Landlines are the future, not past, of telecommunications

Landline telephone connections are likely to become more important in the lives of households, even though home phone use is declining, according to Sure Cable & Wireless Communications.

A UK survey revealed that a quarter of the population with a landline have not used it in the past six months. Of those who have, 64% said that it was for incoming calls only. 9% of people with a line said that they don’t have a phone plugged in – they have the connection only for the internet.

Guernsey figures reflect a similar story. More than 18% of Sure’s 40,000-plus fixed line customers have not made a call from that line in the past six months.

The use of landlines has declined in recent years as mobile calls have become cheaper and people make more use of their mobiles.

But they are still a lifeline connection for people without mobiles, and are required for people with broadband at home.

Jess Bisson, Marketing and PR Manager for Sure, said that in the future landlines would be imperative for bringing multi-media technologies direct to islanders’ homes.

“Maybe we should be using our landlines more,” she said. “After all, calls are cheaper and you can talk for longer for less on a landline.

“But we’re all aware of the convenience of the mobile and the survey results are no surprise to us.

“I know people might think why they should have a landline today? But you need that connection for a broadband link and in the future, as technology develops, the landline connection is going to open up entertainment in our homes.

“We’re making continual investment in these lines to improve our service for customers and prepare them for the future, while continuing to have landline rental charges among the lowest in Europe.”

Miss Bisson added that she could understand increased mobile use on the Sure network.

“With our extensive coverage of the island on our mobile network, I can understand why Sure customers would use their mobile rather than their home phone because in terms of service quality, it’s virtually the same.”