Re: Cell phone as home phone

["Robert L Bass" <robertlbass@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

>>> Anyone out there using cell phones instead of traditional land lines for
>>> home use?
>>>
>>> Is there a phone that can be dropped into a cradle that would then let
>>> something similar to standard phones be used around the house or are you
>>> stuck with just one phone?
>>
>> We've gone a different route.  I've switched my business phone service to
>> VoIP.  In addition to standard VoIP desk sets throughout my homes (one in
>> Florida and one in Brazil), I'm ordering wireless VoIP phones.  These
>> connect to wired base units in each of four offices.  They drop into the
>> base unit or remote chargers when not in use.
>
> I imagine that this can be a major savings for you.  However the phone
> usage pattern is going to be very different for me.
>
> I currently have dial up internet service and am thinking of moving to a
> high speed connection.  At that point,  my land line phone becomes very
> unused.   I have a minimal cell plan that will be going away and was
> thinking that all my phone calls could be put on one plan.
>
> In my case, the idea is to get rid of one bill (not me) and have a single
> better phone plan.

I understand.  Your needs are different from ours.  We have two US cell
phones and one (soon two) Brazilian cells.  The Brazilian cell phone rates
are much higher, even with the exchange rate, than American plans.  For us
the important thing is to be able to speak to both North and South American
friends, family and customers no matter where we are.  It's a real challenge
finding a single service that will fill the bill (not you:)).

There are several fixed station cellular devices on the market that were
designed to retransmit alarm signals over the cellular network if the phone
line is down.  Some people even use them as their primary reporting medium.
A few models allow wired-in phones in the home to utilize the cellular
network.  These units record the DTMF (touch-tone) signals from inside
phones, translate it into cellular control signals and make a connection.

The above devices would be a good option for your situation but, alas, most
are analog and there's this thing called a "sunset clause" which will render
them useless after a few years.  Only God and the CIA know how long. God
doesn't leak information but...  :^)



--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
941-866-1100 Sales & Tech Support
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
=============================>