[Buzz123]

I feel like a long time reader, first time poster with this question. I know it's silly, but we've had the Cox bundle for so long I don't keep up with the phone business anymore. It used to be we had a single phone system for all of Las Vegas. (We had dial phones and operators too. ) Is there still a main phone system? Been thinking I don't really like the Cox phone system. Before we switched there was no need for a modem for one thing, and we never had a minute's problem with our house phones. Now we lose service now and then. Do they all require modems now? What do y'all think is the best system for a house phone. And I won't tell anyone not to lecture me on cell phones, but before you do just know I hate cell phones, but we each have one, and yes we have hands free Bluetooth in the car. Besides I have a piece of medical equipment that requires a landline and my wife needs the Facsimile (FAX) machine.

[ScoopLV]

We do the phone/satellite/internet bundle with Centurylink. We have lost internet a few times, but NEVER phone or satellite.

I am not exactly HAPPY with Centurylink, but I don't hope their headquarters burns to the ground like I do with Cox.


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[oeccscclhjhn]

We've got a bare bones landline with centurylink - they call it a dial tone. Other than spam calls, which are easy to ignore, it's a good backup to cell.

[MSchu]

I've never had a single issue with cox's goods... I am pretty sure all systems use a modem now. vonage voip, cox, century.

[9162]

There is only one place to go, and that is to call SBC and tell them you want regular "land line" service. Be specific, tell them you don't want VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). There is no better quality than regular, good old fashion land line service. I worked for AT&T for 17 years, not making a sales pitch, because I hate the company, but that is the incumbent phones service for the Las Vegas area (formally Pacific Bell), and nothing beats it. I hate VOIP, can't stand the echoes, and unreliability. I believe cell phones are specifically designed for what they were intended for, and that is, to make calls when you are away from home, or for an emergency. Cell phones serve their purpose, and for many, they are fine with just a cell phone, but nothing beats the quality of land line service.

[lvoc]

We use Cox for the main number but have a Century Link land line as well.

Century Link owns the telephone wires to the house and requires no modem.

We also have a Google number that rings both cell phones and the land line.

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by 9162

There is only one place to go, and that is to call SBC and tell them you want regular "land line" service.

And they'll tell you they don't service the area.

I worked for AT&T for 17 years, not making a sales pitch, because I hate the company, but that is the incumbent phones service for the Las Vegas area (formally Pacific Bell),

Wrong. The history of the ILEC in Las Vegas from the 80s on is Centel->Sprint->Embarq->CenturyTel->CenturyLink.

Nevada Bell is the ILEC for a small number of customers in southern Nevada.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by 9162

There is only one place to go, and that is to call SBC and tell them you want regular "land line" service. Be specific, tell them you don't want VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). There is no better quality than regular, good old fashion land line service. I worked for AT&T for 17 years, not making a sales pitch, because I hate the company, but that is the incumbent phones service for the Las Vegas area (formally Pacific Bell), and nothing beats it. I hate VOIP, can't stand the echoes, and unreliability. I believe cell phones are specifically designed for what they were intended for, and that is, to make calls when you are away from home, or for an emergency. Cell phones serve their purpose, and for many, they are fine with just a cell phone, but nothing beats the quality of land line service.

I totally agree. I think we were with AT&T before going with Cox. Nothing wrong with the service but Cox was cheaper. Now I don't think they are. Give me back Centel where there were never any problems. Funny to hear that people use landlines to back up the cell, when it is the other way around for me, and that is the way it all started out. Even the guy who invented cellular said he hates what they've done to his invention. He said engineers got involved and added all kinds of stuff you don't need, and none of it ever works right.

[MediocreButArrogant]

IIRC, an unmeasured analog land line with CenturyLink is a little over $30/month. Reliable fax transmission/reception is usually only possible on a POTS (analog) line or Cox digital voice. If the phone goes over a standard Internet connection (Vonage, Ooma, or other VOIP), faxes and alarm systems will either require special settings (shut off ECM for fax for example) or will be unreliable. Cox digital voice is not treated as normal IP traffic, which is why faxing and alarm dialers work fine with it.

[LVAllen]

CenturyLink's Basic Phone Service is 11.99/month. No long distance, no calling features, just a dial tone. But the service itself is bulletproof. When the power goes out, you'll still have phone service.