I currently have a landline phone and an online phone. I have been seriously considering getting rid of my landline to save money, but want to know how the veteran VA's feel about making this move. I have used my online phone without any problems and it is very inexpensive. It has been reliable, but not sure if it is wise to cancel my landline service for my practice. What do you think?

I currently use an online fax service through RingCentral. And my online phone through Skype have voicemail, call waiting, conference calling, and long distance.

I haven't had a land line phone in about 8 years. I don't see that as something I'll change - ever.

The only time I could see a potential problem for your business would be if your power/cable (or whatever your internet connection is) went down for an extended period of time. But, in 8 years, that's never been a problem for me so...

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Amanda Moore
Virtual Assistant
VagabondetteVA Blog

Thanks Amanda!

You pointed out the only problem I had a minor concern about (power/cable) outage. I currently have DSL service (it alone is expensive). I figure if I remove the landline, I could save on my monthly bill. Skype has been wonderful and they have recently released cordless phones to connect to either your PC or DSL modem.

Thanks for the feedback.

Hi there, great question! We're big proponents of VOIP and don't have a landline, nor do we have a cel, or a blackberry, or a Palm, or a Treo or any of those other wired-24/7 devices BUT I am realizing one issue and one issue alone may cause us to reinstate a landline or go for a prepaid cel and that is that you can't make emergency calls with Skype, etc. and then of course if you lose your connection for any period of time you don't have a phone at all (not as big a deal for me as the lack of 911 access with a new baby on the way...)

We're ordering a phone from Skype and it's great because you don't have to have your computer on to use the phone, it accesses your wireless network just like a PC or laptop would.

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Wow! I'm impressed.

I do have a cell phone (blackberry) - can't live without it. I use to access my emails and have the ability to respond quickly to important messages. I rarely use my landline and very few have the number. Since, I have my cell for back-up calls and 911, I do not see a need for a landline. I think I'm going to cut the cord.

I love Skype! I have a local number, voicemail, and just as you said, do not have to be tied to my computer anymore. I love it.

I stripped my landline, but I still needed it to support my DSL. I also worried about emergencies, especially because I have a child with heart condition, but even with a stripped line, I can still call out on it, if needed and use 911. I love my VOIP line and I haven't had any problems with it! I also use RingCentral and take advantage of their free faxing!

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Doreen R. Patrick, MVA, ACS, CIVA
www.virtualbusinesspartners.net

I have contemplated but, with 3 kids fighting over the phone and for 911 purposes I have decided for now to hang onto it.

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Dawn Riley
A Virtual Assistant in Paradise
Our business is about making yours better

I have a problem in this area. I can't get cable internet. All I can get is DSL...but I need my landline in order to have DSL. I would rather not use my landline and get a VOIP line (btw if anybody knows good company's who offer VOIP besides Vonage, that'd be cool to know). I also have a cell phone. So I have to keep my landline but I don't want to use only that for business purposes because it's expensive! We only have one phone/internet company in our area and they totally rip us off because we can't go anywhere else.

I've heard that you don't actually have to have phone service to get DSL service, you just have to have the lines. However, this could only apply to areas with a bit more competition.

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Amanda Moore
Virtual Assistant
VagabondetteVA Blog

Originally Posted by VagabondetteVA

I've heard that you don't actually have to have phone service to get DSL service, you just have to have the lines. However, this could only apply to areas with a bit more competition.

I'll have to double check with my phone company. They are ridiculous when it comes to ripping ppl off. They make you sign contracts too...like as if we'd switch to someone else...there is nobody else! lol