American households now spend more on cell service than landlines

By on Dec 21, 2007 at 9:58 AM
News December 21, 2007

Given the recent surge of mobile phone and device use, we’re surprised that this has yet to happen, but it looks like 2007 might mark the first year during which the average U.S. household will end up spending more money on cellular service than landlines. As you can well imagine, landline use has been declining for quite some time, with many families and individuals getting rid of their landline service entirely in favor of a mobile solution. In 2006 consumers spent an average of $524 on their cell service, compared with an average of $542 on their landlines. When the chips fall at the end of ’07, however, the numbers are expected to have shifted in favor of the cellular industry. Nice work, guys!

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  • CharlesA

    A small price to pay for mobility and insurance while on the road and out of state. My wife and I spend +/- $120.oo per month = $1200.oo year on at&t mobility. We only keep our at&t landline for our home alarm system, fax and DSL. Happy Holidays BGR!

  • SLVR6

    Haven’t has a land line for over 4 years now. My kids think it’s strange that Grandma has a phone with a cord!

  • mingkee

    it spends much more on cellular than landline
    Verizon landline (POTS) is just $10/month, plus 3MB DSL is $30/month
    T-Mobile, on the other side, cost me $60 for voice+text message+tethering

  • Vince

    I really read “landmines”…

  • Quint101

    I havent had a landline in my place since I stayed on campus three years ago… only because the school paid for the line. I wanted something tht is flexible and goes with me. It helps that the my carrier has a site about 1/3 mile from my place, so I have full service at home and good service everywhere else.

    Embarq would be probably be cheaper, but I dont want to have 2 lines… and they dont seem too flexible. I am spending $120 for 2 lines, internet, and messaging. Its kinda high but I like what I am getting.

  • Dtest54

    haven’t had a landline since 2001 and have not missed it at all. no need for it.

  • Jeff B.

    OMG go freakin’ figure. Landlines are going to be phased out in a few years. Just look at how many cell providers and models there are and this should be old news by now.

  • Mike

    Well, the safety and traceability of a landline is excellent for emergency purposes and situations. I have had more problems with my cell phone and calls not going through in certain situations than my landline in comparison. For me it’s really cheap to have a landline around and I probably won’t be getting rid of it any time soon.

  • Robert Padilla

    I have gone land line free for about 8 months. I don’t really miss it. I think in a few years we will hopefully be covered as good as Europe is.

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