Since we dispensed with a landline, there are one-or-two aspects we've noticed that we miss.
But first of all, there's the things that we don't miss. The automated offshore incoming call centres trying to tell us that our Windows computer is broken. Or that there's another financial instrument that could be of interest. Or that we should claim for a recent accident (which we haven't had).
We also agree that the real people that dial the landline tend to be family. No-one else generally bothers; they all use mobile numbers or messaging.
What is handy, however, is being able to give a landline number to a delivery vehicle. It needs to have the right prefix, of course. Virtualised private numbers still confuse. Then, having a phone that can ring throughout the house. In the lounge, the kitchen, upstairs, even on the top floor. And the reassurance of an old-school answerphone. With a light that flashes.
I expect the days of this whole technology are numbered, but I've resurrected its use without the necessity of deploying BT. So we now have a proper area code landline number. No actual landline, instead a tiny VOIP gadget that converts the internet signal back to analogue and can then be beamed around the house on a DECT carrier.
It works fine, provides a reassuring standard British dial tone, a clearer voice signal than the old slightly scratchy twisted copper pair and includes a proper E999 service. There's also a few additional features like being able to pickup landline calls from a mobile even when away from home. Our DECT handsets all have speakerphone as well, and there's unlimited UK landline and mobile calling included.
Even with next year's projected reduction in BT landline costs, this capability is still much cheaper. What's not to like?
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