Do we need landline phones here?

[SoCalGal]

I saw an article that says there are still 911 systems that haven't been upgraded to the latest standards - link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31786185/ns/technology_and_science-wireless/
 - so does anyone have any idea if our system locally is up to the modern age?  I'd love to get rid of my landline.....although I suspect I still wouldn't, even if the system is newer.

[Wrightwood]

Having a landline is very important if you live in Wrightwood.

In emergency situations such as an evacuation due to an approaching wildfire, San Bernardino County uses a telephone dialing system known as TENS. (many times refereed to as Reverse 911). The TENS system can automatically dial every landline in a specific area of the county and make notification of evacuation or other emergency notice.

In addition to the TENS system, a landline used to dial 911 gives your exact location for emergency responders.

Without a landline neither of these options will be available at this point in time.

[ChrisLynnet]

Definitely! It's not smart to depend exclusively on your cell phone and give up your landline. The extra expense and numbers are annoying but it's not worth the risk of giving up. In the future maybe, but not now.

[SkierBob]

When the big one hits don't count on your land line working..

I doubt I'd pay for a land line month in month out just so I can get a reverse 911 phone call..  Besides you can register your cell phone number with reverse 911 and get the call on your mobile phone, which would probably be on your person giving you a better chance to recieve the call.


 

[Wrightwood]

..  Besides you can register your cell phone number with reverse 911 and get the call on your mobile phone, which would probably be on your person giving you a better chance to recieve the call.

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

When the big one hits don't count on your land line working..

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.

[SkierBob]

[Leftfield]

I need some info...e.g. reverse 911...whats that and how do you get it.   I would love to get rid of my landlines but I think we need it for internet service or do we?  Im also thinking of getting an alarm system but I havent investigate that to see if the alarm service needs a landline or do they? 

[SkierBob]

I need some info...e.g. reverse 911...whats that and how do you get it.   I would love to get rid of my landlines but I think we need it for internet service or do we?  Im also thinking of getting an alarm system but I havent investigate that to see if the alarm service needs a landline or do they? 

I was unaware it was not available in S.B. county until this

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

[capn mom]

Having worked as a 911 operator in a large city, here are some questions you need to ask yourself before giving up your landline phone.
    If you use a cell phone-Do you know your exact address in a moment of panic?
              How about if you're visiting a friend, do you know their address if they
              are unable to tell you?
              Do you have cell service 100% of the time?
              Have you programmed into your cell phone the 7 digit numbers that  the WW Fire Safe Council provided?
              If you use a babysitter, does that person know you don't have a landline and have all the info with a cell phone for an emergency??
   And if that doesn't raise the hairs on the back of your neck.....
             When you place a call to 911.....you may not get thru for up to 20 min!!!

AND THE BEST PART....YOUR 911 call may end up at the wrong agency you need for assistance.

I tell my family and friends keep the landline if you have medical issues and kids, also use the call boxes on the freeway...it's a landline.

[Up Sheep Creek]

What about Vonage that uses your internet service line?  Been thinking about switching over to Vonage but they use 911 differently. 

[SkierBob]

What about Vonage that uses your internet service line?  Been thinking about switching over to Vonage but they use 911 differently. 

that reminds me,, I don't have any experience with Vonage.. but I do have a couple of Magic jacks http://www.magicjack.com/4/index.asp

these widgets work surprisingly well.  There are no toll charges when calling magic jack to magic jack.  I talk to my friend in New Zeland for an hour at a time for no charge.  The quality when used on a DSL connection is so good you can't tell the difference between the magic jack and a landline.   

[Up Sheep Creek]

Ok.  So magic jack goes through your computer to phone.  Is your phone number a land line number?  If that makes any sense.  So mind boggling. 

[Up Sheep Creek]

I only need a comforting traditional basic phone service.  No unlimited anything, no bundle just a phone if and when I need to use it.  All other calls are made on cell.  Any advice? 

[SkierBob]

Both vonage and magic jack are Voice Over Internet Protocal services 'VOIP',which means you need a internet connection for them to work.  Most of you in ww probably have DSL riding on your residence landline.  Without a landline you can't get dsl in most areas. Although I just heard from a friend in Sacramento that the local telco is now providing DSL without having an actual phone number. 

With Majic jack you're not going to get a 760-249-xxxx number without a bit of work.  Majic Jack will provide a 760 prefix that is local to ww but it will not be a 249 prefix.

In order to get a Majic Jack or Vonage with a 249 prefix you would need to port your existing number over to the digital provider.  It takes several weeks that turn into a couple of months to accomplish this do to the local provider not wanting to release the number,, but by law they must. It's really not worth the hassle unless you know the in's and out's of the telco business.  Reading through the magic jack site it says they won't be able port numbers until sometime in 2009, and when it does happen there will be a fee.

I think it would be wise to hang onto that landline for a while longer if you live in Wrightwood.   Within a year I suspect you'll be able port your landline number to a digital service such as Vonage or Magic jack, but in order to save some money  Verizon will need to offer DSL service without a phone number or get your internet access through a digital medium such as wireless.   

btw, the Magic jack does not work on a Sat. dish..  You can hear the caller fine as download speeds are fast enough, but since upload speeds are slow the person on the other end only hears every third word. 

I have basic phone service through Verizon in Crowley Lake.  I pay a flat $40 a month for dial tone & unlimited long distance..  don't know if it's a good deal or not,, but it always works.   

[lagomorphmom]

So here's a question. How do these VOIP work when your computer is off and you get an incoming call? Does the VOIP box pick it up?

[SkierBob]

So here's a question. How do these VOIP work when your computer is off and you get an incoming call? Does the VOIP box pick it up?

Good question,

Magic Jack is a USB device with an RJ11 jack  to plug your telephone into.  When your computer is off your phone does not work.

Vonage.. appears to be a device with an eithernet connection to your cable or dsl modem, and a RJ11 jack to plug your telephone into.  You would need a UPS on your modem/router/switch to have a working phone when the power is off. 

With this in mind both these devices and any other voip telephones have their problems when it comes to replacing a landline

oh btw no power would mean callers would probably go to voicemail if the service is offered.. No voicemail and I'd say the caller gets a ring until it times out.

[Agape_is_love]

So here's a question. How do these VOIP work when your computer is off and you get an incoming call? Does the VOIP box pick it up?

Yes. I have verizon as a provider for my internet, so  it's just a dry loop. It cost me $26 a mos. So for my calls I have Vonage, $24.99 mos for unlimited local/long distance. The vonage adapter is hooked up to the DSL box. So at the end of the night I shut down my computer, but my DSL box is still running. I haven't had any problems. 

[Agape_is_love]

I need some info...e.g. reverse 911...whats that and how do you get it.   I would love to get rid of my landlines but I think we need it for internet service or do we?  Im also thinking of getting an alarm system but I havent investigate that to see if the alarm service needs a landline or do they? 

You can get internet through verizon w/ out having a land line. It's called a dry loop. That's what I have, and it cost me $26 a month. Not sure on yoru other two questions. Good luck!

[Up Sheep Creek]

Well...I took the easy way out.  Stayed with Verizon for internet and home phone.  Internet 21.99 for 3 months then 31.99.  Phone 25.03 month to month.  There is a cheaper phone plan but Verizon said they do not offer it here.  If I can lower this bill ten more dollars I can justify an IPhone.  Agape- is that 26.00 total and what plan is it?

[Joe Schmoe]

Well...I took the easy way out.  Stayed with Verizon for internet and home phone.  Internet 21.99 for 3 months then 31.99.  Phone 25.03 month to month.  There is a cheaper phone plan but Verizon said they do not offer it here.  If I can lower this bill ten more dollars I can justify an IPhone.  Agape- is that 26.00 total and what plan is it?

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.