[Electronics-Talk] home phone on cell signal

Wed Mar 23 16:40:42 UTC 2016

Sounds ok, and we always keep at least one unpowered phone in our house in case of power outtages, but I've lived in Florida my entire life (I'm in my fifties now) and I've never seen, or knew anyone, who had a "melted" phone from lightning.  Electronics which stop working, sure, all the time, but  nothing else quite so dramatic.

Chip

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

-----Original Message-----
From: Jude DaShiell [mailto:jdashiel at panix.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2016 10:45 PM
To: Chip Orange via Electronics-Talk
Cc: Chip Orange
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] home phone on cell signal

I remember when I worked for the Navy we were told after 9/11 to get us 
landline phones that don't use base stations since on 9/11 those were 
the only phones that could get calls through.  These are the traditional 
phones that plug directly into the wall and especially in Florida 
Lightning capital of the United States it's adviseable when you buy 
these phones to buy two and have one on the wall and another in a 
cupboard.  When the Lightning melts your phone on the wall you'll feel a 
huge heat source when approaching it leave it alone until it cools off 
then put the phone that was in the cupboard into the wall plug and see 
if you have service.  After such an episode, it's time to go buy a phone 
for the cupboard so that way you will have a backup phone.

On Tue, 22 Mar 2016, Chip Orange via Electronics-Talk wrote:

> Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2016 16:13:04
> From: Chip Orange via Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'
>     <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Chip Orange <Corange at PSC.STATE.FL.US>
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] home phone on cell signal
> 
> 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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