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Telephone Service

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Deborah:
Whadda ya think about this?
I was recently forced by Time Warner to sign up for their new digital phone service or select a different provider.
After a week of research, what I learned is that our old phone system is about to become obsolete. The plan is to do away with the copper (analog)telephone lines and move to digital or fiber optics. I'm wondering if the copper lines will continue to run dialup internet service.

As I understand, digital (voip) runs on computer lines and you won't have service during power failure or cable outages. No 911. Based on my experience with cable outages, not an option. Solution, as it was suggested, a cell phone for back up. That's right, in order to ensure that you have tele service in a crisis, one must purchase a cell phone, doubling their monthly expense for phone service. What a deal!!!

Fiber optics, same thing, but it can be equiped with a battery back up. So you'd have phone service for as long as the battery had power.

I'm wondering what one would do in a major disaster like Katrina, or worse? At best, you'd have 8 hours or so of phone service, then nothing until power was restored.

I'm wondering if this decision is across the board. Will emergency service providers, hospitals, and such remain on copper or switch to digital/fios? What are the implications during disaster?  

I recall a number of years ago, before everyone had cell phones, a bad storm blew through knocking out the power. I was the only person in our neighborhood with a phone that worked without electricity, therefore was able to report it; and still have a $5 phone I can plug into a tele jack if/when the power is out.

What was wrong with our old copper line telephone system that work, even when there's a power failure? What is behind the change? What if any, are the benefits. I'm sorry, voice clarity isn't that much better. Makes me uncomfortable that communication will be dependent on electrical power.

And as an aside, what about 'deregulation' being to our benefit, making phone service more competitive, lower rates. What a joke.
My mom still has a analog phone, and is on a party line (bet ya didn't know they still exist), although she's been to only person for years. The cost for her basic monthly service?  $17.80, and that's with tax and fees. Out of curiosity I checked, the cheapest basic phone service you can purchase now is a minimum of $30. Then of course, there is the 20 some dollars of taxes and fees.

Froderik:
I don't know Deborah.. I often ponder this sort of thing. I have a 'regular' phone too for power outages. (Seems like a no-brainer, but then a lot of ppl these days seem a bit deprived in the common sense dept.)

Oh and the transfer quality (audibility) with most celluar technology leaves a lot to be desired..  

Side note: I guess this topic qualifies as political enough; don't think we need yet another forum..

Ursus:
I prefer the phones that still work whether or not the power is out.  We are pretty much guaranteed to get at least 2 power outages a year here.  Anything that is the least bit fussy, and I include $10 timers in that boat due to past experience, is hooked up to surge protectors before they access the juice.  I also find the quality of land lines infinitely better than that of cellular phones.  That, I am sure, is dependent on your area.

Anonymous:
::phone::

Antigen:
Oh, that's because we're using an.... evolved definition of the term "deregulation".

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