4 ms·

If you live in the US it might be a good idea to have a telephone plugged into your landline anyways. This way if there's a combined electrical failure and cell

If you live in the US it might be a good idea to have a telephone plugged into your landline anyways. This way if there's a combined electrical failure and cell phone failure, you'll still be able to make 911 calls. There is also a reverse 911 conference call system that works with landline phones. At least in California, if you're renting, your landlord is required to provide you with a working telephone line. You and them don't even need to pay anything, just make sure there's a working dial tone. Related: http://www.opb.org/news/article/few-receiving-reverse-911-calls-cell-phones/ http://www.opb.org/news/article/few-receiving-reverse-911-ca...

lucaspiller 14y ago
Interesting... I'm actually in Europe, and the phone line is on the back of the cable modem, so if there is a combined power failure we are out of luck...
- pixelcort 14y ago
  My cable modem has an internal battery backup (Comcast Business in California); if you unplug your modem does the phone still work?
count 14y ago
I love the pervasive myth that you don't need electricity to use a landline phone in 2012. You're more likely to have a working cell phone (generator @ the tower) than a working phone line in an area with FTTH (say, Verizon FIOS deployments, or cable co. VOIP deployments). Sure, the PON and gear has a battery backup, but it doesn't last anywhere near as long as the generator at the cell tower, or the battery in my cellphone.
- pixelcort 14y ago
  In the Bay Area, I think most homes still have POTS lines. I wasn't aware most lines weren't already. Where are POTS lines no longer available?
  - count 14y ago
    By law, they're available everywhere if you specifically request them. Verizon, when they install FIOS, will rip out the copper, by default. If you switch to another CLEC at a later date, you (or they) will have to pay to have copper put back in. You can request Verizon not remove the copper though, but you have to be aware of the need beforehand.

lucaspiller 14y ago

Interesting... I'm actually in Europe, and the phone line is on the back of the cable modem, so if there is a combined power failure we are out of luck...

pixelcort 14y ago
My cable modem has an internal battery backup (Comcast Business in California); if you unplug your modem does the phone still work?

count 14y ago

I love the pervasive myth that you don't need electricity to use a landline phone in 2012. You're more likely to have a working cell phone (generator @ the tower) than a working phone line in an area with FTTH (say, Verizon FIOS deployments, or cable co. VOIP deployments). Sure, the PON and gear has a battery backup, but it doesn't last anywhere near as long as the generator at the cell tower, or the battery in my cellphone.

pixelcort 14y ago
In the Bay Area, I think most homes still have POTS lines. I wasn't aware most lines weren't already. Where are POTS lines no longer available?
- count 14y ago
  By law, they're available everywhere if you specifically request them. Verizon, when they install FIOS, will rip out the copper, by default. If you switch to another CLEC at a later date, you (or they) will have to pay to have copper put back in. You can request Verizon not remove the copper though, but you have to be aware of the need beforehand.