I use Google Voice to run my cell phone’s voicemail. This has many advantages including visual voicemail, call screening, and the ability to access my voicemail from a computer or tablet.
Right now, the area where I work and live has been devastated by an early winter storm. We are in the middle of what is likely an 8 day power outage. Unfortunately, my cell phone, my lifeline to the world, lacks service.
I can’t make or receive phone calls or text messages from my phone.
However, I am able to get periodic access to wifi and a landline. Because google voice operates in the cloud, I’m able to access my voicemail which is a godsend. Though I can’t always respond as quickly as I’d like – at least I’m able to receive messages.
I’m also able to send text messages from my computer.
I was able to port my cell phone number to google voice for free with Sprint. While I wish I had service, opting into google voice is proving to have been a very wise decision.