Landline phones have been around since the 1800s, but because cell phones have become so popular in recent years, many people have begun to think of landlines as obsolete. Not only do they require you to stay in one place while making calls, but they also do not provide the internet services that many mobile phones do. While this technology may seem outdated, there are still many reasons to keep landlines around. Here are five ways landlines are still important.

5 Ways Landlines Are Still Important

Quality

While mobile phones typically allow for a clear connection when you talk to another person, landlines have a better call quality. This is because landlines are not affected by weather conditions or lack of cell towers. When you choose to install iOS compatible home phone services, you have access to the same features as a mobile phone, including call waiting and voicemail, with a crystal-clear connection.

Reliability

If you live in or have traveled through a rural area, you know that cell phone service is spotty at best in some places. When you are too far from a cell tower, your calls may be dropped or may fail to go through properly. In contrast, landlines are reliable. Calls made from home phones will not be dropped and are not affected by how far they are from cell phone towers. Landlines are also great to have during emergencies in case your cell phone malfunctions or gets lost.

Security

Privacy is important, and with so many hackers prowling the internet and phones lines in an effort to extract personal information from consumers like you, you want to make sure your information is safe. Mobile phones are typically easier for criminals to hack than landlines are. Landlines are safer because they require physical tampering rather than virtual interference, so you can be confident that the information you share over a landline is safe.

Cost Efficiency

A cell phone can be expensive, with the most current models costing up to $1,000 or more. You also have to pay for a monthly data and usage plan. Depending upon how many family members you have included in your plan, this can add p to be a significant expense.

In contrast, landline phones are much more reasonably priced. The actual phones are inexpensive, and although you are still required to pay a monthly fee for service, it is usually more affordable than a mobile phone usage plan. Many home phone providers also allow you to bundle the price with your cable and internet service, which can save you a significant amount of money in the long run. If you choose to disconnect home phone service, you will not qualify for a bundle and will likely end up paying more money for fewer services.

Durability

The final element that makes landlines a viable option for consumers is their durability. Modern cell phones are fragile and must be updated and upgraded often to keep them functioning at peak performance. However, a landline typically lasts for many years and requires little to no maintenance for proper performance. Although they are bulkier than mobile phones, landlines are more durable and will not shatter if they are accidentally dropped.

Most American homes today have eliminated landlines. Many people prefer to rely on their cell phones instead of keeping a home phone as a backup, but it is still a good idea to keep landlines around in case of an emergency. While mobile phones may seem like a better option at first because they make communication so convenient, landlines are still viable options because they are reliable and durable with and excellent call quality. If you are considering eliminating a landline from your home, consider these five ways home phones are important before making a decision.

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iLounge author Lucy Bennett

Lucy Bennett is a Contributing Editor at iLounge. She has been writing about Apple and technology for over six years. Prior to joining iLounge, Lucy worked as a writer for several online publications.