Ask Tii - Should I use an old iPhone to replace my land line

Hi Rob,

 

I am currently paying way too much for my landline. My wife and I both have iPhones (one 4 and one 3GS).

 

I am planning to ratchet down my landline costs to the bare bones, so I can still have it available for 911 (e.g. if the teenager is home) and also in the rare case when power is out (since the copper wire phone service has its own power source).

 

Wondering what you think about the "Ulimate Irony: Use an Old Jailbroken iPhone" section of the following Gizmodo article: http://gizmodo.com/#!5654683/how-to-replace-your-landline-with-google-voice

 

I am considering using an unlocked/jailbroken 3G iphone I have sitting on the bookshelf gathering dust.  

 

And any other thoughts, recommendations, articles you may have on this topic.

 

Thanks!

Del

 

 

Hi Del

 

If you are looking at replacing your land line with the jailbroken iPhone per the Gizmodo Article - you need to realize two issues - 1. No 911 calls  2. No calls when the power or just the cable goes out - as that method does require you to have a VOiP connection.

So in your case where you are looking to have a phone around for your daughter for emergencies - this will not be a good choice. 

However for those just looking to replace their land line with an old jailbroken iPhone - it is a good article.  Here is the meet of the article on how to set up the jailbroken iPhone 

Attribution to Gizmodo per the link above:

Here's how:
• First, jailbreak your iPhone.
• Download GV Mobile+ and Acrobits Softphone from the App Store.
• Get a Sipgate account and your free phone number
• Have Google Voice forwards calls to the Sipgate number
• Add your Sipgate credentials to Acrobits Softphone. It's not hard: you're basically just plugging in your number and user name.
• In GV Mobile+, head to the Settings tab and change the 'Phone to Ring' from "No Phone" to your Sipgate number.

Regards,

Rob W