Do we need landline phones here?

[Agape_is_love]

His $26 is a probably a slower speed, but it costs a bit more than normal because he doesn't have a landline.  As for you getting cheaper service, the cheapest without qualifying for low-income assistance would be measured rate service.  If they quoted you $25.03, I'm pretty sure measured isn't what you got.  But be forewarned, measured rate limits your free local calling.  Beyond your local calling allowance, you will be billed for local calls as well.

just a side note, I am a she 

Anyway to answer your question...$26 is for a 1MB speed, which too be honest is fast enough for me. I used to have a 3 MB and I can't tell the difference on my computer. Not sure if there is a lower rate based on income, since I have never done it, nor would I ever be able to qualify for it. There's no incoming/outgoing calls permitted on the plan I go just internet access. That is why I use a difference carrier for my landline phone calls. I truly like Verizon, however I was paying way too much. Prior I was paying approx. $175 for internet, home phone, & cell through verizon. Now I am paying more like $120 for all three services. 

[RennMan]

That is not an option for the San Bernardino County TENS at this point in time.

I agree with Bob that landlines and cell phones after a major quake will be useless. The only reliable means of communications will be ham radio and that's why it's been pushed so hard in this community.

Since this is a discussion regarding the need for a landline it's important to mention that phones within the 249 prefix do generally work when outside phone service is cutoff. You can't connect outside the community but it does allow you to call friends and neighbors and cell phones don't allow that option.

I can think of at least three times within the past two years that the lines that serve our area were cut.

That means internet service (and any VOIP phone) as well as cellphones were not working.  In at least two of those instances there was no landline telephone service outside of Wrightwood.

Maybe I'm a bit paranoid, but I don't want to trust my phone service to someone who wants to cut a copper line to sell for meth/crack, or some construction worker who accidentally severs a fiber optic line.

That's why we have landline and cell service, and are ham radio operators...