Search

Placeholder Content Image

Do you still need a landline?

<p>Almost everyone has a mobile phone these days. From school kids to great grandparents and everyone in between, we’ve become an increasingly mobile society. And why not? Mobile phone technology has come on in leaps and bounds and with increased reliability and coverage it may seem logical that there’s no longer any need for a landline. While this might be the case for some people, there are a few reasons why you might want to keep yours for a little longer.</p> <ol> <li>Emergency services can locate your house much more easily using a landline phone.</li> <li>Call costs are often cheaper especially for local calls.</li> <li>Internet access. If you download large amounts of data your wireless Internet might be sluggish and end up costing a significant amount of money. Phone line rental can end up being a cheaper option.</li> <li>If you use a fax machine you’ll always need a landline.</li> <li>Mobile phones in certain areas can be notoriously patchy. A landline generally doesn’t have this issue.</li> </ol> <p>If you’re someone who requires the above, keeping a landline might be in your best interests. An alternative to having a landline is something called a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which allows users to make calls over the internet very cheaply. The downside to this service is reliability issues centering on call connection and quality.</p> <p>Another option that can be useful is Skype, which allows you to make long distance and local calls as well as video chat with friends and loved ones. Before deciding what to do with your landline, consider how many long distance calls you make, how heavy your Internet usage is and what the reliability of your mobile network is like. This can help you make the best and most cost effective decision.</p> <p>Do you still have a landline installed in your home? Why or why not? Share your reasons in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/technology/2016/06/the-best-technology-for-keeping-in-touch/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The best technology for keeping in touch</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/technology/2016/05/hints-for-using-gmail/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 hints for using Gmail</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/technology/2016/05/trick-to-dramatically-free-up-storage-on-your-iphone/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>Trick to dramatically free up storage on your iPhone</em></strong></span></a></p>

Technology

Placeholder Content Image

Phone and internet bills to drop

<p>Look forward to cheaper phone and internet bills from October, after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recommended Telstra cut the price it charges other telcos to have access to its copper wire network.</p> <p>Many of Telstra’s rivals pay for the telco to provide phone and broadband services over the Telstra network.</p> <p>Prices should drop by 9.6 per cent say the ACCC. There will be fewer customers relying on the copper network as it is progressively replaced by the national broadband network (NBN).</p> <p>The ACCC said that the customers still using the copper network shouldn’t have to pay the large costs to maintain it.</p> <p>“If there is no adjustment for these higher costs then customers who have not been migrated to the NBN will pay significantly higher prices for copper-based services,” said chairman Rod Sims.</p> <p>“Eventually, these prices would reach absurd levels for the unlucky last copper customers.”</p> <p>Telstra said it was disappointed with the recommendation. A company spokesperson said that the ACCC should be setting prices that mean all companies that use the copper network bear the cost of operating it equally.</p> <p>Over the next few years the cost of operating the network will rise while the number of customers drops. The telco say that their deal with the federal government for the NBN rollout does not account for the increased costs.</p> <p>“If the ACCC reduces access prices on the legacy network, they risk making the transition to the NBN harder for everyone — consumers, industry and NBN Co,” the spokesman said.</p> <p>The price cut is a draft ruling for the ACCC. Further feedback will be sought before making the final ruling come September.</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2015/07/selfie-for-payments/">You'll soon be able to pay for things with a selfie</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2015/07/homelessness-plight-of-older-australians/">The homelessness plight of older Australians</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2015/07/reflections-photo-series/">This photo series captures older people as they once were</a></em></strong></span></p>

News

Our Partners

Over 60

© Copyright 2024 OverSixty.All Rights Reserved.