[Electronics-Talk] home phone on cell signal

[Chip Orange]

I have nothing against those VOIP services, or against cell phones, but I have worked for years at a state agency which regulates telecom here in Florida, and I just want to remind anyone considering giving up your landline how much extra reliability and security your landline gives you.

In Florida, and most states are like this I believe, landline services are required to function at all times.  This means if the power has been out for a week due to hostile weather, your landline should still be working.  Those companies have massive battery backups, and they'll run generator trucks if their batteries don't make it.  There is no such requirement at all for cell service, and one cell service maintenance man told me most towers will only run for an average of 4 hours without power before they quit.  Then there's your own cell battery; how long will you be using it without a charge?  The same is true if you decide to use VOIP instead of cell or landline, no power means no service, and no legal requirement for them to get it working any time soon.

Then there's the feature of 9-1-1 always being reachable, and always knowing where you are.  This is often not true with cell service, and less so with VOIP.

If the cost is mentioned, and if you're near the poverty level, almost all states have a heavily subsidized price for landline service for those who financially qualify.

I can't think of a reason why I'd give up such a key safety system, especially being blind.

Chip






Chip Orange
Florida Public Service Commission
Computer Systems Analyst
850-413-6314



-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Brad Hodges via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Friday, March 11, 2016 5:51 AM
To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
Cc: Brad Hodges
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] home phone on cell signal

Bryan and all:

I know that both AT&T as well as Sprint offer the service and equipment 
I think you are looking for. The last time I checked, for about $10 
monthly you could get a small box, which resembles a cable modem. It 
interfaces between the cellular network and a conventional land line phone.

I have auditioned both AT&T and sprint, in the store, to check the 
service. I found the quality to be marginal at best. You might want to 
consider Ooma, for a relatively inexpensive land line alternative. I can 
also recommend Voipo as a VOIP carrier.

Brad Hodges




On 3/11/2016 12:42 AM, Bryan Schulz via Electronics-Talk wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Basically I'm interested in letting family use a regular phone without
> paying for the land line bill or extra cell plan charges every month.
> Bryan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Arlene via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2016 10:52 PM
> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
> Cc: Arlene
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] home phone on cell signal
>
> The panisonic phones at walmart have that capability. If I understand right
> from what you're looking for that you want your landline to work along with
> your cell phone. I think it blue toogh's over to your cell phone. It also
> talks the caller id. We really didn't get a close look of what it's all
> about  but it sounded interesting.
>
> Arlene
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bryan Schulz via Electronics-Talk" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> To: "'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'"
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: "Bryan Schulz" <b.schulz at sbcglobal.net>
> Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2016 8:11 PM
> Subject: [Electronics-Talk] home phone on cell signal
>
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> Would someone know if there is such a phone like the regular land line
>> phones that you can just pick up the receiver and dial a number but use a
>> cell phone signal to connect the call?
>> Bryan
>>
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