Home Phone Service in Washington

Residential VoIP Phone Service in Washington

VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. This type of phone service transmits calls over a high-speed internet connection by use of a traditional analog phone, a computer, or a specially designed IP phone. Using a VoIP service may be beneficial to somebody who owns a business or potentially lives in two homes, as they would be able to use the same phone number on any device at any location as long as they have internet access.

With that said, you may be at a disadvantage with a VoIP phone service if you have a shared or slow connection. On top of that, you would be unable to use your phone service in the case of a power outage or Internet outage. If you're curious how your internet connection holds up, you can test your speed with MyRatePlan's handy evaluation tool.

When you use VoIP service, you're usually assigned a random phone number given to you by the service provider. Although you typically cannot customize your phone number, you are often able to choose the area code that goes with it. In this case, it may not be necessary for you to pick a Washington area code. This could be beneficial to somebody who owns a business as a different area code could affect how much a caller pays to contact the business.

VoIP services often come with many features that may vary depending on what provider you choose. Each feature can be valuable in its own way, depending on what you need from your phone service. For example, a VoIP service may come with caller identification (caller ID), blocking, conference calling, call forwarding, or unlimited domestic calls. Customer service features vary depending on the provider but are often offered 24/7.

Prices for VoIP phone services in Washington are often very inexpensive, sometimes costing as low as $7 a month. When looking for a good deal, however, it is important to note that VoIP service prices do not include the cost of a high-speed internet connection. To use a VoIP phone service, you will need to have an internet connection first.

Traditional Landline Service in Washington

Landlines gained popularity decades ago and have continued to be a favorite among phone users in Washington. To install a landline, phone service providers will put a phone jack in the wall and customers can plug the device of their choice into the jack. The phone system works by underground copper wires.

Landlines are considered a favorite since they provide uninterrupted, steady connection and a clear sound. On the less appealing side, landlines are stationary and cannot be accessed from other locations, making them impossible to use if you are traveling or even more than a few feet outside of your home. Landline services are also known as being extremely pricey with an average cost of $49.99 a month.

Wireless Home Phone Services in Washington

Finally, we have the wireless option that has so often been bundled with the traditional home phone service in Washington. You can bundle a traditional phone with a cell phone plan or you can choose just the wireless option. For serious calls that can't handle interruptions, the traditional option is best. For calls on the go, the wireless option is the only way to go.

Wireless cell phones go with you wherever you go. You can find your perfect plan by comparing cell phone plans in Washington using MyRatePlan. Some people prefer a contract wireless plan which gives you a mobile device for a reduced price in exchange for signing up for one service for an extended period of time (usually 1-2 years). Prepaid wireless plans have become popular in recent years, though, since they allow you to pay a very small price for wireless perks. For example, you might pay $25 a month for unlimited text and calls. If you don't pay, you don't have a plan, but this allows you to budget your cellphone plan better. Many companies even have a by the day payment plan that lets you adjust your phone service mid-month.

For those who love mobile apps and texting on the go, a wireless plan is a necessity. No other phone is going to allow you to shoot a quick text message to a family member or send them a picture of a beautiful place you just visited. Compared to traditional home phone services, wireless plans can be much cheaper by the month. However, you'll have to buy a mobile device in order to use it, and this can become expensive.