DSL?

I agree that 911 service is a factor, but in the original post, the question asked about the disadvantages to leaving the standard, wired local phone behind. Or was it the advantages of going totally celluar? Oh my. Someone posted costs of monthly service, but included his long distance charges, which to me have nothing to do with the original question. It seems to me that competition in LD is more available with a traditional local line. With cellular you are locked in to use a lot of minutes before most plans make any sense. As an example, I have a LD plan which costs me approx. $.06/minute, with NO monthly charge or minimum. This works for me. I also feel disciplined to justify LD calling, and keep within my budget. I don't feel compelled to use my "prepaid" minutes, or squeeze as many minutes out of my provider. This is tantamount to unnecessary bandwidth usage on the 'net, and clogs up the telco system, IMHO, with frivolous/unnecessary uses, possibly more of a threat to interfere with real emergency calls. A traditional "home" phone, does not go dead with a power outage, has no dead spots, (usually)provides a clearly audible form of communication, and if there is a problem with their end of things, a moderately responsive (if you scream loud enough) approch to fix things. No batteries that can go dead, or need recharging. A much less fragile piece of equipment to everyday stresses and strains. My service is around $25.00/month, and rising with federal addons. I have not succumbed to cell phone acquisition, have one non-wireless phone and well may be or become the last person in the USA to use a rotary phone daily. I am sure there are possible problems with 911 no matter how you try and reach them. If one can afford it, I would think a cell phone provides a comforting back up to regular wired service. But I remain unconvinced that cell phones are in any way a necessity. Since the deconstruction of Ma Bell (instigated by big business in another of their abdications), and the vicious vindictive dismantling of the pay phone system that followed, a system which they had always used to show their responsibility to the public, cell phones do have increased importance. But until recently, they were mostly for the higher income folks. It is as much a life style issue as anything, and current lifestyle choice norms leave me tepid at best. Whatever you choose - make sure you VOTE!!!!

dj

The implant is for HER. I don't use the phone that much.

Cingular is my carrier, but my service is prepaid with TracFone. :)

I originally had fears about keeping the battery charged, but that hasn't proven to be a problem, and since it warns about the battery and time remaining [on my prepaid service], I should be able to handle it.

That's not a problem. Someone told me I could have a hard time buying a new cellphone without a landline. I'll worry about that when the time comes. ;)

I do consider the 911 missing location factor a minus; but not enough to offset the problems/bad feelings I have toward my regional teleco. now.

I want to thank everyone who responded to this thread to share their opinions. Especially since it was off-topic. :)

bj