Bill Seeks Study On Shift Away From Landline Phones
As Verizon and other telephone providers move away from providing landline phone service, which is regulated by the state, with wireless service, which is not regulated, Paula Carmody, who heads the Maryland Office of People's Counsel is raising some concerns about the reliability of the new service.
Carmody was among those appearing before the House Economic Matters Committee on Thursday, testifying in favor of a bill to ask the Public Service Commission to spend one year to study the impact of the shift to wireless on customer service.
Carmody notes that based on the experience in New York and New Jersey after Superstorm Sandy, there are questions of reliability of wireless service after a major storm. She notes landline phone service is less likely to experience weather related outages. More
Now if Verizon would just make a wireless phone that looks just like the landline phone in the photo I would be the first in line to buy one.That phone would have the same app weight as the landline and could be made with or without a cord.When a person leaves the house they can forward it to their pocket cell phone.No landline bill would be involved.
When I had a land line, I paid about $35 per month. Now I have a pre-paid cell phone & usually spend about $15-20 per month. When money is tight, & you don't use the phone much, every little bit of money saved helps.
4:45, I like your line of thinking! With all that mass, and with today's battery tech, this phone could go a month or more without power, and a generator could recharge it for another! It's the towers that would be the weak spot, but backup generators could cover there.
They are going to find that businesses & consumer DSL or other digital services will demand the land line. As far as cellular service being more reliable, that's BS. All cellular service is patched to the terrestrial/wire line network at the cell tower. So, be informed, that your cellular service is only as sound as the terrestrial network.
Several years ago there was an earthquake in Virgina that was felt here on the Shore. I tried making a cell phone call only to receive a message that all circuits were busy try again later. Went to the closest landline phone and got through without a problem. Two hours later I still couldn't get through on the cell but was still making landline calls. Say what you want but landlines (copper or fiber) are still a reliable means of communication.
I like my landline. If they happen to do away with land lines what will happen to the people that use a fax machine or DSL. Some people can not get cable where they are and dsl is the only available options. Some places still don't have cell towers in all areas. I guess people could use a satellite connection if they can far away from trees but I have checked those prices and they are sky high and are not unlimited use like cable and dsl are.
We can't loose our landline! If you wonder why it is because we live just off rum ridge rd in delmar md less than 2 miles from the MSP target etc.....we can't leave our cell phones on as they ROAM constantly and drain the battery! Sometimes I have to hold my cell phone out the door to SEND a message! Until 5 yrs ago we had to drive to the end of our road to send a message or make a call! WHY WHY WHY is this happening with todays technology~
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Wow, does it really take a 1 year study to figure this one out? We have some real thinkers out there.
ReplyDeleteI have a cell, but I love my land line as well. I hope we can still keep them.
ReplyDeleteIf the PSC concludes that cellular is less reliable to the obsolete copper wire system, then what? You can't force people to purchase a wired system.
ReplyDeleteNobody is being forced to give up their landlines. The government just wants to get involved in everything!
ReplyDeleteNow if Verizon would just make a wireless phone that looks just like the landline phone in the photo I would be the first in line to buy one.That phone would have the same app weight as the landline and could be made with or without a cord.When a person leaves the house they can forward it to their pocket cell phone.No landline bill would be involved.
ReplyDeleteComcast won't like that bill
ReplyDeleteI still use my black desk rotary dial telephone. It works even in a power failure. New tech is not always superior.
ReplyDeleteWhen I had a land line, I paid about $35 per month. Now I have a pre-paid cell phone & usually spend about $15-20 per month. When money is tight, & you don't use the phone much, every little bit of money saved helps.
ReplyDelete4:45, I like your line of thinking! With all that mass, and with today's battery tech, this phone could go a month or more without power, and a generator could recharge it for another! It's the towers that would be the weak spot, but backup generators could cover there.
ReplyDeleteHave not had a landline in 5 years, but still get stuck in line behind someone writing a check at the grocery store…really?
ReplyDeleteWe need to retain the option that requires neither electricity or is dependent upon a satellite network.
ReplyDeleteThey are going to find that businesses & consumer DSL or other digital services will demand the land line. As far as cellular service being more reliable, that's BS.
ReplyDeleteAll cellular service is patched to the terrestrial/wire line network at the cell tower. So, be informed, that your cellular service is only as sound as the terrestrial network.
Most of you have failed to realize the intent of this:
ReplyDeleteLandlines are taxed to the hilt! Wireless, not so much, although they are thinking up creative ways to do just that.
When I had a "basic" landline, half of the bill was taxes, surcharges, and junk fees.
Using a pre-paid cell phone, there is none of this.
That "study" is geared to figure out how to tax wireless service more!
Several years ago there was an earthquake in Virgina that was felt here on the Shore. I tried making a cell phone call only to receive a message that all circuits were busy try again later. Went to the closest landline phone and got through without a problem. Two hours later I still couldn't get through on the cell but was still making landline calls. Say what you want but landlines (copper or fiber) are still a reliable means of communication.
ReplyDeleteWhenever you buy minutes for prepaid cells they charge a tax/fee for Universal service.
ReplyDelete7:02, what's your problem if someone chooses to write a check ? Everyone has a right to spend their money any way they want.
ReplyDeleteI like my landline. If they happen to do away with land lines what will happen to the people that use a fax machine or DSL. Some people can not get cable where they are and dsl is the only available options. Some places still don't have cell towers in all areas. I guess people could use a satellite connection if they can far away from trees but I have checked those prices and they are sky high and are not unlimited use like cable and dsl are.
ReplyDeleteWe can't loose our landline! If you wonder why it is because we live just off rum ridge rd in delmar md less than 2 miles from the MSP target etc.....we can't leave our cell phones on as they ROAM constantly and drain the battery! Sometimes I have to hold my cell phone out the door to SEND a message! Until 5 yrs ago we had to drive to the end of our road to send a message or make a call! WHY WHY WHY is this happening with todays technology~
ReplyDeleteHarder to drive and talk on your phone if it's a land line.
ReplyDelete