Landlines in 2026? Why are they an underrated lifeline

As an introduction to the day iPhone and Foldable phonesLandlines were once a staple in every home. Although it may seem like outdated technology, it still has a role to play today in your home – especially during major mobile network outages.

A power outage could leave you stranded without a loved one The most important access lines To the world For hours If you just rely on Cell phone. And if your The smartphone cannot make phone callsit’s not very good in emergency situations.

You can reconsider the role of this home appliance, which was once standard issue but is now almost obsolete. Here’s what to think about when deciding whether to keep (or get) a landline.

Do you remember the landline?

Landlines are telephones that connect to specialized wires in our homes. The iconic image is of a rotary dial telephone – usually rented from the telephone company – which either hangs on a wall or sits on a counter or table, although push-button landlines and later wireless landlines replaced many of these ancients in the 1980s. Landline phones communicate through a global communications network built up over more than a century. But with cell phones becoming more widely available and affordable, many people have chosen to stop using landlines altogether.

A 2022 survey by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that only about 29% of American adults live in a home with a landline phone. Down from more than 90% In 2004. The crossover occurred more than 10 years ago, in 2015, when smartphone sales were Entered a period of prosperity Which reshaped the technology industry and helped transform iPhone-Apple maker in One of the most valuable companies in the world.

Anne Williams is one of the people who hasn’t given up on her landlines yet. When asked why she kept it, she described moving to Huntsville, Alabama, after A.J Hurricane outbreak On April 27, 2011, when dozens of tornadoes killed at least 250 people and knocked out power for days. Although she moved there after the hurricanes, hearing about the event brought to mind the importance of always having a phone call.

“The weather here is unpredictable,” she told me in an interview. But landlines have dedicated power and often operate even in the event of a service outage. “We remember a day when it was absolutely necessary to have (the landline),” Williams said.

What makes landline phones more reliable?

Landline telephones operate on a separate infrastructure, built of copper telephone lines that are inexpensive to construct and fairly reliable. It also does not have the drawbacks of cellular networks, such as dropped calls, poor and distorted quality, or poor reception.

One of the main reasons people keep landlines is that they tend to work even during power outages, which is a big plus for people whose work involves emergency services, businesses, or healthcare.

Analogue fax machines are also designed around landline telephone systems, meaning that most hospitals and doctors’ offices, as well as policy and law offices, need to keep a landline telephone connection running.

Disadvantages of landlines

US Federal Communications Commission It’s actually over Requiring that telephone companies provide traditional analog landlines, telecommunications companies are working to retire them in favor of newer technologies. As a result, more homes and commercial offices are being built with Ethernet plugs rather than Ethernet plugs Telephone jacks.

Landline connections aren’t cheap either. Standalone home phone plans from major carriers like AT&T can range from $25 to $70 per month, depending on the plan and features. CenturyLink’s home phone service starts at about $30 per month, and other providers, such as Spectrum, often charge about $30 or more for basic voice service, with lower promotional rates sometimes available when combined with Internet or TV.

Not all landlines use copper phone lines. Increasingly, companies are linking their phone systems to their Internet connections, a service called Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP. AllConnect currently tracks only three providers that offer old-fashioned landlines: CenturyLink, Comcast Xfinity, and Cox.

How to get new landline phone service

If you’re ready to set up a landline, contact your local phone company to find out about phone services. If you live in an apartment building, it is important for you to know where the telephone junction box is located. Typically, the owner should know this, and if not, the local phone company should be able to find it.

Here are some follow-up questions to ask, and what to look for in answers:

• Are landlines VoIP or are they POTS? Ideally, if you are looking for security and reliability, POTS is what you want. VoIP can work, but be aware that it will likely depend on your Internet modem and connection.
• If VoIP, does the company have backup power systems to ensure the voice line stays powered during a power outage? Most companies sell spare batteries that you can purchase directly from them. You can use an uninterruptible power supply, perhaps from CyberPower or APC. Note that these are different from Portable power supply. Portable power supplies allow you to stay electronically powered on the go, but they are not intended to constantly monitor for power outages and then kick in as needed.
• Local calls are usually free, but calling costs outside your area code range. What is the rate structure? Companies like AT&T charge additional fees for national and international calls. Long distance calls in particular are usually charged per minute, and companies do not always publish this information on their websites. Make sure you know the cost, and if it’s expensive, consider using a chat app like Signal, WhatsApp, Google Meet, or Apple FaceTime for your long distance calls instead.

What should you do with a landline phone?

If you have a landline but leave it languishing, withdrawing money from your bank account every month, you’re not alone. But there are some ways to make it more useful.

Google Voice It is a popular option that gives you a new phone number that acts as a central hub. When someone calls, Google Voice rings all the phones you’ve connected, whether it’s a home landline, a cell phone, a work phone, or something else.

There are other similar services as well, including Zoom and RingCentralIf you don’t like working with Google.

It is also possible to call a landline phone Homeland security systems and Medical alert sensors To help ensure that if you are in an emergency, help will be there as soon as possible.

What to do if you cannot connect a landline

If you don’t qualify for a landline or don’t like the service offered, you have more options from satellite providers. Companies like HughesNet and SpaceX can support VoIP technology over their Internet connections.

Phone manufacturers like Apple are also developing slowly Satellite messages on their devices. There is a feature on the iPhone called Emergency SOSwhich can connect to the satellite to send location data to your friends or an emergency text message to the authorities.