The Glade 4.0

I want to get rid of my cell phone.

I hate the fact that I pay 65 dollars to Sprint every month for a service that I need, but barely use. I don't even LIKE phones!


I don't understand why I need this when we all have the Internet.


I was thinking Skype + instant messaging on a computer would work...but then I lose mobility. I could always get a Laptop with Wimax, though.

I know I can text message through AIM....but I'm not sure about receiving texts without first having initiated a conversation...

Skype...I think I'd only be able to initiate calls as well, not receive them.

There has to be some solution..

Anyone else thinking about going phoneless, or have gone phoneless?

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Ron Paul 2012

I just switched to t mobile, galaxy s 4g. Switched from Sprint, could not be happier

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Darksiege
Traveller, Calé, Whisperer
Lead me not into temptation; for I know a shortcut

How about ... not having a cellphone?

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Do you have a land line?

A lot of places will not take orders if you do not have a phone number.

Perhaps a texting device would work.

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Memento Vivere

I have local knowledge.
That sandbar was not there yesterday!

What SG said. Plus, Skype won't make emergency calls.

My suggestion would be to just get a little $30 prepaid cell phone, and only throw money toward it when you run out of minutes.

What about ... not having a cell phone?

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It looks like that is his ultimate goal, however, he'd prefer not to lose all connectivity. What about a tablet with skype and SMS software installed as well? Google Voice might get you pretty far too.

I think I will have to just start using these things and see how well they work and then eventually get rid of the phone.

I'm not hurting for the 65 bucks. I just can't stand paying the money on general principle. Similar services are already available on the internet, and with Wimax and a laptop I might actually be able to get rid of the phone.

I do need help finding what software to use to call and text regular phone numbers...and I'd really like them to be able to call and text me as well.

Wimax is only 40 bucks a month and the internet is much more capable. It really goes against my moral fiber to even have a cellphone.

I do worry about services that require a phone number as information, though...


I would like to see phones go away and be replaced with internet services completely...

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Ron Paul 2012

Unfortunately, in our world, phones will be necessary for a long time. I know the older members of my family will not want to switch to an entirely digital method of communication.

There's always Google Voice... Theoretically, you could set it up using your current cell number, and it would stay active once you cancel that cell phone... You just couldn't ever deactivate or change the number.

I use Google Voice for most of my texting, being as it's free and I can use an actual keyboard.

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Darksiege: You are not a god damned vulcan homie.

I don't know how I could manage my business without a phone. I hate having an electronic leash, but I trade on being 100% accessible.

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Ezekiel 23:19-20 

I just got Google Voice set up, and made my Sprint number the same as my Google Voice number.


You're telling me I can cancel my Sprint account and I'd still be able to send/receive calls and texts from that number through Google Voice?

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Ron Paul 2012

That's how it should work, yes. I haven't tried it personally, though.

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Darksiege: You are not a god damned vulcan homie.

Nev, just go into your local bank, demand money, then sit in one of the comfy chairs waiting for the police to arrive. You won't need a cell phone for years.

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The U. S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. B. Franklin

"A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone." -- Tyrion Lannister, A Game of Thrones

Until Sprint gives that number to someone else. That's just asking for problems.

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Holy shitsnacks!

You have to have the number registered on an actual phone line somewhere...

There is a one time $20 fee to port your number.

Your mobile phone service plan will be terminated when you port your number to Google Voice and your carrier may charge you an early termination fee. You may also experience disruptions in sending and receiving text messages for up to 3 business days after the porting process is complete

Once porting is complete, you will not be able to receive calls to your mobile phone until you complete the following steps:
Google Voice is not a mobile phone service provider, so you must setup a new mobile phone service plan (with your existing carrier or a new carrier) and request a new number.

Once you’ve secured a new mobile service plan and a new number, you will need to add this new number to your Google Voice account as a forwarding phone. Learn how to add a forwarding phone

You should not cancel your mobile service plan before porting is initiated. You will need your phone to be able to accept calls in order to complete the porting verification process.

If you already have a Google number on this Google Voice Account, it will be replaced by the number that you wish to port and will be completely removed from your account 90 days after porting is complete.

source: http://www.google.com/support/voice/bin/answer.py?answer=1065667

Not if you don't port it. You just technically need the forwarding number active during setup. As Mike mentioned, though, you'll have problems if that number gets given to someone else.

I shut down all forwarding, so I run the two numbers as completely independent.

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Darksiege: You are not a god damned vulcan homie.

A friend of mine is 35 and has never owned a cellphone. He works in a classified area where he couldn't take a cellphone anyway. He uses that as an excuse, but he didn't have a cellphone before he started working in a classified area either.