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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

In thinking the landline is obsolete

107 replies

opalinski · 04/06/2011 10:24

Does anyone need one anymore? We only have a connection for the internet and never ever actually use the phone?

OP posts:
TheFeministsWife · 04/06/2011 10:27

No we're the same. I only ever use the landline if I need to ring an 08 number. We've all got minutes on our mobiles so it's more economic to use our mobiles. We only have ours because we have the internet.

roulade · 04/06/2011 10:29

It is if you are in a cabled area but if not then it is needed for internet access. I don't have one as we use Virgin and free minutes on our mobiles.

zandy · 04/06/2011 10:30

Its very useful for giving out to salespeople. You can let it go to ansaphone and then decide whether to ring back or not at your leisure, and they dont then pester you on your mobile.

Original poster
opalinski · 04/06/2011 10:30

roulade Thanks for that. We are considering dumping the landline altogether :)

OP posts:
meditrina · 04/06/2011 10:31

We couldn't do without ours. It's what our broadband comes through.

TheFlyingOnion · 04/06/2011 10:31

YANBU

I don't have a landline (by which I mean a telephone handset) - I use my mobile, and skype.

MsFC · 04/06/2011 10:31

I still use the landline when I'm at home, the reception is better.

IgnoringTheChildren · 04/06/2011 10:31

Well it all comes down to your network and signal strength - my mobile is pretty shit in the house so for important calls (and when I'm without mobile signal) I use the landline. Pisses me off rather as I never use up all the minutes of calls included in my mobile package. Fortunately the contract is about to expire...

Original poster
opalinski · 04/06/2011 10:32

Thats what I mean meditrina. We are planning to just use wifi so wont need the phone at all. Not sure how that works but will find out soon .

OP posts:
kampakat · 04/06/2011 10:32

We have no mobile coverage at home at all so would be lost without the landline!

Original poster
opalinski · 04/06/2011 10:32

My landline reception is the inferior one

OP posts:
hocuspontas · 04/06/2011 10:33

No signal in my house. If I want use my mobile I have to go out to the road! So landline is essential if it's raining Grin

GentleOtter · 04/06/2011 10:33

It is a lifeline here as there is little mobile phone reception and many people are unable to get broadband.
You really are scuppered when the phone lines come down with the snow/ wind/ trees.

lockets · 04/06/2011 10:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bonsoir · 04/06/2011 10:34

I only use the landline as I loathe and abhor mobiles.

fastweb · 04/06/2011 10:35

Not for me it isn't.

Our mobiles will ring when in the house but we have to run the 30 meters to the gate if we want to respond because the signal is too weak otherwise. I'd hate to have to brave snow, ice, boiling sunshine or mosquitoes for each and every phone call I ever made.

Plus speaking to my sis in the UK on a mobile would probably cost a bundle and I just can't get along with skype. Although if I didn't have a landline skype wouldn't even be an option because my internet options out here in the sticks are a bit limited unless I wish to pay a small fortune for a satellite alternative.

Besides I loathe talking on a mobile, even in an area with a good reception I find the sound quality indistinct enough to make the conversation annoyingly difficult. This may be an issue with my ears, but I don't have the same problem on a landline.

SardineQueen · 04/06/2011 10:36

YABU

Internet
Places without coverage
Mobiles even on contract v expensive for ringing some numbers eg lots of GP surgeries and similar
Is the a TPS for mobiles?
Older people can struggle with mobiles for example see my mum Grin
WHO report the other day saying they might be dodgy. Don't know if that's true or not but a lot of people are nervous about using them all the time
Sure there are more Grin

hocuspontas · 04/06/2011 10:37

Also if I'm having a long conversation I don't want a mobile clamped to my head for an hour. All those nasty 'waves' mash my brain up according to recent scaremongering.

IgnoringTheChildren · 04/06/2011 10:38

zandy - but don't you find that salespeople hang up the instant they answerphone kicks in and then phone back repeatedly in the hope of talking to someone eventually. I never find the handset before the answerphone kicks in and as a result currently have close to 50 hang ups on the answerphone. Should probably sort through and delete them on the off-chance an actual message is lurking amongst them.

Laquitar · 04/06/2011 10:40

I was thinking the same this morning OP.

We only use it for international calls, to elderly family members who dont use skype.

smokinaces · 04/06/2011 10:43

I have a landline, but I can count on one hand the people that ring me on it. My grandparents, my mum and the kids' dad. And mostly thats because my mobile reception is pretty shite here. Have tried every network, and am currently on the best for reception and its still shitty.

I currently pay £5 a month for anytime calls, but think I will ditch that as tbh I only use it evenings and weekends now.

LadyThumb · 04/06/2011 10:51

Of course it's not obsolete! We have a very poor mobile signal here where I am in the West Country and have to go down the garden to get a signal.

And, anyway - why would I want people ringing me on my mobile while I am driving, in the shops, on the beach, or walking the dogs in the forest? I do need SOME peace from the phone, you know!

redskyatnight · 04/06/2011 11:01

No one rings me on my mobile, they all use landline ... I guess it depends on your lifestyle. Aren't mobile calls are much more expensive than landline still?

AMumInScotland · 04/06/2011 11:08

If you plan to rely on the wifi, make sure it will still work during a power-cut.

SardineQueen · 04/06/2011 11:08

I know people who don't have a mobile.

So no landlines aren't obsolete!!!!