On 2008-12-04, at 09:47, Josh Potter wrote:
I believe there is a law that requires just that, even if you don't
have an
active service plan the phone must still be able to access 911.
With GSM phones you don't even need a SIM in the phone to call 911
(and equivalent numbers in other regions).
I have two children at home, and I haven't had dial-tone on copper for
years. I don't lose any sleep over it; that's just one of a thousand
highly-improbable disasters that could happen, albeit one that
apparently enjoys better marketing than some.
If I *was* concerned, I think I'd buy a cheap GSM handset with no SIM
and leave it chained somewhere the kids could find, plugged in.
I seem to remember when I *did* have dial-tone from Bell Canada I'd
pick up the handset and get dead air a disturbing proportion of the
time. The idea that copper wire-line providers are the only ones who
can provide stable telephony doesn't ring true, for me. There's a
reason why the five nines don't include the last mile.
Joe
