Telephone

Phones are a necessity if you need friends. In The Sims 2 they're white-ish tan and can be either table phones or wall phones. In University, you can have cell phones. Pets and FreeTime each add a new style of phones.

You can talk to Sims on the phone. You can invite Sims over to your house. You can call a taxi. You can also ask people on a date and have outings (Nightlife). Throw parties, apply for scholarships, hire Services, start a Business, buy real estate, book a vacation, etc.

The cell phones (NOYIN 2680) can be bought for 149 Simoleons from a Sellafone Gadget vending machine, once bought the phone stays in a Sim's inventory and can be used by left-clicking the Sim. The phone can also be put anywhere in the Sim's home.