Why You Might Want to Ditch Your Landline in Favor of a Cell Phone and Online Services

Remember when having a landline was essential? Times have changed, and mobile phones have become the norm. In fact, many people don’t even bother with landlines anymore. They’re not necessary, and they can actually complicate things. If you’re considering getting rid of your landline and relying on your cell phone and other online services instead, here are some things to consider.

The Benefits of a Cell Phone

Let’s start with the obvious – the benefits of having a cell phone instead of a landline. Long distance charges are a thing of the past with a cell phone, and most plans include free domestic long distance. Caller ID, call waiting, and other premium features are also included in many cellular contracts at no extra cost. Plus, cell phones are portable, so you can take them with you wherever you go.

Skype and Other Online Services

Online services like Skype offer even more benefits than cell phones. Most offer free calling within their systems, and all offer inexpensive calls off their systems. If you can convince everyone you call to install Skype on their computers, you can make all of your calls for free. While that’s unlikely, getting some friends or family members to use Skype can save you money, especially if you call them frequently.

Get It In Writing

One of the greatest benefits of using only your cell phone is the fact that you rely more heavily on email. If you need to get information in a phone call, you might end up talking to a person for fifteen minutes, but if you’ve asked them to email you the details, you can sort out what your next actions are in a minute or less. And while you can choose what phone calls you’ll answer based on phone numbers, you can set up more robust rules for handling email.

The Fax Dilemma

One struggle of being landline-free is faxing. Some clients prefer to fax signed documents back and forth, and many people may be uncomfortable with digitally signing documents. But, there are online fax services like Fax Digits and FaxZero that offer free sending or receiving. Even if you’re not willing to eliminate your fax budget entirely, using these services can still save you some money compared to maintaining a fax line for the occasional document.

Out of Range

Landlines do have some advantages over cell phones, such as not dropping calls, less static, and never running out of battery. But how often are you away from your home or office? Compare that time to how often your cell phone is out of range. For most people, a cell phone is more reliable than a landline, and having two phone bills doesn’t make financial sense for many.

Shelve the Antique

A phone that you can’t take with you is rapidly becoming an antique. While there are still some homes and offices that need landlines, there are plenty of people who can do without. Plus, getting rid of your landline can improve both your finances and productivity. It may be time to take a good long look at your telephone needs and see if you’re one of them.