How Poor You Are May Determine If You’ll Ditch the Landline

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Well, that’s a new one. So it’s probably a no-brainer that those who are young are more likely to say “no way, Grandpa” to a landline, but a study shows that just how poor you are may determine whether you’ll decide to cut the cord.

The National Center for Health Statistics released a study which revealed that 40 percent of people living in poverty are more likely to only use cellphones. In contrast, only 21 percent of people with higher incomes opted for the wireless option.

Why? What do you mean, why? If I have to choose between my landline or a cellphone, of course it’s going to be my landline. Please, the cellphone wins out without a contest. It’s got that awesome thing going for it, whatchamacallit: mobility.

In addition with cellphone plans and phones generally becoming more affordable, some states also give out subsidies to low-income earners, which then can be applied to wireless bills. Then, of course, if it’s not possible to sign up for a contract, prepaid plans also offer flexible alternatives.

Comparatively, young’ns between the ages of 18 and 30 tend to only use their cellphones versus landlines, with 44 percent thinking the latter option is antiquated. That number slices in half after they hit the big 3-0. People who are also extremely mobile and nomadic also tend to have a high percentage of cellphone-only users.

The study also found that Arkansas and Mississippi had the highest concentration of cellphone-only households. Both states had a 35 percent rate of being landless. Texas, North Dakota and Idaho rounded out the top five.

(via New York Times)

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