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Original poster

Do you still have a landline?

106 replies

TheyNicknamedHerTheBolter · 31/08/2024 11:36

Mindless Saturday wonderings.

So last night I spent about an hour on the phone to an elderly relative.

She mentioned that she was sat in her chair and could see out of the window, while I was on my mobile using one hand to hold the phone and the other to clear the absolute hurricane of toys that my DC has spread throughout the house, load the dishwasher and wipe the kitchen sides.

I tend to do lots while I'm on the phone because I like to walk and talk, but remember (when I was a teen at home) having only a landline when it was a case of stand still, talk, do nothing else. Ours wasn't even near a chair so we would be stood, twirling the cord around, chatting.

Me and DH had a landline in our first home 15 years ago but has the ringer turned off.

I'm just being nosey.... so you still have one? And if you do, can you sit down by it?! I suppose the aibu is 'to only have a mobile' 🤣

OP posts:
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Member984815 · 02/09/2024 09:50

No not for years now. I could still recite the number though

Fahran · 02/09/2024 09:42

We have one. The mobile phone signal isn’t reliable where we live so people use it when they can’t get through on that. I also find the number useful for online forms that insist on a phone number before you can submit. The call blocker stops the inevitable spam.

Panama2 · 02/09/2024 09:20

We have digital landline telephone for FIL otherwise we would get rid.

Elphame · 02/09/2024 09:07

Makingchocolatecake · 31/08/2024 22:08

Everybody has a landline for their broadband, but I think OP is asking if people have an actual phone connected to it.

Show quote history

Mine is now data only with fibre to the house. We do not pay the extra for a voice package.

AndyPandyismyhero · 01/09/2024 07:38

We still have a landline. Only really use it now to keep in touch with elderly relatives. A couple of them don't understand they can call a mobiles from their landline, or their package doesn't include calls to mobiles and the cost for them to call us is prohibitive. To be honest, given their age we said when we recently renewed our BB package that next time , we will probably be able to ditch the landline phone as our relatives are unlikely to be here by then 😞

Orchidgrower · 31/08/2024 22:54

Still have one here, doesn't cost much on top of the broadband package. My elderly mum knows the number and I am her main carer, so I'd hesitate to get rid of it for that reason. We do have a call screening function so that we avoid the scam calls. I also like the fact that I have 4 cordless handsets around the house, I don't want to always be carrying my mobile phone around the house and wouldn't hear it / get to it in time if I am upstairs and it is downstairs (3 storey house). It annoys me that we tell the schools etc. to call the landline first, because someone is nearly always home, but they call my mobile first.

Floatlikeafeather2 · 31/08/2024 22:22

We do have one (2 handsets, so each in different parts of the house) because it was part of the internet package already set up in the house (new build). I give my mobile number as my contact number without exception but if I'm the one making the call and I'm settling down for a good long chat, I find the house phone handset easier to hold than I do my mobile. I also often take it down to the seat at the end of the garden. I don't know why you think you have to be tied to the wall, OP.

Makingchocolatecake · 31/08/2024 22:08

alwaysmovingforwards · 31/08/2024 11:41

I think I technically have one for to the broadband?!? I’m sure on the paperwork it had a number. No idea though, haven’t ever had an actual phone plugged into it 😂

So I guess the answer is no, not for the past 20 years or more at least.

Everybody has a landline for their broadband, but I think OP is asking if people have an actual phone connected to it.

MellersSmellers · 31/08/2024 21:57

Had one until about a year ago as it was a condition of my DH going full remote working, although it added quite a bit ro the broadband package. The only people who phoned on it were my elderly Dad and double glazing salesmen!

NorthernKitty · 31/08/2024 21:52

Yes with the broadband package. I used to call it the auntyphone as the only people who ever rang it were our aunties. But DH’s aunty has dementia now, and my aunty phones me on WhatsApp nowadays.

Remember when your get sales calls and scam calls on the landline? Not even those anymore.

Brahumbug · 31/08/2024 21:45

No landline for several years as the 5G signal is excellent and we use a MIFI router for the internet, which gives us 300mbs download speed!

parkrun500club · 31/08/2024 20:48

Riapia · 31/08/2024 12:52

I need my landline to find my mobile, I lose it regularly.
😉😁😁.

Fortunately I have a work mobile too so I use that to call my personal pone when I lose it Grin

pilates · 31/08/2024 20:46

No, got rid of it last year.

parkrun500club · 31/08/2024 20:44

Technically yes but I don't have a phone plugged into it.

Faceplantagain · 31/08/2024 19:57

Yes - I have a landline. The only people who phone me on it are my elderly aunt, but I do phone out on it occasionally as I'm freelance and one of my contracts involves a lot of phone calls, and my mobile signal is a bit erratic. So, basically, it's a back-up. It's quite an expensive option with my current provider, so I suspect I'll probably drop it in a couple of years.

UmopapIsdn · 31/08/2024 19:49

Yes, because I don’t have a mobile phone!

DH has a mobile but often uses the landline as the signal is poor here and the call drops often.

Clarabellasingsthisbit · 31/08/2024 19:47

Yes,we still have ours as part of the broadband package.The phone is unplugged and never,ever used because there is no need for it;mobile call allowances are sufficient to cover any calls we make.
However,the handset is still on a shelf near to the socket and could still be connected up quickly in an emergency

susiedaisy1912 · 31/08/2024 19:23

No I haven't had one for about 8 years

Snowdropsarelovely · 31/08/2024 19:21

Yes because my mobile signal at home is rubbish !

muddyford · 31/08/2024 19:20

Yes, it's used for at least an hour a day, chatting to various friends and relations. Mobile signal for speech is absolutely useless as we are in a valley.

TorturedParentsDepartment · 31/08/2024 19:17

Psychoticbreak · 31/08/2024 13:12

Yes and its sole purpose is for me to locate the mobile when they kids are not home cos I lose it twenty times a week.

That's the main use for my Apple Watch - it pings my phone when I can't find it.

As for landlines - I'd like to have one, but when we moved here and got fibre broadband - they no longer offer one unless you pay for a VOIP one which we didn't see the point of doing.

HoppityBun · 31/08/2024 19:08

Yes because the mobile signal can be unreliable and slow it’s useful to have two ways to call ; receive

LlynTegid · 31/08/2024 19:05

Yes. Part of my broadband package.

Ponderingwindow · 31/08/2024 19:01

No, gave it up on about 2002.

current home doesn’t even have phone jacks.

BurntBroccoli · 31/08/2024 18:58

I still have one technically as it connected to the broadband but no phone plugged in.
Unplugged it about 4 years ago as I was getting so many spam calls in the middle of the night.