Land line telephones transmit signals via a network of cables, which are either buried or suspended along poles. Since the rise of cellular technology, land line phones have increasingly been used as secondary modes of communication. While cell phones offer benefits such as mobility, text messaging and web browsing, traditional land line phones still provide several advantages.
Reliability
Land line phones can be more reliable than their cellular counterparts. Disconnected cables can disable land lines, but these problems are easily remedied. On the other hand, cellular phones are plagued by several different issues because they rely on a network of radio waves, cellular towers and satellites. In some areas, cellular service is plagued by dropped calls and fuzzy reception.
Emergencies
The reliability of land line phones makes them advantageous when it comes to emergencies. For example, if someone is hurt and needs immediate medical care, you do not have to worry about contending with poor reception. Land lines also provide a fixed location that emergency responders can rush to. On a cell phone, you must state your address or describe your location, which wastes precious time during a crisis.
Comfort
Many users find that land line phones are more comfortable to use than cell phones. The larger size of a land line phone allows users to more easily cradle the phone between their head and shoulder. This frees the hands for other activities, such as cleaning, cooking or typing.
Security
Because data is transmitted via a fixed medium, land line phones are more secure than cell phones. Special equipment can easily intercept cell phone conversations, which are transmitted freely through the air via radio waves. Bugging devices are needed to intercept land line conversations, and these devices must be physically installed in the phones or phone wires.
Price
In general, land line phones are much less expensive than their cellular counterparts. The setup costs, hardware costs and calling costs of cell phones are all typically higher. Most land line phone service providers offer free local calls.
