Comprehensive Guide to Traditional Fixed Line Phones
This article provides an in-depth overview of landline phones, tracing their history, types, features, and the reasons behind their gradual decline. It emphasizes their importance in emergencies, security, and special needs accommodations, while highlighting the competition from mobile and internet-based communication technologies. The piece offers insights into the current trends and future outlook of fixed line telephony, making it relevant for industry professionals and consumers alike.

A fixed line phone is a communication device that operates through a network of cables and satellites to transmit voice signals. Known by various terms such as landline, home phone, or wired phone, it was first invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, who secured a patent for his groundbreaking invention. These phones function by converting sound into electrical signals sent via physical cables or wireless connections. They are primarily categorized into wired and cordless models, each offering distinct usage features.
Wired landlines have a base and handset connected by a cable, often mounted on walls or placed on desks. While they limit mobility, their connection remains active during power outages. Cordless phones provide mobility within a limited range but require power for operation, losing functionality during outages.
Modern landline devices are designed to accommodate users with special needs, featuring amplified sound, flashing lights, and large tactile keypads with braille. Although landlines are declining due to technological advances, they still serve critical roles in emergencies and provide secure, reliable connections, especially for locating callers during emergencies or making international calls at lower costs. Despite the rise of mobile and internet-based communication, traditional landlines continue to be valued for their stability, security, and service quality. Experts predict a further decline in landline usage, with projections indicating their eventual disappearance by 2025.