PC Pals Forum

Technical Help & Discussion => General Tech Discussion, News & Q&A => Topic started by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 18:01

Title: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 18:01

British government workers are getting a two-day taste of life without fixed line phones. But how easily would the rest of us surrender our landline?

You pick up the phone on your desk and there is no dialling tone. Your colleague does the same.

It's a scenario repeated across the country, in a catastrophic nationwide communications failure caused by a natural disaster or cyber attack.

And this week it is happening. At least, it is for civil servants.

An exercise called White Noise, in which the "public switched telephone network" is disabled, is being simulated by Whitehall, in London, to test the response of government and the communications industry to such an emergency.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8355504.stm

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Rik on November 12, 2009, 18:04

So they jam up the mobile network and the rest of us can't get through. ;D

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 18:14

I think it would make a difference to business users, as they probably still use office landlines a lot, but if it weren't for Broadband, I would certainly manage without my home phone.

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Rik on November 12, 2009, 18:21

Though some numbers, eg 08xx, are much cheaper on landlines.

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 18:27

True.  Free, in fact, with some providers.  :)

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Rik on November 12, 2009, 18:28

I wonder when companies using 0800 will wake up to the fact that a lot of their callers will be using mobiles and, hence, paying?

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 18:36

I don't use 08xx on my mobile.  I always find the geographical number.  :)

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Rik on November 12, 2009, 18:38

I do where I can. IDNet, though, are careful to give both, others should follow suit.

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 18:42

I think I've got more numbers for IDNet on my phone, than anyone else!

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Rik on November 12, 2009, 18:44

I know what you mean. :)

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Clive on November 12, 2009, 19:24

No landline phone would be bliss!  No more illegal junk phone calls!   :D

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Rik on November 12, 2009, 19:25

Just junk SMS. :(

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 19:30

TPS (http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps/) is your friend, Clive.  :)

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Clive on November 12, 2009, 19:42

I'm on TPS Simon but some still get through.  >:(

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 19:46

Really?  It's been quite successful for me, and I'm also extremely careful about ticking and unticking boxes on websites I order from, otherwise, once they get your number, you've had it.

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Clive on November 12, 2009, 19:52

Most are those evil automated calls but there are also the unsolicited calls from companies or banks I have previously dealt with.  I never give out my phone number now. 

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 20:05

When you get an automated call, apparently, if you quickly and randomly click the hash and star keys, it screws up the machine, and it will 'forget' your number.  Don't know how true that is, but I've heard it a few times.

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Clive on November 12, 2009, 20:17

Sounds like an urban myth to me!   ;D

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: sam on November 12, 2009, 21:37

yeah sounds like it, but why not....

Title: Re: The slow death of landline phones
Post by: Simon on November 12, 2009, 22:21

Apparently, you have to do it during the pause, before the machine starts to speak.