I tried to tell my dad that I should use GrapheneOS without a carrier and use Wi-Fi only. I’m trying to switch from iPhone. But then he gave me a counterargument and said, “Son, what if you’re stuck on the side of the highway with a broken down car or you need to call emergency services and you don’t have Wi-Fi?” What is the main counterargument to this?
In the US at least, phones without a service plan can still call 911.
The issue with that in his situation is 911 does not take kindly to “Hey, can you call my dad and tell him I ran out of gas?”
If it’s not a true emergency that they are expected to handle, emergency services frown on calling them.
His father’s argument is legitimate regarding needing a cellular carrier unless the poster would never unexpectedly need to contact family for help.
The same in the EU. All it needs is signal to any available mobile network.