Compare Home Phone Service Plans

In-depth research is the best way to go for anyone in search of an ideal home phone service solution. Consumers should take their time during this process to ensure they get value for their money. They should look at three main aspects: price, benefits/features, and reliability of each service provider before making a final decision. Every consumer looking for a residential phone service aims to find a cost-effective option, which at the same time comes with features that will aid in increasing their productivity. Also, consumers value reliability of any product. Extended battery life, limited restrictions, and crystal-clear calls are some of the elements that consumers value in a residential phone service system. The first step towards realizing this on the consumer’s part is to have a stable Internet service connection. A WiFi test can determine whether an existing Internet connection is sufficient enough to run a VoIP service.

Residential VoIP Service

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) refers to an advanced form of technology, which converts voice signals to digital signals and then sends them over high-speed networks. One of the major perks of using VoIP services is that users can utilize them anywhere around the world as long as an Internet connection is available. This feature makes VoIP an ideal choice for business people and individuals who are always on the move since they can have active phone line connections on the go.

VoIP phone services usually come with many useful features. Some of the features that customers get include unlimited calling, three-way call waiting, international calling, caller identification, call forwarding, call blocking, and full-time customer service provision. VoIP plans can cost as little as five dollars per month inclusive of all the features mentioned above. Therefore, VoIP is an economical and user-friendly phone service that would appeal to any consumer who is keen on pricing.

DSL Phone Service

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) phone service is a fast communications channel running through copper lines. This service resembles the standard telephone service on certain aspects but at the same time exhibits differences when it comes to transmission speed and overall convenience. DSL comes with a modem, which facilitates a hybrid system featuring both a telephone line connection and an Internet connection. Providers of DSL phone services usually sell Internet and telephone services in a single package.

Different DSL service providers offer varying prices per package. The lowest prices feature figures around 19.95 dollars per month with the possibility of rising depending on the specific Internet plan that a consumer may choose. Some providers may require customers to sign given contracts so that they may benefit from discounts. DSL plans may fit into some personal budgets, but they are still no the most economical solution when it comes to telephone services.

The advantage that a DSL service has over a standard residential phone service is the ability of the user to have access to Internet services at the same time. DSL services are also quicker than dial-up functions, allowing the user to utilize a telephone and a computer at the same time. Back in the days when dial-up and landlines were the main phone services, users could not work with telephones and computers simultaneously. Thus, DSL solutions are ahead of traditional telephone services.

The downside of using a DSL service is its unreliability. The reliability of a residential DSL phone line depends highly on its proximity to the service provider. DSL services may be limited to within a radius of only 18,000 feet. Any users further away than this range are likely not to receive the services. Another challenge that arises from using DSL services is the issue of engaged lines. This problem occurs whenever many users are trying to use the same service within a similar period, especially during the holiday season or when demand for emergency calls is high.

Landline Service

The landline service, also known as the traditional home telephone service, has been persistent in the communication sector. The service comprises connections to underground wires and a device, which connects it to a residential home. The use of landline services has rapidly declined since the advent of wireless phone connections and other innovations, but some homes still employ this phone technology.

Even though the old school landline telephone service is currently being phased out, it still holds one outstanding advantage over other similar communication systems. It always provides crisp-clear voice quality and never experiences downtime. However, many users are moving away from this service due to its immobility. Users have to stick to a particular location to place or receive phone calls. The standard landline is also quite an expensive service relative to other residential communication solutions. Average monthly costs that arise from residential landline services from one of the available providers is around 49.99 dollars.

Wireless Home Phone Service

Most consumers prefer the wireless home phone service option, especially those who are always on the move. Mobile phone service providers grant wireless solutions either on a post-paid or pre-paid option. Currently, many wireless service providers out there offer plans for the integration of some extra features. The additional features at a user’s disposal include caller identification with a wireless plan, voicemail and more advanced features such as a mobile hotspot that allows sharing of internet services with other devices.

Wireless phone services come with several benefits. Flexibility is the outstanding benefit of them all. Users can utilize phone services in any location as long as the providers have a communication tower set up there since the devices are small and portable. However, wireless phone services can be quite expensive. The cheapest of such services at the moment costs about 30 dollars per month. An average plan that comes with unlimited voice minutes requires an amount of around 50 dollars per month. Any additional features, such as data costs, text messaging and multimedia messaging, further inflate these prices. Some users usually collect phone bills of up to 100 dollars per month, making wireless services one of the most costly residential communication solutions. Despite the reliability that may come with the service, it may not be available in some locations due to coverage issues. Jump to top

Learn

• All about VoIP service
• Time to cut the cord?
• Cutting the cord
• Cheap U.S. long distance

Bundles

Bundling was started by landline phone companies concerned about the decline in their core home phone service business. Today, almost all bundles offered by the phone and cable companies include home phone service, along with high speed Internet and television. Bundling can save you money, particularly if you need to maintain home phone service. Click to see and compare bundle offers.