87-Year-Old Man’s Struggle with Modern Communication: The Challenges of Transitioning from Landline to Mobile Phone

Most people use mobile phones. Not the father. He was breaking both him and me the other day.

The old man will soon turn 87, and although he is alert for his age, he is not a fan of modern technology. A tablet works well. A not so big mobile phone. But he has managed well with a land line. Or “broadband phone” as the solution is called when the dear old state Televerk preferred to get rid of the old wives.

Soon, however, he will move a hundred meters, and with that I had the dubious pleasure of calling that telecommunications man. The case manager said that “broadband phones are going to be phased out, but as your father is a current customer, it should probably be fine to have the number a movement”. Good. I hung up – and shortly after that my father’s phone died.

I had to call back, and another operator sighed heavily when I told him. It turned out that broadband calling was no longer an option, and my father’s subscription was suddenly terminated.

So what do you do? Start sending smoke signals? Get carrier pigeons? No, he would get a new desktop phone that goes through the mobile phone network. Actually, a mobile phone, but with a handset and a cord and connection to the mains. Should arrive within three to four days.

Did he do that? No, of course not. It took eight days, and on top of that, the nice new phone cost 1500 bucks.

Thanks for that, Telia.