
HELLO…who is there?

Disclaimer: I am going to sound like someone out of the dark ages.
We are looking into getting a telephone, yes you heard me a telephone, you know historically those archaic things which pretend to be an ornament, not one which you want to display, but you kind of have to!
We haven’t had a telephone in our house in ages, and quite honestly my husband and I don’t need one, but with young kids around, and me being the, ‘you’ll only get a cell phone when you’re 14 years old type of parent (it used to be 16, I’ve already compromised…work with me here!) we find ourselves at this point.
For those of you wondering why I am even considering such a thing, here’s my list….and for those of you who want to read more about landline phones and VoIP – you can skip along to the bottom!
Here’s my list…
- I can phone the kids (and my husband) any time when I am not at home to reach them.
- I like that our littlies can learn 3 important numbers – myself, their dad, and 112 for emergencies. It’s good for them to memorize some important numbers – you never know when or if they may need it.
- I’m a retro chick and the retro chick in me actually likes that I get to have an actual conversation with my kids, plus they get to learn a little about phone etiquette, a somewhat lost art form with the kids of this generation.
- Have you SEEN the wild and wolf phones – there’s an iconic rose gold telephone, I am SOLD!
- The phone won’t get lost (we had a spare cell phone, which we tried using as the ‘house’ phone – it’s probably stuck between a couch encrusted with popcorn, since we haven’t seen it in who knows how many years.)
- I’m also secretly using it as my excuse as to why a cell phone isn’t necessary for the kids, just yet…sshhh!


So here’s the facts…
When it comes to connectivity most South Africans are moving over to fiber/VoIP phones as traditional phone lines and ADSL lines are slowly being discontinued.
What is VoIP ? Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), uses a broadband connection.
- VoIP connections can be made anywhere that there is internet.
- It runs on Fibre or Fixed LTE.
- It’s monthly costs prove to be very cost effective.
- Systems often include add-on features like voicemail, call analytics, anonymous call rejection and voicemail-to-text transcription.
- It does not require a telephone line.
- You will need a UPS when our ‘friend’ Eskom visits.
- There are several service providers.
- The call quality is said to be better than other lines.
- You will be able to take your existing landline number with you over to VoIP.
What is a landline ? South Africa’s traditional landline uses copper telephone lines to communicate, the system is otherwise known as analog connection.
- Telkom is the sole provider.
- It uses copper lines, which are known to be stolen for their value.
- Fixed lines can take days or weeks to install.
- You can order a land line online or by phone.
- One of it’s pros is that the phone can still be used during a power cut.
Very good write-up. I certainly appreciate this site.
Keep writing!