It seems as though landline phones are falling out of favor. Once an elemental part of every American home, they have now become mere accessories of the past. According to a study by Statista, less than 40% of the households in the U.S. have an operational landline today, in contrast to 90% back in 2004.
Does this drop signify the end of hardwired phones? Is the world ready to say goodbye to these communication systems that have been loved and appreciated by generations of people? No. Something so radically important does not simply fade away into the dark.
This post will show you exactly how landline phones continue to provide value to humanity in the present era and why they will persist in an increasingly digital future. Read on and see if you agree.
Costs that Remain Constant
We live in a turbulent economy, where prices swell up and budgets rip apart. In such times, consumers on average hesitate to invest in things that threaten their financial balance. The good news is that landline phone plans are so easy on the pocket that any type of household can manage them without compromising on other needs. For instance, Spectrum is a popular landline provider that offers a digital home phone service for only $9.99 per month, especially when you bundle it with basic internet or TV.
Moreover, this price tag has been the same for a long time now, and chances are that it will remain affordable in the years to come. Why? Because the landline technology in itself is low-cost and low-maintenance while being high-quality and supremely functional.
Unmatched Calling Quality
People who are hard of hearing or those who prefer a crystal-clear talk-time can benefit greatly from a landline rather than a cellphone. Why? The secret lies in the composition. Landline phone uses a strong, copper wiring to send and receive audio signals, whereas a cellphone relies on radio frequency from a nearby tower to transmit voice data wirelessly. Weather inferences usually disrupt cellphone communication, while landline calls run with a stable reception through the severest of storms.
Consumer Reports also prove that the sound quality of the home phone is considerably superior to a cellular device. This means that you can chat on end from a landline without mishearing a single letter.
Excellent Emergency Support
An emergency can happen at any time, and it can be of any nature. Whether it is a medical one or a safety-related one, a landline connection can deliver support much faster than a cellphone. Suppose someone suffers from an asthma attack in your home and needs immediate assistance. Dialing 911 from your landline will help the concerned emergency call centers to pinpoint your exact location in a matter of seconds and ping the paramedics over. Some landline services such as Spectrum voice even come with a special E911 feature, which helps save time and lives.
Similarly, if you face a burglary situation of some sort, then your triggered home security devices can use the residential landline to alert authorities and prevent your valuables from being stolen. Landline phones registered to your name usually contain your address information and can relay it to emergency responders in time. And, if the integration of your home security system with the landline is complete, then you may not even have to pick up the handset to call 911. Such is the high-powered utility of a landline in case of an emergency.
Note: Although cell phones of today have a smart GPS technology, multi-story buildings and other hindrances can obstruct signal reception, making it difficult for the responders to track cellular calls.
Simplified, Elder-Friendly Interface
There is no doubt about the fact that the advanced functionality and touch-screen interface of a cellphone is extremely convenient. You cannot only talk and text, but you can play Candy Crush, send an email, and tune multimedia on the same device. However, it is also complex and not so easy to wrap your head around. The elderly folk, especially, find it difficult to use a cellphone of the latest order, and would much rather prefer a landline because of its simplified technology.
Landline Phones Teach Manners & Social Responsibility
Modern technology is fairly addictive. Two out of every three individuals today are caught up in the trappings of a cellphone, so much so that they forget one of the most fundamental functions of the device, i.e. connecting people via verbal communication. The smartphone-addicted generation prefers to text, and sometimes, not even that. Landlines offer a friendly respite from this impersonal technology. They bring you back to the world of one-on-one interaction. They help you retain empathy and teach phone manners plus social responsibility to young ones who are not familiar with the feeling of a warm-hearted conversation.
The Final Word
Landline phones are not going anywhere. The attributes of affordability, quality audio, security, simplicity, and societal value make them resistant to oblivion, as this post highlights. Even though better variations have come around, landlines will continue to provide value to future generations.
