Some of our younger readers may have to look up what an “extension phone” is. By the way after Ma Bell couldn’t forbid you to do it, a lot of people leaned how easy it was to install your own extension. Then you could buy the phone for about what six months rent cost.
Cell phone service today is incomprehensibly better than old landline phones, in both cost and service provided. Anybody remember dialing the operator and asking to place a long-distance call? Ten minutes from one coast to another would probably cost the $30 I pay now for unlimited talk/text service (AND data, tho’ that’s limited) — and $30 THEN was a helluva lot more money than it is now!
And ya know the most remarkable thing about cell phone service? I think it happened with almost NO government involvement.
Ravenswing over 4 years ago
Better than paying rent to AT&T for the phone. Which, at the time of the strip and for several years thereafter, my grandmother was still doing.
Yontrop over 4 years ago
Some of our younger readers may have to look up what an “extension phone” is. By the way after Ma Bell couldn’t forbid you to do it, a lot of people leaned how easy it was to install your own extension. Then you could buy the phone for about what six months rent cost.
JamieLee Premium Member over 4 years ago
Now the cable company lets you rent a modem for your internet service. They learned from the phone company.
Sisyphos over 4 years ago
Well, monopoly has its efficiencies, Opus. Enjoy your wait….
PuppyPapa over 4 years ago
Cell phone service today is incomprehensibly better than old landline phones, in both cost and service provided. Anybody remember dialing the operator and asking to place a long-distance call? Ten minutes from one coast to another would probably cost the $30 I pay now for unlimited talk/text service (AND data, tho’ that’s limited) — and $30 THEN was a helluva lot more money than it is now!
And ya know the most remarkable thing about cell phone service? I think it happened with almost NO government involvement.