Fight to Keep Phone Landlines Available

In New Jersey, where Verizon has not rebuilt some of the telephone lines destroyed by Superstorm Sandy in 2012, AARP is fighting to keep landlines available.

“Phone companies are nudging customers toward wireless service, but for some people, a landline is a lifeline,” said Dave Mollen, AARP state president.

Copper-wire connections are needed to monitor most medical equipment and home security systems, and wireless technology is less reliable during emergencies.

About 94 percent of registered New Jersey voters age 50-plus have landline service, an AARP survey showed. About 12 percent said they need it for medical monitoring, and nearly 19 percent said it’s important for personal security.

AARP is asking legislators, the governor and the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to ensure what 8 of 10 survey respondents want: access to a landline. Call 888-858-7330 toll-free to ask the BPU to protect landlines.