If there is a widespread power outage, the cell tower network could go down, and then you'd have no way to call 911. Land-lines have their own power supply independent from the grid and stay up during electrical outages. This is the reason it's not a good idea to have 'Net based phone service coupled with a cell as your only phone service. Always a good idea to keep a hardwired landline, especially in your home, just for this reason. I know, fifty bucks a month is kind of steep for a "just in case" emergency situation that may never come up. Everyone has to weigh this issue for themselves. On 8/2/07, erikhansen@thebluezone.net <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
When calling 911 your carrier is not supposed to be an issue, even on deactivated phones. If you dial 911 and don't get connect FCC regulations have been violated. I think that also applies to 511.