones can be purchased with no roaming charges to allow users to take them anywhere for no additional charge. VoIP service can also be used anywhere you have broadband access to the Internet.

Step 3

Upgrade to a family plan for your cell phone service if you have multiple members of the household. When you use a cell phone only, each person is likely to need their own cell phone, even children. Young children, though, typically do not require one because they are with someone else at all times.

Step 4

Reduce the amount of time you spend talking on the phone, especially if you are using a cell phone instead of a landline. Cell phones charge is based on minutes used so you may need to cut back if you get rid of your landline. However, you can still use other means of communication, such as email and texting. If you think you might need more minutes, increase your plan.

Tip

• Some people wish to keep a bare minimum landline for use in case of an emergency.

References

• Bankrate.com; Should You Give Up Your Landline Phone?; Lucy Lazarony; September 2003
• The Dollar Stretcher: Cutting the Landline

About the Author

Kimberly Turtenwald began writing professionally in 2000. She has written content for various websites, including Lights 2 You, Online Consultation, Corpus Personal Injury and more. Turtenwald studied editing and publishing at Wisconsin Lutheran College.

Photo Credits

• Polka Dot RF/Polka Dot/Getty Images