Before You Cut Your Landline...

7 reasons to think twice.

- Rick Muscoplat

Almost half of all homeowners in the United States have dropped their hardwired telephone service and rely on cellular service only. That saves money every month and might be a smart move for you. But there’s more to it than money. We talked to tech experts and with homeowners who have cut their landlines and have lots of regrets. So before you cut the cord, consider these possible drawbacks:

1. UNRELIABILITY. If you’re frustrated by problems like dropped calls, you might become even more frustrated when you no longer have a hardwired alternative line at home.

2. SPOTTY RECEPTION. Next time you’re on your cell phone, walk through your entire house. If you get poor reception in some areas and still want to drop your landline, consider installing a cell booster system or a portable phone system with multiple extensions that works with your cell service. Go to familyhandyman.com and search for “cell booster.”