Comments on: I Finally Cut the Cord http://gigaom.com/2008/03/07/i-finally-cut-the-cord/ Tracking the Internet Evolution Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:06:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: Cutting the Cord: An Update - GigaOM http://gigaom.com/2008/03/07/i-finally-cut-the-cord/#comment-876136 Cutting the Cord: An Update - GigaOM Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:00:44 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11734#comment-876136 [...] April 29, 2008 at 11:00 AM PT Comments (0) About two months ago, I wrote about my decision to get rid of my land line and rely strictly on my cell phone — with its unlimited plan — for my voice needs. It [...] [...] April 29, 2008 at 11:00 AM PT Comments (0) About two months ago, I wrote about my decision to get rid of my land line and rely strictly on my cell phone — with its unlimited plan — for my voice needs. It [...]

]]> By: Erik Giberti http://gigaom.com/2008/03/07/i-finally-cut-the-cord/#comment-865257 Erik Giberti Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:37:03 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11734#comment-865257 <p>Scott R.</p> <p>Vonage has 911 location services (you need to provide your physical address via the website for it after you activate your service) and most cell phones some level of E911 service although location information is spotty.</p> <p>If you read over this document, you'll see the highlights of what/when to expect reliable emergency service from a cell phone beginning September 11, 2012.</p> <p>http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/wireless911srvc.html</p> Scott R.

Vonage has 911 location services (you need to provide your physical address via the website for it after you activate your service) and most cell phones some level of E911 service although location information is spotty.

If you read over this document, you’ll see the highlights of what/when to expect reliable emergency service from a cell phone beginning September 11, 2012.

(link)

]]> By: Scott R http://gigaom.com/2008/03/07/i-finally-cut-the-cord/#comment-865117 Scott R Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:14:43 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11734#comment-865117 <p>One thing to know - perhaps the last remaining reason to consider a landline is for 911 if you have children. Cell phones don't give a physical location, land lines do. This might be a consideration worth mentioning for those that have small kids..</p> One thing to know - perhaps the last remaining reason to consider a landline is for 911 if you have children. Cell phones don’t give a physical location, land lines do. This might be a consideration worth mentioning for those that have small kids..

]]> By: Brian http://gigaom.com/2008/03/07/i-finally-cut-the-cord/#comment-865042 Brian Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:19:37 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11734#comment-865042 <p>The ONLY reason I have a landline (from my cable company) is because our high speed (15M service), Digital cable are bundled with my voice line for $99 plus taxes (non promotional rate). We usually use it for receiving calls from our relatives.</p> <p>Most of the time, my wife and I talk on our Sprint phones and communicate with our relatives on our mobiles as well. And, when the power fails due to storms or whatnot, my Sprint phone always works.</p> <p>Short story, we have mostly cut the cord, but we haven't because our landline is nearly free. The ala carte price for digial cable plus 15M service exceeds $99 per month. Go figure.</p> The ONLY reason I have a landline (from my cable company) is because our high speed (15M service), Digital cable are bundled with my voice line for $99 plus taxes (non promotional rate). We usually use it for receiving calls from our relatives.

Most of the time, my wife and I talk on our Sprint phones and communicate with our relatives on our mobiles as well. And, when the power fails due to storms or whatnot, my Sprint phone always works.

Short story, we have mostly cut the cord, but we haven’t because our landline is nearly free. The ala carte price for digial cable plus 15M service exceeds $99 per month. Go figure.

]]> By: Jeanette http://gigaom.com/2008/03/07/i-finally-cut-the-cord/#comment-864924 Jeanette Sun, 09 Mar 2008 16:55:50 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11734#comment-864924 <p>After switching to cable phone to save over $100 per month, I had nothing but trouble. When I went back to Verizon, I had no service for three months. Finally, Verizon found the problem: the cable company had cut the wires from the phone box into the house at a point past the service box. In other words, Verizon said my phones were working when they did not and charged me. Today, my monthly charges with Verizon are less than last year for the same services from the same company.</p> <p>If I did not need a landline to do teleseminars, I would cut the cord.</p> <p>As for 911, don't count on the landline phone company answering. We waited for over 20 minutes for them to answer and got faster service from a cell phone.</p> After switching to cable phone to save over $100 per month, I had nothing but trouble. When I went back to Verizon, I had no service for three months. Finally, Verizon found the problem: the cable company had cut the wires from the phone box into the house at a point past the service box. In other words, Verizon said my phones were working when they did not and charged me. Today, my monthly charges with Verizon are less than last year for the same services from the same company.

If I did not need a landline to do teleseminars, I would cut the cord.

As for 911, don’t count on the landline phone company answering. We waited for over 20 minutes for them to answer and got faster service from a cell phone.

]]> By: macdad614 http://gigaom.com/2008/03/07/i-finally-cut-the-cord/#comment-864907 macdad614 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 12:05:10 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11734#comment-864907 <p>Hmmmm, my phone bill is about $45 per month ... thanks to the added charges and taxes that amount to about $15, something the phone company rep didn't mention when he sold me this plan. And the cost continues to increase, something it shouldn't be doing considering the number of people who are cutting their phone lines altogether. When I can be sure I will not have to use the dial-up for my internet, I will save that $45 each month. As for 911 calls, I don't live in a place where that is a major concern. The only times I have had to call 911 recently is when I have been on the highway and someone is driving like a moron in a hurry to get to Hades.</p> Hmmmm, my phone bill is about $45 per month … thanks to the added charges and taxes that amount to about $15, something the phone company rep didn’t mention when he sold me this plan. And the cost continues to increase, something it shouldn’t be doing considering the number of people who are cutting their phone lines altogether. When I can be sure I will not have to use the dial-up for my internet, I will save that $45 each month. As for 911 calls, I don’t live in a place where that is a major concern. The only times I have had to call 911 recently is when I have been on the highway and someone is driving like a moron in a hurry to get to Hades.

]]> By: steveballmer http://gigaom.com/2008/03/07/i-finally-cut-the-cord/#comment-864862 steveballmer Sun, 09 Mar 2008 02:52:02 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11734#comment-864862 <p>Bad move guy! Land is as fast as it gets with MSn.</p> Bad move guy! Land is as fast as it gets with MSn.

]]> By: Andrew http://gigaom.com/2008/03/07/i-finally-cut-the-cord/#comment-864774 Andrew Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:15:36 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11734#comment-864774 <p>@ Chris - you can't be serious about Vonage. It's horrible. My business partner used it and had nothing but problems. There was a couple second delay between when you picked up the phone and heard the other person, and whenever the service went down (at least a couple times a month) any call to his home line would be forwarded to his office line.</p> <p>@ Vinnie - I've received those calls several times as well.</p> @ Chris - you can’t be serious about Vonage. It’s horrible. My business partner used it and had nothing but problems. There was a couple second delay between when you picked up the phone and heard the other person, and whenever the service went down (at least a couple times a month) any call to his home line would be forwarded to his office line.

@ Vinnie - I’ve received those calls several times as well.

]]> By: JT http://gigaom.com/2008/03/07/i-finally-cut-the-cord/#comment-864747 JT Sat, 08 Mar 2008 13:20:35 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11734#comment-864747 <p>I cut the cord about two years ago and I've never looked back.</p> I cut the cord about two years ago and I’ve never looked back.

]]> By: Shaun Dakin http://gigaom.com/2008/03/07/i-finally-cut-the-cord/#comment-864739 Shaun Dakin Sat, 08 Mar 2008 11:46:56 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11734#comment-864739 <p>RE: Political calls and cell phones.</p> <p>Unfortunately, politicians can call ANY number, including cell phones at any time. If you register to vote with a cell phone number they will get it. If you volunteer or contribute to ANY campaign and use your cell phone number they will call you.</p> <p>Exempt from the do not call list, politicians are increasingly using calls and robo calls to contact voters.</p> <p>As I testified in the US Senate recently These calls are an epidemic and are invading the privacy of All American Voters.</p> <p>Our members are taking a stand and saying enough is enough at the National Political Do Not Contact Registry at StopPoliticalCalls.org.</p> <p>Here is a quote from a member this morning:</p> <p>"I find it very frustrating... I tend to get calls at the WORST time. I have a one year old daughter, and it NEVER fails that the phone will ring when I put her down for a nap or for bed. Also my vote is PRIVATE... so who do you think you are calling with a survey to find out who I am voting for!!! Stop calling me."</p> <p>Regards,</p> <p>Shaun Dakin CEO and Founder http://www.stoppoliticalcalls.org</p> RE: Political calls and cell phones.

Unfortunately, politicians can call ANY number, including cell phones at any time. If you register to vote with a cell phone number they will get it. If you volunteer or contribute to ANY campaign and use your cell phone number they will call you.

Exempt from the do not call list, politicians are increasingly using calls and robo calls to contact voters.

As I testified in the US Senate recently These calls are an epidemic and are invading the privacy of All American Voters.

Our members are taking a stand and saying enough is enough at the National Political Do Not Contact Registry at StopPoliticalCalls.org.

Here is a quote from a member this morning:

“I find it very frustrating… I tend to get calls at the WORST time. I have a one year old daughter, and it NEVER fails that the phone will ring when I put her down for a nap or for bed. Also my vote is PRIVATE… so who do you think you are calling with a survey to find out who I am voting for!!! Stop calling me.”

Regards,

Shaun Dakin
CEO and Founder
(link)

]]> By: vinnie mirchandani http://gigaom.com/2008/03/07/i-finally-cut-the-cord/#comment-864726 vinnie mirchandani Sat, 08 Mar 2008 10:22:27 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11734#comment-864726 <p>congrats - it means you survived without a call from Congressman Tom Cole's NRCC office.. This post below has brought me more comments that most others...(there is a second page of comments)</p> <p>http://dealarchitect.typepad.com/deal_architect/2007/06/congressman_tom.html</p> congrats - it means you survived without a call from Congressman Tom Cole’s NRCC office.. This post below has brought me more comments that most others…(there is a second page of comments)

(link)

]]> By: beatofhawaii.com http://gigaom.com/2008/03/07/i-finally-cut-the-cord/#comment-864720 beatofhawaii.com Sat, 08 Mar 2008 08:35:10 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11734#comment-864720 <p>We got rid of our landline 4 years ago and have never missed it. We use VOIP and cell phones. The cell phones work during most power outages. It seemed scary but really, it was just a $600 per year savings at with no downside.</p> We got rid of our landline 4 years ago and have never missed it. We use VOIP and cell phones. The cell phones work during most power outages. It seemed scary but really, it was just a $600 per year savings at with no downside.

]]> By: SlickRick http://gigaom.com/2008/03/07/i-finally-cut-the-cord/#comment-864687 SlickRick Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:37:29 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11734#comment-864687 <p>If you live in the bay area, you live in earthquake country. When the power goes out, a corded phone can still be live. I've experienced this a few times before.</p> If you live in the bay area, you live in earthquake country. When the power goes out, a corded phone can still be live. I’ve experienced this a few times before.

]]> By: Steve Shaw http://gigaom.com/2008/03/07/i-finally-cut-the-cord/#comment-864685 Steve Shaw Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:03:29 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11734#comment-864685 <p>That's too bad. T-Mobile is now offering fixed line VoIP service for $10/month unlimited calling: http://talkforever.t-mobile.com/.</p> <p>It's only available in Dallas (and Seattle) right now so you could have tried it out.</p> That’s too bad. T-Mobile is now offering fixed line VoIP service for $10/month unlimited calling: (link) .

It’s only available in Dallas (and Seattle) right now so you could have tried it out.

]]> By: Tony http://gigaom.com/2008/03/07/i-finally-cut-the-cord/#comment-864676 Tony Fri, 07 Mar 2008 23:16:06 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11734#comment-864676 <p>Hmmm, my local phone bill is about $17/month, so it's worth keeping for reliable 911 and local calls.</p> <p>The best part about not watching much TV: missing all the political ads (even if I'm going to vote for the pol, I generally can't stand their ads).</p> <p>In the fall, the best part about living in a non-competitive state: I get to miss most radio and TV political ads. I feel sorry for the people in swing states like Ohio and Florida.</p> Hmmm, my local phone bill is about $17/month, so it’s worth keeping for reliable 911 and local calls.

The best part about not watching much TV: missing all the political ads (even if I’m going to vote for the pol, I generally can’t stand their ads).

In the fall, the best part about living in a non-competitive state: I get to miss most radio and TV political ads. I feel sorry for the people in swing states like Ohio and Florida.

]]> By: Stacey Higginbotham http://gigaom.com/2008/03/07/i-finally-cut-the-cord/#comment-864675 Stacey Higginbotham Fri, 07 Mar 2008 23:13:35 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11734#comment-864675 <p>I was using a traditional phone line from AT&T. I cut the cord to rely on my mobile. I also use Skype.</p> I was using a traditional phone line from AT&T. I cut the cord to rely on my mobile. I also use Skype.

]]>