WSJ: Prepare To Hang Up the Phone — Forever

retroworks writes: "Telecom giants AT&T and Verizon Communications are lobbying states, one by one, to hang up the plain, old telephone system, what the industry now calls POTS — the copper-wired landline phone system whose reliability and reach made the U.S. a communications powerhouse for more than 100 years. Is landline obsolete, and should be immune from grandparents-era social protection? The article continues, 'Last week, Michigan joined more than 30 other states that have passed or are considering laws that restrict state-government oversight and eliminate "carrier of last resort" mandates, effectively ending the universal-service guarantee that gives every U.S. resident access to local-exchange wireline telephone service, the POTS. (There are no federal regulations guaranteeing Internet access.) ... In Mantoloking, N.J., Verizon wants to replace the landline system, which Hurricane Sandy wiped out, with its wireless Voice Link. That would make it the first entire town to go landline-less, a move that isn't sitting well with all residents."

Re:Cellular doesn't work

[Osgeld]

stop using sprint, DUH

Re:Hello 911?

[i.r.id10t]

And honestly when seconds count the police are only a few minutes away.

In your sitation my phone call wouldve been notifying the police to have them pick up 2 guys who are approaching ambient temperature due to a nasty case of lead and copper poisoning