topic Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines? in Electronics

AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

Flatbush — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 05:55:34 GMT

A few days ago I received a letter from AT&T. It said that by 2015, telephone landlines in California will be eliminated.

I have had my landline telephone and same tele. # since 1969.

Is this only in California or else where?

Not everyone has a cell phone ( have a cell phone, but not everyone does). I also do not use it very much.

If you also received this notice,what will you do?

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

A1brat — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 06:16:32 GMT

By 2015?

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

rockygems123 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 06:17:15 GMT

@Flatbush

Thinking you meant 2025 not 2015

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

Flatbush — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 06:27:24 GMT

@Flatbush wrote:
A few days ago I received a letter from AT&T. It said that by 2015, telephone landlines in California will be eliminated.

I have had my landline telephone and same tele. # since 1969.
Is this only in California or else where?

Not everyone has a cell phone ( have a cell phone, but not everyone does). I also do not use it very much.
If you also received this notice,what will you do?

CORRECTION OF DATE: 2025 NOT 2015

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

Flatbush — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 06:29:42 GMT

@A1brat

No, I made a correction.

Sorry for confusion.

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

Flatbush — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 06:32:49 GMT

@rockygems123 wrote:
@Flatbush

Thinking you meant 2025 not 2015

Yes, of course.Thank you.

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

kaydee50 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 08:06:39 GMT

I believe AT&T mentioned that quite awhile ago that they would no longer support true landlines that have a telephone jack. We have VOIP (I think that's what it's called) that is not a true "landline" but works just about the same way as a landline but a computer is needed. I have a cell phone but only use it occasionally. Do not like talking on it for any length of time and will always have a "landline" as long as it is available.

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

meallen616 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 09:27:05 GMT

In New Jersey, I will always have a landline as long as it is still available! I also have a cell phone.

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

hopi — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 09:32:45 GMT

Years ago AT&T had raised the prices so high on my landline. The thought of not having it was just devestating but had become a wasteful luxury. (Who would have ever thought.) Closed my account and they were happy as larks. Guess it is costly for them to maintain the lines. It was extremely difficult for me to do....it was like letting go. The cell phone used to be the luxury item now it's the necessity.

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

kze — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 10:21:18 GMT

About 7 years ago I canceled my landline and now use cell phone only. I love it and don't miss the landlines at all.

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

gadgetgal613 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 10:59:19 GMT

@Flatbush wrote:
A few days ago I received a letter from AT&T. It said that by 2015, telephone landlines in California will be eliminated.

I have had my landline telephone and same tele. # since 1969.
Is this only in California or else where?

Not everyone has a cell phone ( have a cell phone, but not everyone does). I also do not use it very much.
If you also received this notice,what will you do?

Well, you'll have to change or have no phone. The only thing I miss about a landline is, I can't use it to find my cell phone if I've misplaced it.

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

LizzieInSRQ — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 11:17:07 GMT

2008 or so when my landline went from $17 to $45 a month, i monitored my caller ID for a year. Not ONE personal call. All telemarketers or political calls ( was an election year). This is no exaggeration. NOT one Everyone i knew personally and business was using my cell.

The only thing that was keeping me from switching, at that time, was " missing a personal call from estranged family since my landline number was pubically listed or in case of emergency and cell towers down".

Well i soon realized, telephone books no longer being published and if cell towers were down i was probably going to be in a big disaster where landlines werent working either.

Canceled and have only missed it when i wish i could use my landline to call my own cell phone to locate it or left phone at work LOL. Ive made different habits to help that issue.

For those who physically do not like using cell phones, an internet phone service built into your plan is a solution. I dont bother.

I do understand giving up a number youve had for decades can be emotional. When the phone book dwindled and family died off and their numbers no longer were listed it made me sad...i remernber feeling like an accomplishment when i became an adult listed in the phonebook even! I get the sentimentality-end of an era feeling. I do. Like all things, I moved through it.

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

charsha — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 11:10:30 GMT

I need to keep my landline mainly for emergency and especially for 911 calls if necessary. The cell phone at my residence does not work in my rural area. I would never be able to call out on my cell phone if emergency police, fire, or health related assistance is needed. I would hate to get that letter!! My cost is not an issue for safety.

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

LizzieInSRQ — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 11:22:05 GMT

@charsha wrote:
I need to keep my landline mainly for emergency and especially for 911 calls if necessary. The cell phone at my residence does not work in my rural area. I would never be able to call out on my cell phone if emergency police, fire, or health related assistance is needed. I would hate to get that letter!! My cost is not an issue for safety.

Would an internet phone service be an alternative?

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

They CallMe MRWILKES — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 11:40:41 GMT

During Superstorm Sandy in 2012 I lost both landline and cell phone service for about three days. It can happen.

Shortly thereafter I got rid of the landline which I very, rarely used and haven't missed it for a moment.

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

ruthbe — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 11:49:24 GMT

about 4 years ago we got rid of our landline...we love it...easier to monitor calls...report junk...I would never go back

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

Zukie — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 12:00:53 GMT

I have a landline. I also have a cell phone. I live in a very rural area and in many really rural areas, cell phone service is non-existent to poor at best ( people will park anywhere on dirt roads if there is a chance for a few bars ). Good cell phone sevice is an expense some people cannot afford. Also, in some rural areas, internet service is not great or even available through some internet providers, so internet voice is a gamble. Where I live, the landline is a life line for many people. As a matter of fact, while waiting on hold to speak with my phone company's rep, there were messages to get a landline just in case of emergency when the gird goes down.

As for voluntarily given up my landline, nope, they'll have to take it.

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

geezerette — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 12:54:21 GMT

@Zukie

I can understand what you're saying. I was in a similar situation with a traditional landline.

They didn't take it away, but they raised the monthly fee prohibitively and stopped repairing the lines when there were problems. The landline service became more unreliable and expensive than my cell, so I finally disconnected the landline.

It's not ideal, but for the amount I use a telephone I can make do. If the price and quality had stayed the same, I never would have given up my landline.

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

Starpolisher — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 12:15:11 GMT

I had an AT &T landline. About three years ago, I received a letter from them saying they would no longer be servicing my area. I now have a landline through my cable provider, which isn't a true landline, since every time the cable goes out, so does the phone line!

I have a cell phone but only use it for on-line recreation and emergencies. Everyone knows not to call my cell unless it’s an emergency. I don't usually answer. If I'm out and about, I don't want to talk on the phone. I also don't like it when friends call me on their cell when they are out and about and I can hardly hear them. I don't appreciate being treated like a task that needs to get done and so you do it while running errands. If you want to talk to me, then make time, as I do. At home, if I'm available, I use my landline. I never want to be without my Landline! ☎️📞

Re: AT&T and elimination of telephone landlines?

Lilysmom1 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 12:46:21 GMT

I can understand that this is a real concern for those with poor cell service. I assume they will not withdraw the service until that is addressed.

i got rid of my landline with a bit of trepidation about ten years ago. Never looked back. If any of you have an Apple Watch, you can use that to locate your iPhone under the 'Find my Device' app.