> Was there a serious issue while using a regular landline?
So a few other issues with landlines, in other countries:
1) Crazy expensive.
2) You can't sign-up for one anymore.
3) They may no longer be available. The cables have already been removed in some parts of Denmark.
In a lot of places a "landline" is:
a) a phone using the ITU protocols, connecting to the router over ATM, or
b) a straight up SIP / VOIP phone which just happens to be operated by your ISP, but which could, in principle, work anywhere, as long as it was connected to the internet, or
c) a cell phone in a landline-like enclosure, perhaps with a carrier-side restriction that prevents its SIM card from working outside its intended local area.
That is pretty interesting, because I figured that maybe that would solve my issue of trying to get a cheap "landline". Sadly no. My ISP also doesn't want to do VOIP. They have the product, but doesn't sign up new customers.
Voip is a classic loss maker for ISPs.
Right up there with email servers and DNS.
It increases their attack surface and support costs without any real bottom line benefit.
I suspect I will be adding IPTV to that list in 5 years too.
For arguments sake lets include voip in there under landline.