Actually network operators are extremely worried of becoming just a dumb bit pipe. They have seen what happened to fixed telephony and don't want to get the same route.

I mean how else would they make users pay 20c for 140 bytes :)

For example, many global operators tried some variant of a walled garden (apps, music, ringtones, etc). Another example: afaik there are no technological limitations of having something called "homezone" - i.e. when at home all your mobile traffic goes via WiFi and not through operator's network.

Luckily for us, users, innovative competition (like free.fr - it's in French) will help break the giants and lower the rates.

Disclaimer: I work in Telecom sector, not for an operator though

My prepaid €20 3G SIM with 15 GB gives me a responsive network connection with low variance latency. Know what that means? I just open up Skype and use it for every call back home. Works better than Skype over any public shared 802.11 network.

YMMVUYAIET (your mileage may very unless you are in europe too)

If you live in the US it might be a good idea to have a telephone plugged into your landline anyways. This way if there's a combined electrical failure and cell phone failure, you'll still be able to make 911 calls. There is also a reverse 911 conference call system that works with landline phones.

At least in California, if you're renting, your landlord is required to provide you with a working telephone line. You and them don't even need to pay anything, just make sure there's a working dial tone.

Related: http://www.opb.org/news/article/few-receiving-reverse-911-ca...

I love the pervasive myth that you don't need electricity to use a landline phone in 2012. You're more likely to have a working cell phone (generator @ the tower) than a working phone line in an area with FTTH (say, Verizon FIOS deployments, or cable co. VOIP deployments). Sure, the PON and gear has a battery backup, but it doesn't last anywhere near as long as the generator at the cell tower, or the battery in my cellphone.

In the Bay Area, I think most homes still have POTS lines. I wasn't aware most lines weren't already. Where are POTS lines no longer available?

By law, they're available everywhere if you specifically request them.

Verizon, when they install FIOS, will rip out the copper, by default. If you switch to another CLEC at a later date, you (or they) will have to pay to have copper put back in. You can request Verizon not remove the copper though, but you have to be aware of the need beforehand.

Interesting... I'm actually in Europe, and the phone line is on the back of the cable modem, so if there is a combined power failure we are out of luck...

My cable modem has an internal battery backup (Comcast Business in California); if you unplug your modem does the phone still work?