Hanging Up The Landline

As mobile phones become more reliable, and quality becomes better, more people are hanging up their landlines for good.  Some do it to save money, others to thwart telemarketers and help ensure privacy.

A survey by the National Center for Health Statistics says 16% of U.S. homes are now cell phone only.  The use of household landlines has reduced to the level it was in the late 1960’s.

The survey showed that a third of the people aged 25 - 29 live in cell phone only homes, for those 18 - 24 the percentage rises to 34%.  For 30 - 44 year olds, the percentage drops to 15%, for 45 - 64 it was 8% and for 65 and older it was just over 2%.

As cell phones continue to improve in quality and coverage, the trend is likely to continue.  Cable companies now offer land-line phone service while at your home, which will extend to the wireless network when you are away.

What are your thoughts?  Are landlines going the way of the Dodo?  Where do you think the future of communication devices lie, and why?