Cheap cell service for a low-income senior?

[PacoMartin]

Originally Posted by Amontillado

If you don't make many calls, then Truphone is hard to beat.

Prepaid international SIM card.
You are correct! You didn't mention that it is good for international calling as well.

I would never have viewed this phone plan as a budget option.

[gguerra]

Originally Posted by ellenrr

thank you all.
I think I'm going with Consumer Cellular. I hear a lot of positive about them.
I like my landline. Comfortable, reliable, and doesn't cost much.

They also do advertise free cell phones. You may want to check into that.

[PilgrimsProgress]

Originally Posted by Mr5150

Sounds like you have bundled a cable landline. If that’s the case when the power goes out your landline is good for six hours. Copper is good for 48 hours. Our local cell towers have fuel cell backup good for over a week.

I don't have a TV.

[PacoMartin]

Originally Posted by PilgrimsProgress

I don't have a TV.

TV has nothing to do with it. You could still have a VOIP link an embedded MTA in your modem. The point of the response was to tell you that have limited battery life in the event of a power outage.

Originally Posted by Mr5150

Sounds like you have bundled a cable landline. If that’s the case when the power goes out your landline is good for six hours. Copper is good for 48 hours.

Mr150's comment is still basically accurate except that some cable companies are not putting any batteries in the modems. In which case the landline will not be good for six hours, but will go out immediately in the event of a power failure.

You can buy your own batteries depending on the model of modem carried. A popular one is listed below as 2 batteries for $20.

https://www.amazon.com/backup-batter...5SR2MHJ8FK0ZA2

Copper may be good for more than 48 hours. A phone will work as long as it is getting between 6 and 12 volts at about 30 milliamps. In other words, it takes very little power to operate an old fashioned telephone.At the phone company office there is an extensive battery system, as well as a backup generator, to supply power during a power failure. If the power goes out, the batteries and generators keep the lines fully powered. Alaska requires eight hours of power while Iowa requires just two, but most states do not regulate the requirements. If the generators keep working at the telephone office, they could keep the lines operating for a week.