There will come a time when toll-free calling is a thing of the past. Internet phone calling is growing by leaps and bounds each year. The only problem is that some of these services do not reach 911. Several people have died because 911 could not be reached in the home. Apparently, it wasn’t a top priority of the Internet phone services when they started up and local phone companies have refused to connect people to 911 when they use one of these services. Now, Congress is pushing through a law that requires the four monopoly phone companies to connect people to the 911 centers when they call. Until that happens, use your cell phone to call 911 if you have an Internet phone.

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In other news, satellite phones are selling like hotcakes since Hurricane Katrina. According to the Wall Street Journal, satellite phones have increased by 1000 percent and have kept at that rate since the hurricane. They were the only phones working in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama when the hurricane hit. They are expensive, though, at about $500 for the phone and 35 cents a minute. In addition, Sprint is working on a deal that would allow your cell phone to work as a home phone when you’re at home and a cell phone when you’re not home. It basically links up to whatever service is available in your range, and that is where we’re headed down the road. You’ll have one phone that switches between home, cell and satellite.