@Alison Yes, while the hardest hit areas didn't have cell service either, it did stay up for my area even when the regular phone and electric power was down. But I was not able to get through to some of the village numbers because they didn't have the phone forwarded to a cell.

After my region of Florida was hit by four hurricanes in the mid-1990s, we had terrible problems getting through on cell phones because the towers were overloaded. Fast forward to 2012, and you can see how much better coverage is. After all, the tri-state area of New York/New Jersey is much more heavily populated, and still people were able to get through via cell, thank goodness. 

Yes, I think email is increasingly preferred, precisely because we can answer it when convenient.  But there are also still people who expect their emails to be treated like important phone calls, receiving an immediate response!

@dcawrey Those businesses that do forward their lines to a cell phone were still reachable during the those days and even weeks after Hurricane Sandy when regular phone lines were down and power was out. Those who just relied on land lines were out of luck and out of reach.

@ dcawrey,

I am in the process of deciding how best to manage phones for my business, which is largely done by phone in my home office.  I agree that having a desk phone has it's advantages, such as being able to put do not disturb on it. 

However, overall I think phones will be streamlined to "less is more" devices as evidenced by the cell phone trend.

I agree, Kim. Days can go by when I don't speak to anyone via phone -- any phone, landline or cell -- as most business communication is via email or IM. I find that much more convenient, since you can answer at your own convenience vs. having to break off from whatever you're doing to pick-up the phone and answer. It used to be that you had to figure out how people preferred to communicate: For every one who liked email, there was someone who preferred phone. Nowadays it seems that most folk would rather you contact them, at least initially, via email. Of course, I'm sure there are exceptions, but they are rare!

I have a desk phone, but I barely use it. Like the examples in this article, I pretty much just forward everything from my desk extension to my cell phone. I find it easier because I am often not even at my desk. One central, mobile device where all of my business calls go is really the best solution - at least it is for me. 

Would I want to do away with the desk phone? Not really. I like it as a conduit. And if I need to be left alone I can turn off the forwarding and set it to do not disturb. It's great to hear I'm not the only one who likes this setup. 

I would be interested to know the answer to this myself. Although my first answer would most likely be 'no.' Landlines are essential but at the same time, I think there are already so many alternatives that provide better services but at equal or lesser costs.

Thanks for your response. So my next question is: Is there a technological way back for the Landline? 

Good poingt, Kim

I may do 4 to 8 formal phone interviews in a work day, but the quick chat calls to colleagues rarely happen - perhaps a couple a month.  Often we're both on cellphones.  (I do a lot of that calling when I'm out on my daily, hour-long walk.)