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In today's world, many people are switching to mobile phones for convenience and decreased landline phone costs. But, having a landline home phone service is still important for many households.
In addition to being reliable in times of emergency, it often offers better clarity during calls and can be an important part of keeping your family connected.
So, if you're thinking of getting a landline phone service, here are some tips on how to do it.
How do I get landline home phone service?
Decide which type of home phone service provider you want to use. There are three main types of landline phone service:
Traditional landline services, such as AT&T.
No longer offered as a standalone landline service. Slowly being phased out for modern home phone service providers.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) providers, such as Ooma or Vonage.
Requires internet connection.
Wireless (cellular-based) providers, like Community Phone and Ooma.
Uses cell towers to establish a landline connection.
How to setup landline service
Make sure you check the coverage area in your ZIP code before signing up for landline phone service. The options available to you may depend on your service address.
Compare pricing and features among different providers before making a decision.
Purchase any necessary hardware such as a modem, router, or hub depending on what type of service you opt for. Then contact your home phone provider for installation instructions - many of the new home phone services are simple and easy to install yourself in under a minute.
Make sure that everything is working properly before finishing installation - check things like call quality and reliability. After that, you're ready to start using your new landline!
How do I choose the best landline service?
When choosing a home phone service, there are several important factors to consider in order to ensure that you get the best service for your needs and budget.
Coverage: Home phone providers vary, depending on where you live. So it's important to check coverage and what providers are available in your area. You can do this by checking coverage in your ZIP code.
Calling Features: Before choosing your landline phone plan you'll want to know what features you need. Things like caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, and voicemail-to-text are not always available or may have an additional monthly fee.
Cost: How much do you want to spend on your landline service? There are plenty of options available for all budgets and needs.
Customer reviews: Make sure to check out reviews on the provider and phone plan to see what current customers are saying.
What features do I get with a landline?
Different types of landline services offer a number of popular calling features. These can vary depending on the landline network provider, but common calling features include:
Caller ID: Not just a feature for cell phones. You can get caller ID on your home phone too. You can see caller information on an incoming call.
Call waiting: Be alerted if someone is trying to call you while you're on another call.
Call forwarding: To make sure you don't miss a call, call forwarding sends incoming calls to your cell phone or another landline number. Call forwarding gives you more flexibility.
Three-way calling: Also known as conference calling; allows you to add a third person to existing two-way outgoing calls. It's useful for group conversations.
Call blocking: Also known as anonymous call rejection or call screening; blocks unwanted incoming calls from unwanted interruptions and will block spam calls.
Speed dial: No need to memorize phone numbers, dial a number in an instant.
Unlimited nationwide calling: Make outgoing calls and receive incoming calls nationwide. Check with each provider as unlimited calling and long-distance calling may incur additional fees.
Landline texting: Not available with all providers, but some offer the option of a landline texting feature.
Voicemail-to-text transcription: Not available with all providers, but some offer the option to have voice messages sent to your email in text format; basically readable voicemail.
Benefits of a VoIP landline service
There are a number of benefits to choosing a VoIP home phone service:
Lower costs: Running on your existing internet line means there's no need for an additional telephone line. So VoIP technology is nearly half the price of a landline.
Keep your existing number: You can easily transfer your phone number over.
Flexibility: You can take your home phone line wherever you go. With your provider's app, you'll be able to use your home phone services through the app when you're connected to the internet.
Clearer voice quality: Operating on high-speed internet the voice quality is crystal clear.
Reliability: As long as you have a good internet connection, VoIP home phones are very reliable.
Battery backup: The backup battery makes modern landlines as dependable as copper landlines. This is particularly important for businesses and households that rely on the phone for emergency situations.
Easy installation: Connecting to your existing internet, your VoIP home phone is easy to set up and install.
Extra features: Using the internet for your home phone service means there are many additional features available. Like three-way calling, video and conference calling, call forward, and many more.
Portability: If you move home it's easy to take your VoIP service to your new address.
Benefits of a cellular landline service
Check out these benefits with wireless home phone providers:
Lower costs: With affordable monthly bills, plus unlimited local and long-distance calls.
No internet required: Powered by cell towers you don't need an internet connection for your wireless home phone provider.
Easy setup: You'll receive a small modem device that you can just plug and go.
Keep your existing number: Easily transfer your current phone number over.
Battery backup: Works in a power outage.
Flexibility: Your home number can be used on your cell phone so you can take your landline where ever you go.
What is the future of landlines?
Home phone service has been reimagined. Many modern landline phones now have the secure connection and dependability we are used to from copper-wired phones. It's important to note that the old-school phone lines many of us grew up with are slowly being phased out by the FCC. They are no longer available as a standalone home phone service.
Setting up landline service FAQs
Can I keep my existing phone number if I switch to a different provider?
Yes, most providers allow you to port your existing phone number to their service without any extra charges.
Is traditional copper-wired landline service still available?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently announced its decision to shut down copper wire landlines in the United States. This decision will have a significant impact on telephone service providers and infrastructure, as well as the regulations surrounding them.
Why is the FCC shutting down copper-wired landlines?
Internet-based and wireless home phone service providers have become more prevalent and provide better service at a lower cost.
Will my medical alert system still work?
Yes, medical alert systems are able to monitor seniors or those with medical conditions with different home phone service providers. It's ultimately best to contact your medical alert systems provider to see the specific information for your particular situation.
Can I make international calls?
Yes, you be able to connect to family overseas or make international calls for your business. Check with your home phone provider for international calling rates and international calling plans as international rates may vary.
Do I need to pay for the equipment?
In some cases, there is a low, one-time fee for equipment. It typically pays for itself with the low monthly cost of service.
Will they send a technician to install the landline home phone service?
Depending on which home phone service provider you choose, most modern landline phones are easy self-installation. It's a simple plug-and-play model that takes less than a minute to install yourself.
Is it possible to add additional phones to my landline home phone system?
Yes, depending on the type of service you are using it is usually possible to expand your system by adding additional phones or devices to a landline base as needed.
Recap
Depending on the type of landline, they work using copper wires, digitally with internet-based VoIP service, or wirelessly with cellular-based service.
There're plenty of options to choose from whether that's a local phone company or one of the many nationwide carriers for your home or business landline services.
Make sure to assess the types of calling features that are necessary for your home phone. Do you want unlimited nationwide calling? Do you make a lot of international calls? These are important questions to consider when choosing the right service for you and your business.
Often used due because of their reliability, landlines offer peace of mind for good sound quality and are still commonly used in many countries including the United States.
