When Motorola introduced the first cell phone in 1973, it measured an unwieldy nine by five by two inches and weighed more than two pounds.

Three decades later, cell phones have become so convenient that many people use them instead of land lines, with college students especially drawn to the freedom, convenience and economy cell phones offer.

Sean Kinneen, associate director of Boston University’s Telecommunications Office, said only 25 percent of students on campus use the wired phone lines in their dorm rooms.

While the low use of land lines does not directly cause BU any problems, he said it can make students harder to reach.

“BU used to have a little community where everyone had the five digit numbers beginning with a three or two,” he said. “Now most students have long distance numbers and are harder to get in touch with.”

Matt Scholder, a College of Arts and Sciences freshman, said he prefers the convenience cell phones offer, and thinks people are actually easier to contact with cell phones.

“Cell phones can be brought anywhere,” he said. “If anyone wants to reach me they can, no matter where I am.”

CAS freshman Nancy Lee said she decided to use her cell as her only phone because it’s cheaper.

“I can call [long distance] for free with a cell,” she said. “It’s not practical to pay for a second line.”

Lee admitted that cell phones aren’t perfect – she said trying to keep the bill down by taking advantage of unlimited airtime during nights and weekends can often be inconvenient.

“It’s difficult to restrict calling to only nights and weekends,” she said.

Mary Rafferty, a spokeswoman for Verizon, the phone company that provides all of BU’s land line service, agreed and pointed out that cell phone service can also be erratic.

“Wire line phones are just more reliable than cell phones,” she said.

To compete with cell phones, Rafferty said Verizon has started “bundling” or “packaging” common cell phone features such as three-way calling, call waiting and voicemail with its land lines. The company also offers discounted packages for students who only intend to make calls within or near BU.

Although land lines have dramatically dropped in popularity, some students continue to use them, including CAS freshman Ewa Jakubowska, who uses a traditional land line instead of a cell phone.

“Getting a cell would have been unnecessary,” she said. “I was used to a wire line, and I didn’t have a need to switch.”

However, Jakubowska said she may change her mind next year.

“I’m probably going to switch next year because cell phones are less expensive and are more convenient.”