Living Without a Cellphone reports that the hard economic times have caused some people to reduce or give up cell phone services. While the great recession wasn't the reason, I have never had a personal cell phone since I couldn't justify the convenience or the cost. I even avoided having one at work for several years until my organization demanded I carry one, which I did in my final year before retiring.
People have asked me whether I feel unsafe when driving long distances without a cell phone. What would I do if my car broke down, they ask. I tell them I'll do what I would have done before cell phones, walk to the next exit or ask a passing driver to send help. More likely, a passing driver would likely call in the issue on their cell phone.
However, I do have another answer, which I learned in the 90s when I bought a car with a "car phone." I never started the service, but had heard that 911 works on all mobile phones, even ones without a service provider. I tested the 911 service once when I passed an accident about a minute after it happened. I called 911 and was connected. For reference, 911 already knew about the accident.
So my emergency phone option is an old Sprint cell phone, with no contract, that I inherited from my dad when he passed away. I keep it in my truck with the car charger attachment. So if there is ever a need, I can dial 911.
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We have a pay-as-you go phone mainly for emergency purposes. Like you, we just couldn't justify the costs of a fancier plan and didn't like the idea of being bound to a contract.
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