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NewsIs it time to cut the cord?
Is it time to cut the cord?

Is it time to cut the cord?

It’s off the hook. 

Who in their wildest dreams would ever have predicted that the day would eventually come?

The day when we untangled ourselves from the curly cord, hung up, and said “goodbye” for the last time to the beloved home phone.

The concept itself is very hard the fathom.

After all, the house landline has been more like a “lifeline” for FiftyUps for many a decade.

Bob Dylan said it best, “the times they are a changin’”.

It is not a question of “will”, more a matter of “when” the landline phone will take its proud place in the museum of household history – along with its relatives the black and white TV and compact disc player.

That said, the eradication of the landline might be on hold for a little while longer yet according to Telco analysts.

Despite the fact that almost every Aussie now possesses a mobile phone (and we’re not just talking adults here), more than half of Australian homes are still paying for a landline hook up.

Is this you? If so – why?

Because you could be saving on an unnecessary monthly expense. And with the cost of living at an all time high - every outgoing dollar really does add up nowadays.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald report this week, 55 per cent of Australians still have a landline phone at home and only just over a quarter (29%) rely solely on their smartphones.

Of those Australians who still have a landline, a third concede that it's not really necessary and they're keeping it as a security blanket – 19 per cent say they never use it while a further 13 per cent keep it in case of emergencies.

Age demographics were a major influencer it seems – with Baby Boomers reporting the highest numbers of homeowners still to have a landline operational.

Meanwhile, the Herald Sun reported this week that Telstra is increasing the cost of landlines by $2-$3 a month, so they’re not even getting cheaper!

Which begs the question/s: How attached are you to your landline? Do you really need it? Is it worth the added cost?

Can’t answer?

Then maybe it’s time to dial D for Disconnect and just rely on a good, cheap mobile plan for both home and away.

Click here to see the new Special Offer on Mobile Plans for FiftyUp Club members with award-winning provider Vaya.

More info:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/telstra-to-slug-landline-customers-with-higher-fees/news-story/a1c686bf0cf0f0eb8cf8dc0ac6ced75d

 

 

Originally posted on .

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Someone
Someone from SA commented:

We live in a house with sisalation foil lined walls and an iron roof. Mobile signals . just don't get in. And no NBN either, and when that does come it will mean an antenna on the roof. So it's landline for us, at least for the present. 

Jan
Jan from NSW commented:

I have a landline because my mobile reception is unreliable. I purchased a blue tick phone at telstra's suggestion and still have problems. 

Susan
Susan from NSW commented:

I keep my landline because of family calling from abroad. Their landline contracts offer free calls to certain countries but this does not apply if they call a mobile number. 

Barbara
Barbara from NSW commented:

What to do if your landline is also "bundled up" with the internet service? 

Someone
Someone from SA commented:

After a complication with the 'attempted' and forced changeover to the nbn we dropped the landline, upgraded our mobile plans a little to use the hotspot for iPad and laptop internet. We haven't looked back and are saving money. We don't intend connecting to the nbn - don't miss that or the landline! 

Dianne
Dianne from QLD commented:

I wonder if the author of this article is aware that a 'landline' is included in the NBN and unless you are on the lowest NBN plan, call charges to local and long distance fixed phones in Australia are included in the cost? I make the majority of my phone calls from my home phone as I have to go outside to make/receive mobile phone calls due to poor reception. 

Peter
Peter from NSW commented:

There are two related problems with ditching the landline. If power fails to your home, oops no phone if you use the provider's (or other) VoIP phone only. If you have a back-to-base alarm and the power fails, the alarm cannot contact the base. The latter needs another means of communication to the base. (3G mobile is popular!). Regards Peter 

Karen
Karen from NSW commented:

I still have a landline for internet access and also because all my family is overseas. Mobile charges are far too expensive for international calls (in either direction)! 

Chris
Chris from NSW commented:

How can you disconnect the landline when it's needed for the NBN. I disconnected my landline a couple of years ago but had to reconnect to get the NBN. 

Mary
Mary from VIC commented:

By the way I am not Mary from VIC as my post shows. I am Lucy from NSW.. :) 

Mary
Mary from VIC replied to Mary:

fixed I think? I was not logged in.. 

Lucy
Lucy from NSW replied to Mary:

me now I hope! 

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