August 7, 2008

Nearly half of U.S. residents have stated that they would oppose the use of cell phones on flights – even if there wasn’t an issue of the cell phone use interfering with onboard communication systems.

August 5, 2008

Ikea will offer pay-as-you-go phones. But only to customers in Britain, says Business Week, who announced the Sweden based company’s decision
August 5, 2008

A report by the Associated Press reveals that members of Congress are grumbling about the danger and annoyance of cell phone usage on airplanes. In fact, they think cell phones should be banned on airplanes permanently.
August 1, 2008

Sprint is offering a new type of hardware which will boost cellular phone signals within your home or office. The new femtocell hardware is called the Airwave. Samsung makes them and, basically, they are like a small, localized cell phone tower.

Wanna Cut Off Your Landline? Think Twice….

According to a WINK News story on May 26, more and more households in the US are doing away with landlines and opting for cell phones as their only means of connectivity. Those in favor of depending on cell phones only argue, and quite convincingly so, that if you have a cell phone you are constantly connected with the callers able to reach you wherever you are. If you add to it the convenience of carrying a cell phone – it can be in your pocket, purse or in your car without being obtrusive or bothersome in any way, it is surely a winner all the way. This logic is so strong and has so many takers that a recent survey showed that only one out six households now have landlines. In absolute terms, the number of landline holders is now more or less at the same level as it was during 1960s.

There are also a vast number of people who would, only if they could, do away with their landlines. They can't dump their landlines because in most of the cases these lines are linked with their internet connectivity and fax services. So, it seems they are just bearing with the additional charge of $100 per month for a landline, not because they are getting any particular benefit from it as such, but because this facility is inextricably linked with other facilities which they simply can't do without. Landline, it seems, has become a necessary nuisance for them.

But think twice before dumping your landline. In case of an emergency, it becomes much easier for the emergency workers to pinpoint your exact location if the call is made from a landline. Also, home alarm companies usually operate through landlines to warn of possible break-ins. Then, take the case of national surveys done by various governmental agencies. These surveys are usually conducted through interviews over landlines. Imagine the consequences of a governmental decision taken on a vital issue as health based on a survey which leaves out a sizeable portion of the population.

So, if possible, maintain your landline connection.

(May 28, 2008)

 

   
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