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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to get rid of my land line

118 replies

KindleAndCake · 16/02/2023 13:55

AIBU to get rid of my land line, if I can, to save the money costs. We've all got mobiles, so people can get hold of us and we can call out. Do other people do this?

OP posts:
SVRT19674 · 16/02/2023 14:53

YABVVVVU, how will you find your mobile when you misplace it? Anyway, landlines are free where I am with free national calls, so not exactly in the way, is it?

DoorstoManual · 16/02/2023 14:59

Our alarm system is tied to the landline, but as we are doing a huge revamp of the house this year, I am going to be getting rid of the current alarm system and getting another one. The current one is defunct in two years, I do not want to redecorate this year and then find that the sensors have to be taken out thus leaving gaps in the decor. Once I have that sorted, then it will go. My mother used to be the only one to call me on it, she died this time last year. 😰 It never rings anymore.

Wowwellokthen · 16/02/2023 14:59

I haven't had a landline for over 12 years. Go for it!

Spotsstripes · 16/02/2023 14:59

I have a landline and use it as our mobile reception can be bad. However if I didn't live rurally I would get rid and just use my mobile which is what most people I know these days do.

ChilliBandit · 16/02/2023 15:26

SVRT19674 · 16/02/2023 14:53

YABVVVVU, how will you find your mobile when you misplace it? Anyway, landlines are free where I am with free national calls, so not exactly in the way, is it?

YABVVVVU to assume that your circumstances are the same for everyone. I’ve never had a free landline.

MajorCarolDanvers · 16/02/2023 15:29

We haven't had a land line for several years. Never missed it once.

Original poster
KindleAndCake · 18/02/2023 08:32

Thanks for all your replies

OP posts:
HoppyHoppy · 18/02/2023 08:41

The rabbit bit through out phone cable years ago, never replaced it.

Wannabegreenfingers · 18/02/2023 09:04

Haven't had one for years. I dont know anyone that does.

Airplant · 18/02/2023 09:08

Have not had a house phone in years. The only reason I have a land line my ISP deal was cheaper discounted with a landline included. But we have never plugged in or bought a house phone.

Seriously don't miss cold calls ect.

CupidCantAimStraight · 18/02/2023 09:10

I haven't had a landline since about 2013, and it felt a bit anachronistic back then

KnickerlessParsons · 18/02/2023 09:23

Scaredofbeingalone · 16/02/2023 13:59

I thought you need a landline for broadband in your house though? That's why we keep hours as we don't have unlimited data on our phones

You do. We don't have a phone plugged into ours because it's only used by people trying to sell us stuff these days.

Asdf12345 · 18/02/2023 09:26

We have a landline as a backup due to issues with signal for my work phone.

Even when things have gone massively wrong and nobody has been able to contact me for hours nobody ever tries the landline. Last time there was a big problem I got 35 voicemails over five hours and nobody tried the landline…

Jarstastic · 18/02/2023 09:38

It’s included in our broadband deal. We also have free calls. It’s with Now (who have excellent customer service on the phone if anyone is frustrated with their current provider).
I don’t use the landline much but it is plugged in. We don’t get nuisance calls as registered with Telephone Preference Service (easy to do online, takes a few minutes then maybe a couple of weeks before all databases updated for companies).

Also, if you ever need to phone 999 the emergency services will know where you are. I once had ambulance knock on my door as they couldn’t find the source of a call and they were going round knocking on doors. They could only pinpoint to mobile cell. Meanwhile someone was lying collapsed in a neighbouring house.

im a bit wary of security on nights I’m in the house on my own. If I had a big dog I’d have it sleep with me (unfortunately DH and DC not keen on big dog) but I do take the landline to bed.

MrsMikeDrop · 18/02/2023 09:51

I can't believe you still have a landline

Caramelized · 18/02/2023 10:20

I keep a landline for emergencies, Ds had lost his mobile late at night and was able to contact us with house phone.

Bamboozle123 · 18/02/2023 10:21

Never had one

Ifulikepinacoladas · 18/02/2023 10:22

We have ours solely for DHs nan to call on 😂

PrettyUpMyPorch · 18/02/2023 10:25

I've kept mine for the sole purpose of my children being able to contact me (or emergency services) if they need to when I leave them home alone. They are too young to have their own mobile phones. (I only leave them for shortish periods).

What do others do to get around this?

DahliaMacNamara · 18/02/2023 10:28

I only really keep one plugged in for FIL to call. He does have a mobile, but the signal in his house is pretty dire. Oh, and DH has no clue what his own mobile number is, so he gives out the landline number to anyone who requires a telephone contact. Bit pointless as I don't answer the landline unless I can see who's on the other end.

ThinWomansBrain · 18/02/2023 10:30

I have provision for one within my broadband, but don't use it.
Only drawback is one person who I call (or should) regularly who is partially deaf - she claims it's harder to hear me calling from a mobile phone.

Would really appreciate knowing if that is a thing for those hard of hearing - or elderly relative being arsey.

Q2C4 · 18/02/2023 10:31

SVRT19674 · 16/02/2023 14:53

YABVVVVU, how will you find your mobile when you misplace it? Anyway, landlines are free where I am with free national calls, so not exactly in the way, is it?

My Fitbit has a "find your phone" function!

Cuppaand2biscuits · 18/02/2023 10:31

We haven't had one for about 10 years.
A few years ago a colleague had an emergency situation at home where she needed to stay on the line to 999 until the paramedics arrived but really needed to be calling someone to come and watch her children at the same time.
She urged to us all to get landlines phones after that.

Anotheanon · 18/02/2023 10:33

SVRT19674 · 16/02/2023 14:53

YABVVVVU, how will you find your mobile when you misplace it? Anyway, landlines are free where I am with free national calls, so not exactly in the way, is it?

A landline would be pointless for trying to find my phone. It’s always on silent.
My watch has a find my phone function.

Spanielsarepainless · 18/02/2023 10:38

Ours is in use for at least an hour a day. My husband can't hear properly on a mobile and the handset of a landline is so much more comfortable. Unless you have the misfortune to be on VOIP, the landline will work in a prolonged powercut. A friend's husband was at death's door and the only one of the children she could contact at 2 a.m was the one with a landline, as all the others had mobiles on silent.