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The Decline of the Landline

Death Metal writes "The phone network is thus not just a technical infrastructure, but a socioeconomic one. The more Americans abandon it to go mobile-only or make phone calls over the Internet, the more fragile it becomes: its high fixed costs have to be spread over ever fewer subscribers. If the telephone network in New York State were a stand-alone business, it would already be in bankruptcy. In recent years it has lost 40% of its landlines and revenues have dropped by more than 30%."

7 of 435 comments (clear)

  1. But without landlines... by mano.m · · Score: 5, Funny

    how do you get back out of the Matrix?

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  2. Let me be the first to say: by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 3, Funny

    Kill it with fiber!

  3. Re:Of course it's declining by localman57 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Grandpa still used the outhouse.

    Man. I hate SBC/AT&T as much as the next guy, but even I think that metaphore was pretty harsh...

  4. Re:why would you ... by Twinbee · · Score: 3, Funny

    Can't audio data from cell phones be sent and received in mp3 format? It would improve quality immeasurably by using a digital format like this surely?

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  5. Re:Decline of the Landline by Gerafix · · Score: 4, Funny

    Nonsense, ham radio is far superior than land line, it gives the sound quality an earthly vibrant texture, unlike the harsh undertones of the land line.

  6. Re:Decline of the Landline by tsadi · · Score: 2, Funny

    > It may be OK for the landlines to be removed from service (lotta copper there, to recycle),
    > but only AFTER the wireless networks are robust enough for people to stay connected in emergencies.


    No no no... it's never OK for landlines to be removed from service. It's the only way to get in or out of the Matrix! We don't stand a chance against the machines without it!

  7. Re:Stephen Hawking? by S.O.B. · · Score: 3, Funny

    I don't know how many times Stephen Hawking has called trying to sell me a super collidor, a neutrino detector or some such thing. I keep telling him, "No, I don't have $5B! And stop calling me during dinner!"

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