Verizon announced on Friday the launch of two new "Party Line" cellular plans, allowing up to 20 strangers to listen to calls at the same time. "Focus groups revealed that seniors in rural communities missed the era of conversations without user or privacy agreements," said product manager Jalen Richards. "We've simply brought back that feeling of community. As a result, customers who describe their neighbor as a 'farm' have grown by 87%."
Verizon is offering two plans. The 'Pasture Plus' with unlimited passive listening on anyone within a 30-acre radius, and the 'Silage Deluxe' which targets selected area codes. "I like the Silage plan," said Sarah Lockwood. "It's nice to be able to keep up with people that have moved on. It feels like they never left."
As an early adopter, Sarah has become something of a party line influencer, maintaining an average of 18 strangers joining her calls. "I get a notification whenever Sarah even comes within 12 feet of her phone" said Wilson Collins, who claims to be her biggest fan. He, like Verizon, tracks Sarah's calls to her pharmacist, and physical therapist. "We take some of the same meds," he said, joking that he's also considered starting the estradiol patch after hearing how it's helped her.
Verizon stated that Sarah's marathon talk sessions with her old friend and neighbor average six to eight hours straight and influence a number of seniors like Wilson. "She has a lot of stamina. I imagine meeting her in person someday," he added. He claimed to have tried getting noticed on the line by clearing his throat and even purposely sipping scalding hot coffee, but has yet to receive so much as a 'did you hear that?' "It could be because her calls are long-distance" he explained. "Her neighbor has been nothing but a dial tone for three months."
For Baby Boomers, party lines were the original BlueSky, minus the dancing