I've lost power, Internet and cell service, once all at the same time (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeast_Blackout_of_2003).

I've never lost POTS...

And if I dial 911, they know immediately where the call originated, right down to the house, even if I can't tell them.

We use wireless phones through the house, but I keep a POTS plugged in in the master bedroom.

We still have our landline and several non-wireless phones around. However for a week after hurricane Ike the landlines in our neighborhood were not available. FEMA had taken over these landlines for their own use. I don't know if they did this for all of Houston, but at least 800 house around me did NOT have access to their landline telephone service.

During that time cell phones were very spotty, and even text messages could take over 24 hours to send. This taught me not to expect any phone service to be available in a big disaster.

-Blast

Its the opposite here. I've used my internet connection to report my power out a couple times and my (POT) phone out dozens of times. So my internet is been the most reliable, gas second, power third and phone last.

It seems that the best strategy is to keep your options open and diversify.

Seems like the best plan. Expect the best and plan for the worst, and all that!

I'm not even sure I could physically go back to a landline now. I use a WiMax based internet/phone service and after being on that for a year or so, Verizon's contractors came and physically removed the copper line to the house!

I'd imagine I'd have to pay for them to re-install the line.

A POTS phone is a MUST HAVE for your home. Even if you just keep it in a box, it's a crucial thing to have.

The phone is in the cupboard. The line is gone!

It's not the phone that's the problem...it's the $50 line charge for a phone that goes unused.

I still have a POTS line and phone. Very, very reliable service in my area. Unlike my cell phones, which have excellent coverage but the lines are oversubscribed -- any major event in the area leaves me trying many times before I can get a call out.