Home Phone Zone
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What About the Landline?
It's Still the Gold Standard for Home Phone Service

Want to dump your home landline for one of the Alternatives? There are ways to cut your landline costs without cutting the landline, and there are good arguments for keeping the one you have.  The landline is indeed the top choice for quality among Home Phone services, and for what it costs, it should be. A wired connection between you and the phone company is one of the most reliable communications connections available in the world.  The phone companies have had over a hundred years to get it right.  Our number one point  for the landline is good audio quality.  True, it's not HD, but compared to the other Home Phone alternatives it's truly easy on the ears.

The landline (and it's almost-as-good Cable TV telephone connection) is regulated by the federal government which requires a certain level of quality and reliability.  These connections also suffer from an unfair excise tax that drives the price much higher than it needs to be.  Some costs, like 911 support, are justifiable, but too many governments use phone lines as a source of tax revenue.

Landlines offer both regulated and unregulated services.  As a result, some calling features like Caller ID, which are unregulated, are used to make more profit for the phone company. These features are offered by most alternative Home Phone services for FREE!

If you already have a landline, think carefully about taking it out in favor of a cheaper alternative.  Don't cut the cord just because you don't like the phone company.  First, look for ways to cut your Landline cost.  If you do cut the cord, you can still keep your number. In some areas your phone company can integrate your home phone and cell phone for a 1-number experience.

How to Lower Costs with a Landline


Landline Pros & Cons


Controlling Costs with a Landline Home Phone:

  • BUNDLE:
    Discounts are available when you tie in your Internet, phone and/or video services together.  The savings can range from significant to none.  For example, If you already have Cable TV or Internet wired into your home, you may save by subscribing to the cable company's phone service.  Make sure you do the math, these providers rarely provide a breakout of the actual price of phone service.

  • UNBUNDLE:
    You might be stuck in a bundle with a charge for your Home Phone service that has crept up without you knowing it.  Ask about splitting up your services to see if you can save by paying for them a la carte, or by replacing one or more of your other bundled services.

  • PROMOTIONS:
    From time to time, phone and cable companies offer a deal that could apply to any one service or, more likely, a bundle. These can be "For Life", for 1 or 2 years, or may require a contract.

  • SPECIAL USERS:
    You may qualify for a discount based on being a Senior, having low income or other specific circumstances. Ask about their  "Lifeline" program.

  • BASIC SERVICE:
    Most regulated phone companies must provide a "basic" phone service for a state-mandated cost, which can be reasonable.  Basic means no Calling Features, a limited number of calls, or, in some cases, no access to Long Distance.

  • REMOVE LONG DISTANCE SERVICE:
    You're already making your Long Distance calls for FREE on your cell phone, there's no reason to pay extra to have it on your home phone. In most cases, Long Distance is part of a "bundle" that is rolled into your home phone charges.  Get a Basic Service without Long Distance. Unfortunately, it may not be available at your local phone company.

  • LIFELINE SERVICE:
    You might qualify for a low-cost government-subsidized service. See if you qualify.

Advantages of the Landline:
  • EMERGENCY CALLS
    Calls to 911 are routed to the nearest emergency dispatch center and most likely they will know your location
    automatically. Because the phone has a 'dial tone', you'll know when the line has been cut by zombies.

  • MOST PLUG-IN DEVICES WILL WORK
    The wired landline is normally compatible with devices that exchange data including fax machines, alarm systems, credit card machines, satellite modems, medical alert systems, and even dialup Internet service.

  • CALLER ID
    Incoming Caller ID on a wired line normally displays as much ID information as is available.  Outgoing Caller ID is more detailed than most services.

  • POWER OUTAGES
    During a power outage your landline will continue to work.  If your home phone unit plugs into an electrical outlet you may lose phone service unless it has a battery backup.  It's always good to have a simple wired phone for use in power outages.

  • WIRED NETWORK RELIABILITY
    Wired phone lines have been required to provide as close to 100% reliability as possible.
     Since all the necessary equipment is maintained at the phone company's central office there's nothing to break at your end of the line.


  • PREDICTABLE CALL BEHAVIOR
    When you enter your number and make a call, there are few surprises.  The call goes through subject to the status of the line at the other end.

  • SAFETY
    If you have an emergency you aren't dependent on a cell phone battery.  If you have visitors or a baby sitter, they will have access to emergency services who will know the location of the emergency.

  • YOU HAVE A "HOUSE" PHONE FOR THE FAMILY
    No need to carry your cell phone in your pocket at home. You get a 'dial tone,' which may be a big deal for older relatives or visitors either when using the phone in their home or yours.

  • CUSTOMER SERVICE
    The phone company usually needs more knowledgeable customer service personnel, but there is no guarantee those people sit in the US or speak understandable English.  You are permitted by law to ask for a stateside customer service representative.

 Disadvantages:
  • LANDLINES CAN BE EXPENSIVE
    Your per-month expense can be significant with a landline.  While basic service can be relatively economical, there's no limit to the price the phone company can charge for extra features, and how many fees government can add.  Choose a single feature like Caller ID and it could boost your phone bill as much as 50%.  

  • LANDLINES AREN'T PORTABLE
    You are limited to using your phone line in one location.

  • INSTALLATION REQUIRES HELP
    Unlike other Home Phone alternatives, the Landline may need to be set up including a visit from a technician. There are normally significant charges to activate a landline whether or not somebody visits your premises.

  • CALLING FEATURES AND LONG DISTANCE CONNECTIONS MAY BE CHARGED EXTRA
    Some phone companies offer bundles that include features and long distance charges but don't expect the ones you want to be included without extra charges.

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