Landline phone says "Line in Use"....but it's not? HELP.

[billymach4]

The phone companies have for the most part abandoned cooper. The alternative is coax or fiber.
Interesting factoid about fiber. It has a lifespan of 25 - 40 years.
Look it up on the Google machine.

If you want a landline then you will essentially convert to voip.

I continue a landline for my old phone number we have had for years. I use OOMA as the VOIP.

 

[missyrcrews]

I want a landline...cell phone service here isn't always the greatest. I don't want internet involved, again because of where I live. We shall see. Tech coming on Friday...they think the problem is outside, as do I. I can't be home to let them in the house, so hopefully they can figure it out. I'm not writing sub plans for a mere phone problem. (If you've taught...you know what I mean!)

 

[sponger76]

Does Starlink even support VOIP

It can. We've done it in the Army for certain situations.

 

[jorcus]

Not necessarily. The problem could be between the CO (Central Office) and the house. A person dialing the out of order number would hear it ringing as far as the CO.
Often a new or tired/frustrated repair person will steal a pair (line) to fix another line instead of waiting for the office folks to give him/her the proper unused line to use.


~Diane (former Bell Canada repair clerk)

I know that happens but on an open circuit the customers phone would probably not show in use. It would probably show no line.

I worked in Customer Prems, Co's, Noc's, 20 plus Mitel, Avaya, and Toshiba certifications. (Sorry sounds Braggy). Just trying to be helpful.

 

[jorcus]

The OP already said "When calling in, line is busy."

They did not specify if they did it with everything unplugged.

 

[jorcus]

I want a landline...cell phone service here isn't always the greatest. I don't want internet involved, again because of where I live. We shall see. Tech coming on Friday...they think the problem is outside, as do I. I can't be home to let them in the house, so hopefully they can figure it out. I'm not writing sub plans for a mere phone problem. (If you've taught...you know what I mean!)

Have faith it will get sorted out. There are advantages to copper land lines in places you can get them.

 

[jorcus]

If somebody want a landline just because he wants a residential phone number then he should move his residential phone number to a VoIP service (much cheaper).
There are many VoIP services. Many internet provider offer it but selecting a third-party maybe a better option (no need to change the VoIP service each time we change the internet provider and it could be cheaper).

With VoIP, we just need to disconnect the phone line entering the house (important), plug the VoIP adapter box to any phone jack in the house and also to the ethernet router (wire or wifi depending of the model bought). After that, all existing land phones of the house work as usual (no need to buy a special phone).
Some has a mobile application for cellphones/tablets where we can receive/make calls using the residential phone number when we are not at home when our cellphone/tablets is connected to the internet (mobile data or wifi).
Most provide message recording in the cloud (no need to have a physical answering machine).

I have it and in general like it but it can require more hands on than a plain old telephone line. The mobile service is a great feature as well as voicemail to email. It does not always work well with my internet. I start to get packet loss after 10 to 20 min. on the phone depending on the day. Still I like to have a phone to call 911 on linked to my address.

 

[davidvel]

I have it and in general like it but it can require more hands on than a plain old telephone line. The mobile service is a great feature as well as voicemail to email. It does not always work well with my internet. I start to get packet loss after 10 to 20 min. on the phone depending on the day. Still I like to have a phone to call 911 on linked to my address.

All VOIP services we have ever used have e911 that is linked to our address. Works the same as landlines.

 

[jorcus]

All VOIP services we have ever used have e911 that is linked to our address. Works the same as landlines.

Yes did not mean to imply that they did not, just that I liked having a landline be it voip or copper for easy 911 location. Always important to update the voip provider if you move.

 

[davidvel]

Yes did not mean to imply that they did not, just that I liked having a landline be it voip or copper for easy 911 location. Always important to update the voip provider if you move.

To add, calling 911 on cell provides exact lat/lon geographical address in most areas. Even better than a landline, as they can see your precise location at your address, or anywhere else.

 

[TolmiePeak]

The problem in our area is that the technicians who are familiar with the technology are retiring and it is foreign to the new generation of technicians. I bet the problems at the CO.

Nor do the companies want to spend any money training new workers how to fix the old stuff.

 

[TolmiePeak]

The only reason we have a landline is for DSL. Same with all my neighbors.

Bill

What company do you have in Yakima? In Western Washington Lumen is horrible and has been fined many times by the state. They are letting their old equipment rot.

A report from state Utilities and Transportation Commission’s consumer protection staff says thousands of CenturyLink customers have had to wait days, even months, to get their phone and internet service restored.

Following up on rising consumer complaints regarding CenturyLink, consumer protection staff documented more than 1.6 million violations. Most of the infractions were compounded due to CenturyLink failing to restore service in a timely manner, not adequately maintaining its network and not properly investigating complaints the commission has referred in the past, according to the complaint.

 

[jorcus]

To add, calling 911 on cell provides exact lat/lon geographical address in most areas. Even better than a landline, as they can see your precise location at your address, or anywhere else.

In most instances areas with enhanced 911 have that capability, however if you live in a high rise or are in an apartment complex it might be difficult to pinpoint what floor or room a person is in. I like to have it in case I was unable to speak.

 

[davidvel]

In most instances areas with enhanced 911 have that capability, however if you live in a high rise or are in an apartment complex it might be difficult to pinpoint what floor or room a person is in. I like to have it in case I was unable to speak.

Correct, but the default is your address (apartment #, etc.) with the cell company so you get the best of both worlds.

 

[easyrider]

What company do you have in Yakima? In Western Washington Lumen is horrible and has been fined many times by the state. They are letting their old equipment rot.

A report from state Utilities and Transportation Commission’s consumer protection staff says thousands of CenturyLink customers have had to wait days, even months, to get their phone and internet service restored.

Following up on rising consumer complaints regarding CenturyLink, consumer protection staff documented more than 1.6 million violations. Most of the infractions were compounded due to CenturyLink failing to restore service in a timely manner, not adequately maintaining its network and not properly investigating complaints the commission has referred in the past, according to the complaint.

We use Centuruy Link DSL. It's slow and is probably the reason I miss the 13 months out midnight reservations, lol. There really isn't much choice in our area.

Bill

 

[emeryjre]

We use Centuruy Link DSL. It's slow and is probably the reason I miss the 13 months out midnight reservations, lol. There really isn't much choice in our area.

Bill

There is always Starlink
You are the one of the target markets for the service

 

[easyrider]

There is always Starlink
You are the one of the target markets for the service

There was, or still is, some other satellite internet service out here besides Star Link. The turn off for me with these companies was you only had a limited data plan at a fixed location. I see Star Link is unlimited and portable so it would probably be a great fit.

Bill

 

[moonstone]

Nor do the companies want to spend any money training new workers how to fix the old stuff.

That is a big problem. My late dad started working as a Bell Canada repairman in the late 1940's in Toronto (making $22.50 a week). Most of the phones he worked on were the old oak crank phones on the wall with no dial, you lifted the receiver and were connected to an operator who placed the call for you. Dad progressed as technology improved moving to dial phones on party lines in an old step exchange to no party lines in crossbar exchanges to automated digital. He also worked in cable installation & cable repair, and worked with the crew putting all the phone lines in for the 'new' Toronto International Airport when it changed from the Malton Airport. Dad also worked on the lines for the 'new' microwave towers that carried telephone transmissions and later the lines to get 911 working in the Toronto area. When fiber started to arrive Dad was sent on a training course on how to fuse (you dont/cant splice fiber) the fiber optic cables. I have a piece of paper here from his stuff that says Lloyd XXX laid the first fiber optic cable in Toronto on (cant remember exact date) 1982 and signed by his boss and an engineering technician.
At Dad's retirement part in the spring of 1991 (with just over 42 yrs of service) his boss said dad was the last of the old employees who started off repairing the old crank phones and finished his career repairing fiber optic lines. Quite the span of technology!

The Bell technician that came to our house last year to put the new fiber optic internet modem in also hooked our phones to fibe without our knowledge or consent. We were quite upset as the fiber only went to the jack in the kitchen and the other 5 jacks (copper wired) that we have around this 2 storey 2850 sq. ft. house no longer worked. We only wanted the internet on fiber and had told that to many Bell folks when making the arrangements that the phone lines/jacks were to remain untouched. He wouldnt reverse what he had done. The 'kid' had no idea about copper wiring and just shrugged his shoulders when we asked how the answering machine and extension phones throughout the house were going to work now. We mostly solved the problem by buying a 5 handset cordless phone system with a built in answering machine in the base unit. That is connected to the fiber optic and the other handsets work off that. We just need to figure out how to connect our outside ringer (that is loud enough to hear the phone ringing from up the street or above the noise of the lawn mower). For now we carry one of the handsets in our pocket when out in the yard -but dont always hear it ring.


~Diane

 

[missyrcrews]

I saw trucks down the road when I stopped by after school/before Target today. IT'S FIXED! YAY!

 

[emeryjre]

That is a big problem. My late dad started working as a Bell Canada repairman in the late 1940's in Toronto (making $22.50 a week). Most of the phones he worked on were the old oak crank phones on the wall with no dial, you lifted the receiver and were connected to an operator who placed the call for you. Dad progressed as technology improved moving to dial phones on party lines in an old step exchange to no party lines in crossbar exchanges to automated digital. He also worked in cable installation & cable repair, and worked with the crew putting all the phone lines in for the 'new' Toronto International Airport when it changed from the Malton Airport. Dad also worked on the lines for the 'new' microwave towers that carried telephone transmissions and later the lines to get 911 working in the Toronto area. When fiber started to arrive Dad was sent on a training course on how to fuse (you dont/cant splice fiber) the fiber optic cables. I have a piece of paper here from his stuff that says Lloyd XXX laid the first fiber optic cable in Toronto on (cant remember exact date) 1982 and signed by his boss and an engineering technician.
At Dad's retirement part in the spring of 1991 (with just over 42 yrs of service) his boss said dad was the last of the old employees who started off repairing the old crank phones and finished his career repairing fiber optic lines. Quite the span of technology!

The Bell technician that came to our house last year to put the new fiber optic internet modem in also hooked our phones to fibe without our knowledge or consent. We were quite upset as the fiber only went to the jack in the kitchen and the other 5 jacks (copper wired) that we have around this 2 storey 2850 sq. ft. house no longer worked. We only wanted the internet on fiber and had told that to many Bell folks when making the arrangements that the phone lines/jacks were to remain untouched. He wouldnt reverse what he had done. The 'kid' had no idea about copper wiring and just shrugged his shoulders when we asked how the answering machine and extension phones throughout the house were going to work now. We mostly solved the problem by buying a 5 handset cordless phone system with a built in answering machine in the base unit. That is connected to the fiber optic and the other handsets work off that. We just need to figure out how to connect our outside ringer (that is loud enough to hear the phone ringing from up the street or above the noise of the lawn mower). For now we carry one of the handsets in our pocket when out in the yard -but dont always hear it ring.


~Diane

They forced you to age out your copper wiring.

One more residence no longer a drag on profits by trying to maintain old technology

And they didn't even feel sorry they did it

 

[billymach4]

I saw trucks down the road when I stopped by after school/before Target today. IT'S FIXED! YAY!

So it was on the phone company side of the network interface box.

 

[DrQ]

The Bell technician that came to our house last year to put the new fiber optic internet modem in also hooked our phones to fibe without our knowledge or consent. We were quite upset as the fiber only went to the jack in the kitchen and the other 5 jacks (copper wired) that we have around this 2 storey 2850 sq. ft. house no longer worked. We only wanted the internet on fiber and had told that to many Bell folks when making the arrangements that the phone lines/jacks were to remain untouched. He wouldnt reverse what he had done.

They turned off DSL and forced conversion to fiber in our area, but I have a dedicated copper line in for POTS. They did not disrupt my POTS which is on a separate account, so I still have copper for phone service.

 

[youppi]

That is a big problem. My late dad started working as a Bell Canada repairman in the late 1940's in Toronto (making $22.50 a week). Most of the phones he worked on were the old oak crank phones on the wall with no dial, you lifted the receiver and were connected to an operator who placed the call for you. Dad progressed as technology improved moving to dial phones on party lines in an old step exchange to no party lines in crossbar exchanges to automated digital. He also worked in cable installation & cable repair, and worked with the crew putting all the phone lines in for the 'new' Toronto International Airport when it changed from the Malton Airport. Dad also worked on the lines for the 'new' microwave towers that carried telephone transmissions and later the lines to get 911 working in the Toronto area. When fiber started to arrive Dad was sent on a training course on how to fuse (you dont/cant splice fiber) the fiber optic cables. I have a piece of paper here from his stuff that says Lloyd XXX laid the first fiber optic cable in Toronto on (cant remember exact date) 1982 and signed by his boss and an engineering technician.
At Dad's retirement part in the spring of 1991 (with just over 42 yrs of service) his boss said dad was the last of the old employees who started off repairing the old crank phones and finished his career repairing fiber optic lines. Quite the span of technology!

The Bell technician that came to our house last year to put the new fiber optic internet modem in also hooked our phones to fibe without our knowledge or consent. We were quite upset as the fiber only went to the jack in the kitchen and the other 5 jacks (copper wired) that we have around this 2 storey 2850 sq. ft. house no longer worked. We only wanted the internet on fiber and had told that to many Bell folks when making the arrangements that the phone lines/jacks were to remain untouched. He wouldnt reverse what he had done. The 'kid' had no idea about copper wiring and just shrugged his shoulders when we asked how the answering machine and extension phones throughout the house were going to work now. We mostly solved the problem by buying a 5 handset cordless phone system with a built in answering machine in the base unit. That is connected to the fiber optic and the other handsets work off that. We just need to figure out how to connect our outside ringer (that is loud enough to hear the phone ringing from up the street or above the noise of the lawn mower). For now we carry one of the handsets in our pocket when out in the yard -but dont always hear it ring.


~Diane

Maybe the wire copper is still there in the kitchen phone jack otherwise you just need to rewire one from your kitchen phone jack to where the other wire copper are connected together and don't forget to disconnect the POTS line connected with them.

I never leave a technician/contractor unsupervised in my house. The Bell technician that came to my house 2 years ago wanted to cut and remove the unused POTS line or the unused coax cable to use the same hole to enter the optical fiber. I forced him to drill a new hole in the brick to enter the optical fiber and also to leave enough optical fiber inside the house if I need to move somewhere else the Bell router.

 

[DrQ]

Maybe the wire copper is still there in the kitchen phone jack otherwise you just need to rewire one from your kitchen phone jack to where the other wire copper are connected together and don't forget to disconnect the POTS line connected with them.

Her problem is not just at the house, it is at the CO. Once the technician "gave up" the POTS line to the system in their inventory, it was snatched up and probably not available to claim again.

 

[youppi]

Her problem is not just at the house, it is at the CO. Once the technician "gave up" the POTS line to the system in their inventory, it was snatched up and probably not available to claim again.

I agree if she wants to get the old Bell POTS line service again, it could be impossible but all phone jacks in the house should still work because the technician didn't remove all the inside wires of all phone jacks and thus, she can just connect the VoIP adapter in one of those jacks and all phone and answering machine connected in the other phone jacks will work as if they where connected to a POTS line.

What we don't know is if the technician used the wire of the phone jack in the kitchen to pull the optical fiber or they leave the wire there and just bring the optical fiber to the phone jack in the kitchen.