Decommissioning. By the 1980s, party lines were removed in most localities. They were not supported by new technologies and subscriber-owned equipment such as answering machines and computer modems.

When did telephone party lines become obsolete?

Party Lines is an etiquette film for a long-gone part of rural life: the party line. Shared/group telephone subscriptions were an integral part of American culture until they were phased out primarily between the 1950s and 1970s.

What was a party line in the 70s?

Party Lines A party line was a local telephone loop circuit that was shared by more than one subscriber. There was no privacy on a party line; if you were conversing with a friend, anyone on your party line could pick up their telephone and listen in.

Can you still use old rotary phones?

As long as those switches still support rotary dialing, and most do, the old phones will work. The ONT usually handles pulse or dial phones just fine, said Paker.

Whats the 411 slang?

slang. : relevant information : skinny fiber-optic 411 fed 24/7 in satellite real time— Jeff MacGregor.