IS THE END IN SIGHT FOR FIXED-LINE PHONES?
In the US, one in five homes is without a landline as more people cut the cord during the recession.
Research conducted for the European Commission at the end of 2007 suggested 15% of UK households had mobile phone access but were without a fixed phone line into their home, 2% up from 2006.
But that's still a small proportion compared with the Czech Republic (63%) and Finland (61%), which is home to the world's biggest mobile phone maker, Nokia.
For many young people, the idea of a landline phone is already anachronistic, says Ben Highmore, a lecturer in old and new technology at University of Sussex. They would not be without their mobile phones, which give them instant communication and a host of additional services, including email,text messaging and the internet.
However, a lot of older people have a strong, psychological attachment to landline phones. They can also be wary of modern technology.
"Having a landline is about having a commitment to place as much as anything," says Mr Highmore, himself speaking from a landline phone.
"Mobile phones are about mobility in a much deeper sense than just convenience. It's about not being rooted in the same way as a landline, which gives a feeling of stability."
Of course, many people think that their phone bills will be much higher if they go exclusively mobile - but that is not necessarily so. Just choose the right package for your needs.
A more serious consideration is the reliability of mobile networks in your area. However, coverage and quality are constantly improving.
(BBC and other sources)
janeagain
Pro 
I still have a wired phone. Business still requires them. I was going to change over to cell phones when we moved here but we get no signal in this house, go figure.