Who Is Listening in on your Cell Phone?

Most people seem to believe that the public broadcasting of an illegally intercepted cell phone conversation would be illegal.  However, the US Supreme Court has found that the First Amendment allows an illegally intercepted cell phone conversation to be shared with others when the conversation involves matters of significant public interest.  While your conversation may not be of significant public interest, it reminds us that people may be listening and taking our private information at any time. 

The Wall Street Journal has recently published allegations of the FBI being capable of remotely activating Android microphones.  While this can only be done under court orders, the capability is there and we should be aware.

All U.S. cell phone carriers are required, under Federal Communications Commission orders, to make it possible for police to locate cell phones calling 911.  This is because people with cell phones generally always carry their phone with them.  Something we forget is that the FCC regulations give the thriving market for selling personal information the exact locations at all times of more than 140 million people.  Knowing someone's location at all times adds a significant new twist to tracking information about people. 

"There are some things you don't mind other people knowing, but your location isn't one of them," said Gary Laden, a privacy program director for BBB Online, a Better Business Bureau subsidiary.

Services providers (like AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile) collect data, but are not forthcoming in detailing exactly what they collect, the reasons they collect it, and their data retention policies.

Did you know that cellular phones use radio frequencies, which can be easily intercepted?  Eavesdroppers use simple devices to intercept the analog radio waves that carry wireless calls.  They can then listen to your private conversations, steal your credit card information and can even find out when you'll be on vacation to plan their evil deeds.

What is one of the greatest advantages of retaining a landline phone number?  The answer is: the security of your personal conversations. So, if you want to keep your cell phone private, choose to keep your landline.  Also, if you want to keep the cost of your landline down contact National Access Long Distance and save money on your long distance services.

Family Communication Needs

An important feature offered by landlines is the security of communication available to your family 24/7.  The power can be out or the cell phone misplaced, and you can still rely on the permanent landline. 

Every family can benefit from the availability, convenience and functions a landline phone offers the household.  It’s a fact that elderly residents mostly prefer owning a landline phone over a cell phone for the convenience.  Have you ever considered that they might be on to something? 

With the added threats in society, the landline provides an added safety factor to your household.  With a landline you can keep track of your children’s phone usage, who they are calling and how long they are talking.  You can make sure you also have a phone in case your cell phone is lost or stolen throughout the day.  A weight is lifted off your shoulders when you call your house phone and hear your child’s voice on the other line confirming that they are at home. 

Our family’s communications needs are important and their security is even more crucial to your peace of mind.  Maintaining a landline phone for your home will give you a great communication experience.  Don’t worry about a dropped call, poor signal strength or concern yourself with the battery life.  The landline phone is a time-tested piece of equipment that has proven itself over and over again.  Make sure your family recognizes its need for a safer house with the landline. 

Contact National Access Long Distance to save money on your long distance services.  

Your Family Wants Their Home Phone Back!

Could there be anything more important than the safety and security of our families.  Many would say nothing is more important and a landline is a way of providing protection.  With a landline home phone, the household is provided with not only stability, but a reliable way to contact people. 

Landlines are capable of working in times of crisis, like when the power goes out, or a natural disaster.  The home phone can work without power and does not rely on cell phone towers or radio waves.  When cell phone towers jam, trust your landline to get the call done.

Your family’s safety may not seem to depend on the landline, but when your family is at home, the landline is the more reliable option.  A cell phone is great for the road, for your teenager to contact you when over at a friend’s house.  However, what about when you want to check and make sure they are safe at home?  The responsibility of a cell phone for your children may be a larger one than you anticipated.  If they forget the cell phone at school and take the bus home, how are you able to know they have safely arrived?

In the occurrence of an emergency where the caller is unable to communicate, the 9-1-1 operator is still capable of sending emergency response service providers to the emergency location.  When dialing 9-1-1 from a landline, the system automatically reports the phone number and the address to a 9-1-1 dispatcher and the information is relayed to the emergency response team to ensure the quickest response time.  This is an important subject to take into consideration when making a decision that could affect ones family and household.  Many who live in condos or apartments face the added problem of the 9-1-1 response teams only locating the building, they cannot tell the exact number of the apartment or condo.

Some argue, cellular phones are cheaper and a more effective way to reach out, however what happens if there is an emergency where the caller must stay silent.  The landline allows the caller to be located without any assistance or speaking. However, if calling with a cell phone the emergency operator requires an address for fast response time.  At best, the 9-1-1 operator may receive a call back number and possible coordinates.

The average cost of having and maintaining a land line home phone, is around $25 a month for most families, what a small cost for the added protection.

Protect yourself and your loved ones with a landline.  Contact National Access Long Distance for affordable long distance services.

Top 10 Reasons To Keep Your Landline!

Many landline customers are facing the dilemma of cancelling their home telephone because they feel like having both a cell phone and a landline is too costly. When in fact, landlines allow for clearer calls, more privacy and 911 address accuracy. A landline does not use software and your calls travel over permanent terrestrial circuits. In layman’s terms, your calls travel by wire over the land, as opposed to cell phones connecting with the telephone network using radio waves.

Top 10 reasons you still need a landline:

1.      Landlines offer a clear channel of communication without the white noise or dead zones.

2.      Landlines are reliable in extreme weather, power outages and in other emergencies.  Landlines do not rely on electricity or towers, making them more dependable.

3.      Landlines provide a direct connection for your home security systems, DSL, dial-up connections or VOIP systems.

4.      Landlines offer more protection against debit or credit card fraud, since it is more difficult for eavesdroppers to tap into a wire to steal personal information.  Hackers can easily purchase a device that intercepts the radio waves used for a cell phone call.

5.      Landlines give users peace of mind and added security by providing a different phone for sales calls.

6.      Landlines prevent your family from being tracked because they do not have location-based services (GPS).

7.      Landlines provide your family members and guests with a telephone line.  This way you are not inconvenienced when they need to contact someone and their phone may be out of service.

8.      Landlines are linked to the home address.  When the phone calls 911, the address automatically pops up on the responder’s computer; regardless if a person can communicate or not, a 911 dispatcher will send help!

9.      Landlines are needed to locate our cell phones!  Lost in the couch cushion?  No worries, just call it with your landline.

10.  Landlines have affordable monthly rates for unlimited local calling and at no additional charge. Other phones may be easily plugged in to any existing phone jack for the convenience of everyone.

If you want to save even more money on your long distance service, contact National Access Long Distance.

From Children to Extended Family, Depend on the Landline

The family is a unit that is governed by parents, and as such, the parents are the ones who dictate how the family will operate. While most children these days do have a cell phone when they become responsible enough, there are still times when the parents must control incoming calls. The most efficient solution to curb unwanted calls being received by your children is the reliable landline home telephone.

The world is full of difficult situations and anything that we can do for our children to protect them from unnecessary evils, we should do. It can be to allow our children to grow while we are trying to protect them. Some make it a point to make sure that when their oldest reaches an age where they need a cell phone, they are allowed a personal phone for mobile use only.  By having a landline home phone, it can give you peace of mind knowing that any school, telemarketer or various other calls are directed to the house not the personal phone of your child. 

The family landline isn’t just for family in the house; it can be great for the family that is spread out over the nation and in other continents.  For the family that is far away but close in your heart, it can be nice to have a phone where the entire family is able to reach you.  Even if you change your cell phone number, you have a number that is consistent and that the entire family can be reached on.  

Families are the most important thing in the world and anything you can do to make the family a little safer is worth it.  We are here for contacting Aunt Barb out in Chicago or Uncle Bob out in San Diego.  Keep in contact with everyone and keep your family safe with a landline.

For your long distance services contact National Access Long Distance.

The Reliable and Dependable Phone

It seems like no matter how some things can change, others will always stay the same.  The need for a home landline has gotten away from some, while others still see it as a staple in their house. 

Many find it as a great way to keep personal and business away from every other company or place that needs a phone number along with other information.  Others find it as a great way to see if their children got home from school safely. 

It proves to be great for visitors, if their cell phone doesn’t have reception at your household, they can still contact people without using your personal phone.  Many don’t like others using their personal phone, where notes, contacts and photos are stored.  It’s also nice to know they won’t use your limited minutes.

Your home phone is also a more reliable solution for your telephone needs.  In an emergency the landline gives a security that cell phones do not provide.  When calling 911 with your landline, the correct address automatically shows up.  No need to worry if the visitors know the address or if you can’t communicate at the time. 

The technology with landlines has also advanced and provides many extensions.  This gives every member of the family access and even access out by the pool or in the basement.

The landline is reliable and dependable.  Keep it affordable with long distance from National Access Long Distance.

A Traditional Landline vs. Alternative Services

With technology advancing as fast as it has, 20 years from now cell phone and cable providers could provide the same reliability as a traditional landline does, but right now they don’t. Consider the following before deciding to rely solely on your mobile phone.

Bundling phone service with a cable provider or just having a cell phone may save a few dollars.  However, people must remember the old cliché “you get what you pay for”. With a cable provider when the cable goes out you lose all services through them including phone and internet. Additionally once your initial contract through the cable provider expires, your rates will jump dramatically for the bundle.

Cell phones provide a convenience of being at your fingertips, in the case of a large scale emergency such as September 11th or a natural disaster. However, the convenience goes out the window when you are unable to use your cell, because the towers are jammed with traffic. Not to mention the convenience is also gone when you lose track of your cell phone or it is stolen. Then you have to take money out of your savings to replace it when not eligible for an upgrade.  If you just need a phone for local calling purposes a cell phone is the cheaper avenue, while the landline is more suitable for long distance.

Another avenue for phone service is voice over i.p. it has many of the same flaws. If the internet goes out you will be without a phone.    

If you are a business owner canceling your landlines and selecting an alternative service can be extremely costly. All the alternatives hinge on one of two things; either you are required to have power or internet.  If the power is out your customers will not be able to contact you, simply taking their money to one of your competitors. So are you going to risk throwing money down the drain with something that is not reliable?

Contact National Access Long Distance to save money on your long distance services.

Top Ten Reasons for Having a Land Line Phone

You know every time the topic landline comes up it is usually met with thoughts of but it’s not as convenient as my cell phone.  Contrary to popular belief, there are benefits to having one. So here are 10 solid reasons to maintain a landline phone:

1. Works Better for 911 services: When you call from a landline, it will automatically go to an enhanced center. This proves to be important when you or the person cannot speak. The landline also will allow the dispatcher to have an accurate address whereas the cell phone only gives a general area.

2. Its Stationary: It's based in your home so you’re not going to misplace it. It is not going to be stolen nor will you leave it at the restaurant or office. It's usually centrally located and multiple lines can be throughout the house for easy access.

3. Better Connection: You get the clearest and most stable calls on a landline with better volume, especially if you use a corded phone. 

4. Security: Landlines ensure more security when doing phone business like banking or social security issues?

5. Easier to use: Since a landline phone only makes calls, it makes it a lot easier to operate. This proves to be handy for emergencies with children making the call. It also makes it easier for elderly people to see and operate.

6. Natural Disasters:  Cell towers are subject to the weather more than anything. Even an ice storm can affect its ability to function.  It is true that landlines are subject to weather, especially tornados; service crews for landlines have a much quicker response time.

7. Reliability: Even though many will use cordless phones as their landlines. You still can always have one outlet with a corded phone in case the battery dies, you can go to the speaker phone on the base of most cordless phones.

8. Value: There is no need for insurance, no data plans or over use charges. No extra accessories like covers, extra chargers, screen covers, etc. is required to extend the phones life either.

9. Power: There are no worries when the power is out because the landline phone will still be working in most instances. The local landline carrier provides local emergency backup systems. No need to worry about batteries and chargers.

10. Lower Cost: Landline phones are amazingly more affordable than most cell phones. There’s never a roaming charge. This comes in pretty handy when you have a whole family using the same phone making hours of calls a day.

So regardless if you talk a little or if you are a blabber mouth, the landline can provide an all-around cost effective option and security for all of your talking needs. Please think about this list before you consider discarding your landline. And if you want keep you landline cost low by saving more money on your long distance service, contact National Access Long Distance.

Your Home Called...It wants to talk too!

In today's society, to not have a cell phone would almost place you in a category of being archaic. If you weren't able to play games, text people, check your Facebook status, what would you do on the elevator or walking from place to place?  In all the time you spend on your mobile entertainment system, did you ever stop and think how the home feels?  Did you consider the total effects of not having a landline in your house?

The first thing to consider is the fact that your life, even as busy as it may be, is not 24 hours a day away from your home. At some point you do have to go home, especially if you have a family with kids.  We all have experienced some of the pitfalls of cell phones at home; starting with the dreaded "low bar" areas within your house or backyard.  How many times have you had dropped calls in the most comfortable area of your house? Never mind the fact that your carrier promised that this phone has strong reception and that their coverage blankets the city you’re in. No matter what, there is always some blank spots or spots in your house that seem to not have the best reception.

Do you really want to deal with a choppy scratchy call when you are talking to loved ones or about your personal business? How many times have you walked away from your phone accidentally leaving it on silent to come back to a missed call?

At the end of the day, no wireless network is flawless. So if your household has no landline phone in it and there is an emergency at school with the kids, do you want to risk not being able to be contacted because the cell phone isn’t working? 

In addition, what about the others in the house? Do you really want to have to pay for multiple cell phones? Besides you know how your kids are going to use them more than their school books, which means over charges, unless you are going to pay for unlimited.

The VOIP system isn't that much more comfort. VOIP is subject to power outages, viruses (since it is CPU based), deadlines as well as signal strength (bandwidth) when other devices are using the internet in your home.

If you were to be robbed, how are you going to call the police?  We all know that thieves target cell phones and computers. The weather can also have a major effect on both cell phones and VOIP. Just ask the victims of Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Katrina. The landline though can work through power outages and won’t rely on the cell phone towers everyone else is using.  If you can’t talk on a call to emergency services on a landline they have your address automatically and can send services to you.

About 64 percent of homes in the U.S. still have landlines. The call quality of a landline is superior to those of cell phones and through power outages. Landlines help you buffer out unwanted calls to your cell phone by being a main point of contact.

The landline helps your home feel safe, especially via a home security system. So keep your home happy and in touch with its own phone. And if you want to save money with better rates on your long distance service, contact National Access long Distance.