Return of the Landline: A Regressive or Welcome Scenario?

Return of the Landline: A Regressive or Welcome Scenario?

If there has been one inexorable trend in the telecommunications industry over the past 30 years, it has been the decline of the household landline phone connection. While Figure 1 illustrates the case for the United States, the phenomenon is worldwide. The humble landline, with its single function and tethered to a single fixed location has given way to the smartphone. The smartphone is a Swiss army knife, with apps for every activity in one’s …