Over the past few years, a number of Canadians have wavered between keeping their landline and getting rid of it in favor of their cellphone. While home phones are still very popular in our nation - a Primus Canada survey in mid-2012 revealed that 83 per cent of Canadian households still have landlines - as new cellphone features emerge, the question might be a tough one.
Some people could say that because cells are portable and are able to be used almost anywhere with coverage, they might not need a more traditional home phone.
That's not the case, though. In fact, there are a number of conversations that people are only going to want to have on home phone lines, for many different reasons. For instance, these phones are often more secure, reliable and usable because coverage isn't an issue.
So when will a Canadian want to favour their home phone over their cellphone? There are certain times when a house phone should be used at all costs, meaning that it would likely be detrimental to get rid of the technology so soon.
1. Interviews
While a dropped call might be inconvenient if you're on the phone with a friend or family member, it can have longer-lasting effects if this happens during a conversation with a potential employer. The hiring manager might see this as a lack of interest or a failure to invest in good technology.
Even Cosmopolitan Magazine counted speaking on a landline as one of the essential tips to follow when being interviewed over the phone. The magazine said that these types of phones are the only way to go because, "Having a crystal clear voice and eliminating the chance of a dropped call is so worth it."
2. In an emergency
When you need to call the authorities and you have the choice between a landline and cellphone, home phone lines can often be more accurate. The GPS features on cellphones cannot always pinpoint exactly where the caller is, which can be crucial in the case of an accident.
A landline's number is directly connected to the home's address, so dispatchers would be able to tell where the call came from without having to be given instructions.
3. Chats with extended family
When Canadians share their phone numbers with members of their extended families, they tend to rattle off the number to their home phone. The alternative is asking aunts, cousins and other people to update their phone books each time a cell number changes.
According to the Primus survey, 67 per cent of Canadians primarily speak to their extended family members on their house phones.
"The message we hear from Canadians is that their home phone gives their family and household a central contact point for those who are most important to them, such as family and friends," explained Primus Canada Senior Vice President of Residential Services Rob Warden.
Also, this relates back to the sentiment about having a clear connection during interviews. Are you going to want to explain to your grandmother why you accidentally hung up on her if you drop a cellphone call?
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