Jimmy Johnson
NT1310
Monday Night

Unit 1 Lab 1: Data on Fixed Line vs. Cellular Debate

As many as one in six American households have given up their landline and are using only their cell phone, according to Steven Blumberg, a senior scientist at the Center for Disease Control’s Statistics department. If you are among the millions of Americans who are weighing the pros and cons of landlines vs. cell phones, here are a few things to consider.

Cost:
The most common reason to choose a cell phone is that in most areas, the cost of a cell phone plan is lower than the cost of a landline, especially when you count the cost of a long distance calling plan. However, the “per month” cost that many carriers quote can be misleading. As you compare the cost of a cell vs. a landline, consider these factors:
•Do you need any services that aren’t covered in this plan? For example, will you be taking your cell phone out of the call area (i.e. roaming)? Does the cost of your landline plan include voice mail and caller ID?
•Does your cell phone plan require a multi-year contract commitment? If so, what is the cost of ending your contract?
•How much time do you spend talking on the phone, and when do you make your calls? Some providers offer free incoming calls, or free nights and weekends, but those aren’t helpful if you make lots of outbound calls during business hours.
•How many people will use the phone? If you have a large family, you can ensure that everyone has a cell phone by using a family plan… but the cost of a family plan can greatly exceed the cost of a single residential line.

Lifestyle:
People who prefer cell phones often have very different lifestyles than people who prefer landlines. As you decide whether to switch to a cell, ask yourself:
•Do you want to be in the phone book? If so, you’ll need a landline.
•Do you want to be easy to reach? Many