<p>USC just this year is officially eliminating landlines in dorm rooms unless you specifically request them via work order and pay a monthly fee - reason being that most people use their cells these days. Only problem is there is no cell service in my son's room (and most of the dorm, in fact).</p>
<p>I don't understand how they can adopt this policy without sufficient cell reception (and we're talking all providers here!), but that's what it is.</p>
<p>The landlines will require a calling card for long distance (we live in LA but it's still long distance), so my question is this: Isn't there some way to use googl or something to make free long distance calls? Remember there is no cell service.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>huh, I’m on Verizon (in A&H) and don’t have a problem with reception. My suitemates who are on ATT have more issues here, but Verizon’s working fine for me.</p>
<p>And I just Googled (of course) the voice thing, apparently it’s a part of gmail. You can also voice- or video-chat computer-to-computer with iChat or Skype, I believe.</p>
<p>What floor are you on? Third floor on my son’s wing has a half a bar, and it’s shaky. Chatting requires both people being on line when one needs to speak to the other, so it’s not quite as convenient as a phone. I don’t understand the gmail voice thing at all, hence my question. Sounds like you need cell or computer to be at the ready.</p>
<p>Use google voice or skype if necessary. Google voice would work with a landline so that should be your first choice.</p>
<p>Might want to also consider a cell phone repeater like this ( [Wi-Ex</a> zBoost zP zPersonal YX300 (YX-300) by Wireless Extenders](<a href=“http://www.repeaterstore.com/products/repeaterkits/wi-ex/zboost-zp-wireless.html]Wi-Ex”>http://www.repeaterstore.com/products/repeaterkits/wi-ex/zboost-zp-wireless.html) ) if worse comes to worst. I had one in my old military dorm and it worked out great though it became obsolete when I switched from Cingular to VZW.</p>
<p>I’m on the fourth floor, overlooking Expo, and right now I have three bars.</p>
<p>Well, that’s good for you. My son says the fourth floor has good service, but his has horrible service. So it sounds confirmed.</p>