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Cut Phone Cord Without Cutting Service
"VERNON HILLS, Ill. -- A growing number of consumers are dropping their telephone landlines for wireless as cellular calling packages become increasingly attractive and network reliability continues to improve. This year, 14.4% of U.S. consumers are using a wireless phone as their primary phone, and nearly one third of all U.S. wireless subscribers will not have residential landline phone service by 2008, according to a report from In-Stat/MDR."When you add the cost savings from discarding a landline to the declining prices of wireless packages, the appeal of replacing wired service for wireless is hard to ignore," says Ken Millard, chief executive officer of Telular Corp.As more and more users cut the cord, however, they are finding that a mobile phone can be limiting as the sole means of communication, especially at home, he adds.One solution to these problems for "all-wireless" users, says Millard, is a technology called cellular fixed wireless, which enables consumers to use all of their existing home phone equipment, including speakerphones, cordless phones, fax machines, PC modems, digital video recorders and alarm systems, over cellular networks.A cellular fixed wireless device can be plugged into any home phone jack and will instantly connect all the equipment linked to that phone line to the wireless network.Unlike mobile phones, cellular fixed wireless devices are stationary, provide a more powerful antenna for better reception and produce a dial tone, he said.With multi-phone shared wireless plans, users can include a cellular fixed wireless device for the home for as little as $10 per month in the same package with their mobile phones, and benefit from the cost savings and convenience of managing one phone bill.About a year ago, the Stepan family of Fridley, Minn., chose to go "all wireless" when they replaced their home's landline connection with a cellular fixed wireless terminal. "We'll never go back to a landline phone," says Jamison Stepan. "The cost savings alone are significant. With our cellular fixed wireless terminal, we also enjoy reliable voice quality using our familiar phone equipment."Cutting the cord is not for everyone. Even with new options like cellular fixed wireless for the home, Millard says the decision to go all wireless should take into account the following considerations:Coverage. Determine which wireless providers can offer good coverage in your home. How will the service provider guarantee you'll have coverage and channel availability at all times? Can the provider offer a range of antenna solutions to ensure the highest quality signal?Planned Usage. Will your wireless service serve as a second line for teenagers or a true replacement of landline service? Also, what features do you need, and do you need a long distance option?Cost. If you plan to have both a cellular fixed wireless device in your home and a mobile handset for traveling, estimate how many minutes you'll need to cover your usage patterns and choose a package that offers a bundled solution with enough minutes.911 Calls. Ensure your provider is managing emergency calls with GPS location technology or a database that links your street address to your fixed wireless number.Reliability. If you experience frequent outages with landline service, a cellular fixed wireless device with a battery backup could be the solution. A cellular fixed wireless service can also be a reliable alternative for security systems in the home (no outside wires to cut).Keeping Your Number. With number portability laws, you shouldn't have a problem switching your current home number to your wireless carrier. Be aware that if you move out of the area, your service provider may require you to give up that number with your wireless connection.Telular Corp. is a designer and manufacturer of fixed wireless products.Visit Telular Corp.: www.telular.comThis article is new this week in The Business Journal's small business how-to section. To see what else is new, click here or click on the "how-to" tab at the top of The Daily Business Journal Online home page."