CNET Examines the Enduring Relevance of Landlines for Emergency Preparedness
CNET has published an article discussing the unexpected enduring relevance of landline phones, particularly for emergency preparedness, despite their declining usage. While only about 29% of U.S. adults lived in a household with a landline in 2022, down from over 90% in 2004, the article highlights a critical advantage: landlines often remain operational during widespread power outages or natural disasters when cellular networks fail. Traditional copper-line landlines draw power directly from the phone line and operate on separate infrastructure from cell networks, making them more reliable in emergencies. The article cites an individual's experience in Huntsville, Alabama, after a tornado outbreak, emphasizing the importance of a consistent phone connection when other communication methods are down. It also notes that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has ended the requirement for phone companies to provide traditional analog landlines, and carriers are actively phasing them out in favor of newer... 
