# Getting rid of the landline and using Skype. Possible problems?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rid-of-the-landline-and-using-skype-possible-problems/623718>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [May 31, 2012, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rid-of-the-landline-and-using-skype-possible-problems/623718 "2012-05-31T23:10:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rid-of-the-landline-and-using-skype-possible-problems/623718/1 "2012-05-31T23:10:00Z")

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So, I’m looking to get rid of my landline and buy either an adapter to use on my current phone or a Skype phone. I’ll only be making phone calls to Canada and the US. I’ll have a cellphone as backup.  
Are there possible problems with this?  
Will people who call me have to compose an unusually long number?

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**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\
**Post date:** [June 1, 2012, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rid-of-the-landline-and-using-skype-possible-problems/623718/2 "2012-06-01T01:58:00Z")

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Depending on where you are your number may or may not be local. I use Skype from my home office for all my work calls but only for outgoing since there is no local incoming numbers for my area.

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**Author:** ![Enigma42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/87869e/32.png) [@Enigma42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enigma42)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rid-of-the-landline-and-using-skype-possible-problems/623718/3 "2012-06-02T03:31:18Z")

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> [@Moonlitherial](#):
>
> I use Skype from my home office for all my work calls …

That’s what I try to do as well. But this scenario has revealed an obscure problem relating to teleconferencing. My employer uses AT&T teleconference services and I’ve found that I cannot successfully connect to one of their telecons with Skype or cell phone. You can connect to the main number, but when you try to enter the access code, it doesn’t work except from a regular landline.

I have no idea why this is the case and AT&T simply says, “We recommend not using mobile or VOIP connections.” So I’ve had to keep a POTS phone active just for the teleconferences I have to join on a regular basis. Skype works great for me in every other respect though, so this shouldn’t dissuade anyone unless they have these specific circumstances.