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Need to dump my copper landline - verizon really doesn't want to maintain them and keeps increasing the price
query - can you use an old fashioned fax machine (yep we still use one) with fios?
Also - if there is already another phone number in the place that has fios - anybody know if there is any discount for adding a second phone number?
wondering if converting the second number which is the copper wire landline to fios and adding it to the fios account on the first number will be cheaper than converting it by itself?
Hate to dump the copper wire as that was all we had when sandy took us down but verizon is impossible increasing rates and adding fees.
plus we still pay for a dialup (oh yes we do) because that was the only thing we had working during sandy too - the only computer access. Painstakingly slow but better than nothing and allowed emergency access.
We had a copper line and when I switched to FIOS I was worried about outages too. That was back in like '01 and since then the only time it was missed was during the great northeast blackout of '03. But at that time calls weren't going through to cellphone users anyway. All other times my cell phone served me fine including Sandy (can be charged by car). FIOS also has an 8-hr battery backup which you should be able to conserve by unplugging.
Don't need computer access during a blackout/hurricane - but you can still get it if you have 4G and smartphones/tablets. What would you need a computer for otherwise and how would it be powered beyond a few hours through a UPS?
As for the fax, I am on FIOS and have a fax running through my Vonage box connected on FIOS. It works the same way - FIOS would work fine for fax.
We had a copper line and when I switched to FIOS I was worried about outages too. That was back in like '01 and since then the only time it was missed was during the great northeast blackout of '03. But at that time calls weren't going through to cellphone users anyway. All other times my cell phone served me fine including Sandy (can be charged by car). FIOS also has an 8-hr battery backup which you should be able to conserve by unplugging.
Don't need computer access during a blackout/hurricane - but you can still get it if you have 4G and smartphones/tablets. What would you need a computer for otherwise and how would it be powered beyond a few hours through a UPS?
As for the fax, I am on FIOS and have a fax running through my Vonage box connected on FIOS. It works the same way - FIOS would work fine for fax.
the modems, cable boxes, batteries, cars, main electric panel, cell phone towers was underwater for around one million people during Sandy.
I wish I had my old landline so I could have called for help in sandy. Also all the cell phone towers were destroyed in sandy down by beach. We did not get cell phone service back till around December.
It was annoying working on house and for workers no way to get or make a call
I wish I had my old landline so I could have called for help in sandy.
Do you mean for the repair process (workers as you mentioned) or did you mean to call for help soon after it all went to hell? Who would you call? Makes no sense to call the electric company in a disaster like that... 911 for help in evacuation?
Just trying to understand why a landline is vital in a Sandy situation other than someone being hurt and cell lines are all instantly down. Drive them to the hospital?
If you must have a home phone, look into the Ooma. I picked up a refurb Telo last year for around 70 bucks and have a house phone basically for free ($3/mo). We don't use it too often, but it's never given us a hint of trouble when we needed it.
If you must have a home phone, look into the Ooma. I picked up a refurb Telo last year for around 70 bucks and have a house phone basically for free ($3/mo). We don't use it too often, but it's never given us a hint of trouble when we needed it.
My friend has one of these and he loves it! Can't go wrong for $3 a month.
If you must have a home phone, look into the Ooma. I picked up a refurb Telo last year for around 70 bucks and have a house phone basically for free ($3/mo). We don't use it too often, but it's never given us a hint of trouble when we needed it.
^ yup, it's just like Vonage except with a higher up-front cost, but lower monthly. I have a reimbursed office line so I haven't bothered switching.
Anyway, the point is it's only as good as your router's battery backup in an emergency. And then you still have to power these devices even if you have a phone that only runs off the line. Cell phone is still the best bet, unfortunately. And pick up some USB battery banks.
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