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I would like some advice regarding my situation. I am moving to a new city and will need new phone service. Right now I have an inexpensive cell phone system at $25.00 a month, I-Wireless, from Kroger. It just makes phone calls; no camera and I could get on the Internet but I don't. Nor do I text. I hardly use it, in fact in the three years I have had it, I have accumulated 4,000 minutes. I also have land line I use occasionally. I am just not big on phones.
So my question is, in my new city, should I just ditch the landline and go for a cell phone only or continue with a cheapo cell and a good reliable landline as I have been doing? One thing I don't like about using a cellphone as my only means of communication is that everytime I talk to someone on theirs, the reception never seems to be as good as a landline. But on the other hand, consolidating service might make more sense.
I am just not sure what the best way to go would be. Any suggestions?
I'm not sure why anyone has a landline today, a cell phone does everything you want and it is always right with you. But you are right about the clarity, some cell phones sound like you are in an echo chamber.
I have a Metro PCS cell phone plan that is $25 a month with unlimited calling, but not sure if they offer that plan any more.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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That's the trouble with a cheapo cell phone, better to go with better quality if you are going to rely on it as the only phone. Around here very few people still have a land line, it just isn't needed any more and they attract telemarketers (do not call list or not), charity solicitors, political calls and surveys. Some carriers offer good devices free or cheap but you have to get a data plan. For example my Droid Ultra with 5" screen was free. I didn't think I needed a smartphone, but when I got my first one it only took a month or so to wonder why I hadn't done it before. Being able to look up things on the internet from anywhere, use it as a GPS navigation system in the car, and a music player and more.
Some people don't have cell coverage, I have an extender at my house which uses the internet. It's the only way a cell phone will work at my house but I don't use it for own phone because I don't have one. For $20 a month I have unlimited everything with VOIP, don;t really care I can't take it with me. Actually like it that way.
I should probably mention that I am moving to the Cleveland area, Cleveland Heights to be exact. I'll see what's being offered there regarding local service. I didn't have cell coverage in Portland until about three years ago because I did find I needed it occasionally. I don't drive so unless I want to know where the bus is, I really don't need GPS. A music player is kind of wasted on me because I have hearing aides and I don't like listening to music when I'm out and about anyway. Maybe it's a generational thing because I am 68 although I know plenty of old geezers who love all that technology. I do love my email and Internet but I can wait to get home to use it.
The only times I ever needed to take a phone with me was to call a cab or let someone know I would be delayed. And pay phones are pretty much things of the past. I just don't need all the great features phones come with these days. I am not a total Luddite, my next TV will be a smart one to replace my aging analog with a digital converter box and my old decrepit desktop computer will soon be replaced by a nice new laptop. Being retired and on a fixed income, I have to watch the budget. So while I really appreciate and admire all the latest technology, I am looking for what will work for me both cost wise and for efficiency.
Thanks for the advice so far, everyone, I am going to make a decision soon.
Do you know anyone in Cleveland Heights? Ask them who their cell carrier is and how their signal strength is. Also ask their advice on which phone works best for calls in that area. As far as a budget, maybe there is a "pay as you go" cell phone program that will work well for your needs, once you establish it has reliable cell phones with decent call clarity.
Do you know anyone in Cleveland Heights? Ask them who their cell carrier is and how their signal strength is. Also ask their advice on which phone works best for calls in that area. As far as a budget, maybe there is a "pay as you go" cell phone program that will work well for your needs, once you establish it has reliable cell phones with decent call clarity.
Yes, I know one person who lives in CH. She uses AT&T for her land line but I don't know what she uses for her cell phone service. I asked on the Cleveland forum and got some good opinions as to what services were available. I think I am leaning towards just using a cell phone service for both but I was interested in people's opinions in general on the subject. I tried a pay as you go plan one time but it didn't work out too well for me but that could have been the carrier I was going through so I am not ruling it out.
I am looking for what will work for me both cost wise and for efficiency.
Check out VOIP either through your internet provider or independent. Like I said I pay $20 a month but it's probably closer to $30 because I forgot about the $7 VOIP modem charge and there is a few taxes and fees. I get all the bells and whistles (caller ID etc) and I can call anywhere in the US unlimited.
Check out VOIP either through your internet provider or independent. Like I said I pay $20 a month but it's probably closer to $30 because I forgot about the $7 VOIP modem charge and there is a few taxes and fees. I get all the bells and whistles (caller ID etc) and I can call anywhere in the US unlimited.
That sounds good to me. One thing I will need though is the ability to call Canada fairly often. Some phone services don't have this feature or they charge extra. I will definitely will check it out after I move.
Hmmmmmm, I stand corrected here. I was just looking at my bill. They used to itemize it and I can swear it was $20 but they are now just listing the phone as bundled with internet and cable. They have two plans, the $20 plan doesn't include long distance. It's like $40 for unlimited and that includes Canada.
My total is $153 a month for phone, internet and cable which includes 2 HD boxes and the starz package, it should be more but every time they jack it up I call and complain and they lower it.
Check out other offers form third parties like Vonage
Last edited by thecoalman; 05-16-2014 at 08:12 PM..
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