Cell Phone Use Rises as Landline Use Declines

Landline usage has been declining somewhat since the year 2000. At the same time, the number of households using cell phones has skyrocketed. Currently, 86.2% of households have at least a single cell phone, while 84.5% of households have landline phones. The results are derived from a survey of 13,000 homes nationwide.

Mediamark predicts that the number of homes with landlines is expected to continue its downward slide. However, some Americans, particularly older Americans, appear to be committed to landlines. These individuals appear to be fearful of technological trends and therefore have yet to embrace the cell phone phenomenon.

There are obviously a number of reasons for the popularity of cell phones. To begin with, they are highly convenient and can accompany an individual wherever he or she travels. As a result, they have become a lifeline for working professionals whose offices are wherever they go. Cell phones can be particularly valuable for parents trying to keep track of their teenagers, whose jam-packed schedules may leave them with little time to find a pay phone and call home.

Cell phones are also attractive because of their user-friendly calling plans. Thanks to anytime minutes, free long distance dialing, and free nighttime and weekend minutes, cell phone users can easily call friends and family without amassing huge calling costs.

In addition, cell phones are popular because of the myriad of special features they offer. A number of cell phones are now equipped with MP3 players and streaming video and audio, making them a miniature entertainment center. In addition, cell phones are often equipped with video cameras and still camera capabilities, allowing cell phone users to capture special moments when they’re on the run. With cell phones, you can also check e-mail or surf the World Wide Web—feats that are impossible with land lines.