When was the last time I used a landline while living in the U.S...? Oh, right. It was during the days when I heard the modem sound while using the internet.

Back then, we used one phone line for both internet and calls, and if someone picked up the phone, the internet would disconnect.

I remember connecting the modem to access the internet, and if someone called at home, I would shout, "I'm downloading!!!" during that time.

But did you know that landlines are still alive? As of 2024, about 25% of American households still use them.

Many people might barely remember the last time they used a landline, but it shows that the wired phone is not completely dead yet.

Most of these users are elderly people living in rural areas. That's why many apartments these days don't even have jacks for phone lines.

Someone needs to apply for an AT&T phone line... Just having a single mobile phone with strong Wi-Fi is enough.

Living in the city, those who insist on having a landline often transfer their number to an internet phone or cancel it due to the cost.

On the other hand, it's a bit different in rural areas. If you go to places like Montana, Wyoming, or Nebraska, you'll still find a phone attached to the wall in every household, connected by a phone line.

The reason is simple. There is no cell phone signal. In fact, there are still many dead zones for mobile phones in the U.S. Especially in mountainous areas, near national parks, and in Indian reservations. There, having a landline is necessary to call for police or rescue in emergencies.

Honestly, from a young person's perspective, using a landline at home or in business raises the question, "Why pay that much for something I don't need?"

Typically, the basic fee for a landline is around $30 to $40 a month, and with international calling options and additional services, it easily exceeds $50.

Moreover, mobile phone plans can be as low as $25 for prepaid, with much more data, free texts, and unlimited calls.

Plus, using apps like KakaoTalk, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger makes international calls almost free.

However, it's a bit ambiguous to conclude that landlines are necessarily inefficient.

Some telecom companies sell bundled packages of home internet + TV + landline as a 3-in-1 deal, so if you don't have a landline, you might miss out on bundle discounts. This is where people say, "I don't need a phone, just install it for me."

Another reason is that landlines work even during power outages, so in areas prone to natural disasters where cell phones don't work, there is still a reason for landlines to survive.

Just like film cameras, there are still loyal users, and in some areas, they are still necessary.

In regions prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, and wildfires, they can truly become a lifeline.