Should I get a telephone--wtf (Metlakatla, Point Hope: rent, lease, work)

[htmlfamily]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

I haven\'t used anything but a satellite phone for awhile and I hate the way they echo. If I get a cell phone it will just end up living in the glove box of my truck with the battery worn down. Forget getting a land line. But people act like they feel sorry for me when I tell them I don\'t have a telephone, like they think I\'m antisocial or some such bs. I wouldn\'t answer it anyway most of the time and I\'m way beyond drunk dialing my ex so I hardly see the point. WTH???? It must be a -48 cultural thing.

Just Get a Dang Phone so we can throw you a \"Welcome to the 20th Century Green Party\"...

[rotorhead]

If you're not using dial-up for your internet service, I'd go with one of the VOIP (voice over internet provider) services like Vonage or Skype. Some of them have a pretty good rep, and you're already paying for the internet anyway. The main drawback is that their 911 service is dodgy, they basically have to figure out where you are and call emergency services themselves, which adds both time and uncertainty, especially in rural areas.

For purely emergency use, there are specialized prepaid cellphones that can use regular disposable AA or AAA batteries instead of rechargables. Even better, use the disposable lithium batteries instead of alkalines. They're better in the cold anyway and they're supposed to hold the original charge for the best part of ten years.

I'm surprised there isn't an equivalent for sat phones. For some reason they seem much more interested in making sure that sat phone customers all have the regular full-price plan even when the phone is just for emergencies.

[DreamWeavin]

it's 39.00 for a full year though. I don't know anything about Skype. I had Vonage once but service was noisy and the bill kept climbing.

Originally Posted by Rance

Yeah but don't it cost 39 bucks or something? I can call Sweden and talk 7 hours for 10 bucks on Skype. And within the US is free.

[MissingAll4Seasons]

I don't know about the cell coverage up there, but I do know that most cell phones have adapters that let you charge from your cig lighter, or a mini-solar panel. If you get a pre-paid phone and an alternate charger, it might be worth it to purchase them for the breakdown emergency scenario. Either that, or go the CB route

[bunky3301]

Originally Posted by DreamWeavin

it's 39.00 for a full year though. I don't know anything about Skype. I had Vonage once but service was noisy and the bill kept climbing.

I have Magic Jack and just love it.....by the way its not $39.00 year. Its $39.00 to order the Magic Jack which includes your first year of service. So it's only $20.00 for the Jack and $20.00 a "year" and if you sign up for like 5 years or so it can only be like $10.00 a year. Can't beat $20.00 a year !!!

You do have to have a broadband connection though...either cable/DSL and you can use your Regula telephones for it as well. Skype you can't, with Skype you have to use a headphone and mic, and there are some VOIP phones you can buy but I've tried a few of the cordless ones for Skype and they didn't work to well.

Magic Jack is Great !!!

[karfar]

Oh what the hell Metla, live a little! Welcome to 2008!!!! And yes you should get a cellphone- what if you were stuck somewhere or a bear was bearing down on you or you found an overturned truck filled to the brim w/jugs of blueberry vodka & you needed help carting it away? It's essential.

[HighlandLady]

You know though, I rather miss the days when I didn't need a cell phone (there are often times I leave it at home or at the very least turn it off when I am hiking), at times didn't have a land-line (when I was on my own and my offspring wasn't born yet), I didn't have cable telly, I didn't even own a computer . Life seemed simpler and contentment was easier to achieve.

I still don't watch much telly, I admit I do enjoy having a computer, but I am more outdoors than in (at least when the weather somewhat cooperates - unlike now when it is the bloody middle of May and there is a blizzard going on). A phone has become a necessity with an offspring.

Met...get a cell, that way you do have some sort of way to communicate if the need arises, but there is the nifty on/off button to give you that choice

[Alaskagrl]

Originally Posted by DannyL

at&t has some super plans in alaska now. no roaming up here now either.

Really??

I signed up with CellOne 3 years ago because they were the only company that provided service here...now that they switched over, should I convert to AT&T?

I get service in Craig but not in Thorne Bay, which pisses me off. Since I have a cat, etc, I need to be able to arrange for feedings/etc if I am off in the woods or stuck out in boat in bad weather.

I'd suggest you get one Met...they are kind of a pain in the ass but mine has helped me out of a couple jams.

[Xa'at]

Telephones are ghastly overrated. I have one, just a little cell phone, and I curse its existence daily.
For one thing, it's almost impossible to tell what people are saying over those damn things. People want to talk, and talk, and talk, and I'm just like, "okay, uh huh, oh, that's interesting..." Maybe I need to get one of them tty cell phones.
Also, people expect that since you have a cell phone, you will be reachable at every hour of the day and night. They don't take into account that the damn things are tiny and so, so, easy to lose. Half the time I have no idea where my cell phone is, and that suits me just fine.
Also, the range is ridiculous. When I can find my phone, I take it with me when I go out walking on the beach, etc, and nine times out of ten I have no signal. Lot of help that is.
My recommendation to you is to buy a really super old like nokia thing for really cheap. Then, buy a calling card that doesn't expire. That way, you can make a call if you are in trouble (as long as you have a signal, you don't need a calling card or subscribed service to call 911, by the way) but people can't bother you with stupid things day and night.

[Barkingowl]

Originally Posted by Xa'at

My recommendation to you is to buy a really super old like nokia thing for really cheap. Then, buy a calling card that doesn't expire. That way, you can make a call if you are in trouble (as long as you have a signal, you don't need a calling card or subscribed service to call 911, by the way) but people can't bother you with stupid things day and night.

I recommend an iPhone. Then you can surf the web while waiting for the tow truck.