Re - Eugene

If you have access to a Cable Broadband connection you can use Voice over IP (VOIP). This will route the voice call over the IP network in the same way as normal IP Internet traffic. If there is a local power outage you may not be able to keep your modem and PC running. I would recommend a VOIP capable cable Router with a Uninterruptible Power Supply to allow the router to maintaining your Broadband connection and hence the ability to use VOIP telephone calls. Using a decent UPS to power the VOIP router would give 12-24hrs use. Whether there was a UPS at the other end of the cable is another matter.

EDIT

I've just seen a BBC report about the 25th Anniversary of the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands. It reported that the first the UK government knew of the invasion was a report from a local farmer in Port Stanley, who was a radio HAM enthusiast, reporting the invasion to the BBC radio HAM club in Central London. The BBC reporter then informed an official at the Foreign Office who then informed the Prime Minister then Parliament. Short Wave radio still has its place!!