Do I need a landline?

timetogo2016

We too are with Virgin and don`t have/need a landline.

This thread got me thinking I'm paying a lot with BT so just spent a little time looking at other companies

Done a live chat with PlusNet, TalkTalk and Virgin. Virgin are the only ones that can offer broadband without land line.

PlusNet and TalkTalk could only offer me up to 2Mbps ! I'm currently getting 140Mbps with BT.

This is because they have recently put in fibre cable down our lane. I live in very rural Cornwall and a % of households were too far from the cabinets to get a good speed. I was getting 0.5 - 1.8Mbs even though I was paying for up to 36Mbs.

What was interesting to find out, was that the cable that was put in down our lane last year, only those with BT could then bring the cable into their premises. It was up to TalkTalk etc to do a deal with BT to join up their customers. Seems like what PlusNet said they still haven't permission from BT !

So I love the speed. It's made such a difference. When we were connected I did renegotiate with them and got a cheaper deal and a new free router which I needed.

So before anyone moves companies I would recommend you check what speed you will get. I used to download programmes to watch on iPlayer. It took me 30 hours to download a 1/2 hour programme. Now it's instant. Couldn't watch iPlayer live because of buffering.

We live in an area where mobile reception is very unreliable so have a PAYG phone for use when outside the area. I would not think about dispensing with the landline. I also think that too few mobiles are designed to take account of the needs of older people and those with disabilities, whether declining sight, arthritic hands etc.

How many of your friends and family members - those that you speak to regularly - prefer to have a landline? If you are only contactable via a mobile it can be more expensive for them to keep in touch with you.

We have a mobile each and broadband.

It depends on how good mobile coverage is in your area, whether you can do away with a landline, so perhaps you should ask neighbours what the coverage is like.

If seeing a mobile is or becomes a problem, try sourcing a mobile specifically designed for older people with poor sight. They do exist.

I have no idea where my landline phone is. It must be about 5 years ago since I last used it.

No idea if we're still paying for it.

I am with Virgin for my landline,(free calls after 7pm and weekends for an hour) tv package and fast speed broadband. I spoke to them about disconnecting my landline due to unwanted calls but they told me the landline supplies the broadband and would make no difference to the cost. He suggested I unplug the phone. I pay £36 per month. My mobile is a Sim only deal and I pay £8 per month with EE. I get unlimited texts and calls and enough data for anything I need to use. I think you are paying far too much with BT

CrazyH
Wrong. I haven't had a landline since 2004. As you can see I'm using the internet now
They will badger you to have one but you don't need it.

You're paying far too much. I had talk talk landline and broadband for about £20 a month at my previous address. BT is the only broadband provider in my new flat. It's them or nothing. I have a landline which I don't use because it's too expensive. You can now have just broadband apparently without a phone line. Shop around get a much cheaper deal.

Moobox
I sincerely hope my immediate response would be 'is everyone ok' not WHO was to blame.

All I have is a mobile phone with BTmobile.
I cannot get broadband where I live so had the landline removed.
I use a personal hotspot (tethering) on my phone to access the internet, it is easy to set up and costs me £25 a monthe for 100Gb of data, unlimited calls and texts. I am on the internet a lot and also use it for my Amazon Echo (Alexa), Netflix and Amazon Prime video.
I neve get near using half my data allowance a month.
Another provider (EE or 3, can't remember which, Google for best data deals) are advertising 120Gb of data for £20.
Hope this helps.

My landline is my lifeline. My mobile is there when all else fails which is a convenience like the long life milk in my cupboard during a power cut.

moobox, quite!

A landline is the only phone my DH can attempt to use - he is deaf. Mobiles are useless specially as we are in a poor signal area. My mobile costs me £8.00 a month. Usage is monitored and if I exceed limits I am recommended to try the next tariff up £10. Can swop from tariff to tariff each month. Service obviously has higher tariffs for really high users. No Sky or Virgin - Freesat. One payment and that's it.

Neither of my two sons has a landline and both have the full panoply of Smart TV, computers and gaming consoles. I too have Virgin and, although I have a landline, this is separate from Wi-fi.

Without one, how would you know that you had a car crash that wasn't your fault?

We too are with Virgin and don`t have/need a landline.

Neither my daughter or a friend have a landline and manage very well without. Don't know who they get broadband from, but they are very active on line. I now prefer my mobile because 1. it's easy to block nuisance calls and 2. I have a hearing aid which works in bluetooth, so calls come straight to my ear!!
Just depends on your needs.

I haven’t had a landline for a couple of years, and don’t miss it at all.

I have to have a landline because of an emergency gadget which runs off the phone, so no contest. I don't have a mobile phone because I don't want one. I have an old Nokia in a drawer which was bought for me many moons ago---unused.

Because I make few phone calls I have BT basic and BT Broardband a specially arranged package. Being housebound I don’t need a mobile phone. Use Messenger on the IPad a lot for communication. My care line is linked to the phone.

i'm with talk talk they charge £25 a month .although i dont have a mobile with talk talk.... nor any tv channels..just landline/broadband.. mobile is with EE at £10 a month.you are being charged way too much .talk to B T demand you have lower package or you off to another company .think they lower the cost when they find out you off elsewhere..

I think a landline is needed for wifi, broadband etc,. It will be interesting to see what others say. I only use whatsapp to send messages etc

We have only had mobiles each for years. And separate broadband.

My DS, who is very up to date with all things techy, still has a landline, so I assume he needs it for some reason.

Will ask him.

I prefer my landline for calls, I know this must make me old fashioned.

I still have a landline and wouldn’t give it up as I don’t like to make long calls on a mobile. I still believe we’re unsure of the lasting effects of long term mobile use so I’d rather err on the side of caution.

I use both landline and multiple (pay as you go) mobiles. I find it's useful, that way, to separate different types of calls.

My parents and siblings call on one mobile and occasionally the landline.

My doctors/the NHS will use another mobile for texts.

When entering competitions, I give the ones that need a phone number a 3rd mobile number.

Some companies (Oakhouse Foods, Wiltshire Farm Foods and Virgin mainly) use the landline, as I don't want to miss them.

I also use the landline to order my medication, though not for much else, unless I'm out of credit on all my mobiles.

So, for me, it's best to have both types of phone.