Home phone service: your options
Copper landlines are being retired in many areas, but a home phone number still makes sense for many households. Here are the ways to keep one, and what each costs you in reliability.
Internet phone service (VoIP), such as Ooma, is the cheapest way to keep a home number if you have home internet. A wireless home phone, such as Community Phone, works without internet over cell networks. A phone line from your cable or fiber provider is simple but usually costs more. Only some options work in a power outage.
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Your options compared
| Option | Needs home internet | Works in a power outage | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional landline | No | Yes, if copper and the phone is corded | Where it is still offered |
| Internet phone (VoIP) | Yes | Only with a battery backup | Lowest monthly cost |
| Wireless home phone | No | With its built-in or backup battery | Homes without internet, rural areas |
| Provider phone line | Yes | With a battery backup | Bundling with internet |
| Cell phone only | No | Until the battery runs out | People who don't need a fixed number |
Internet phone service (VoIP)
VoIP plugs into your router and uses your home internet. Ooma Telo is a popular choice: you buy the device once, and basic service has no monthly plan fee, only taxes and fees. You can usually keep your current number. It stops working if your internet or power goes out, so put the router and phone base on a battery backup.
Wireless home phone
A wireless home phone connects your regular phone to cell networks through a small base, so it doesn't need home internet. Community Phone offers this kind of service. It suits homes that don't have internet, people moving off a copper line, and rural areas with weak landline service. Check cell signal at your home first.
If your copper landline is being retired
Phone companies are replacing copper lines with fiber or wireless service in many areas. If you got a notice, read what the copper landline phase-out means for you. You can usually keep your number when you switch.
Medical alerts, alarms and fax
Check before you switch. Some medical alert systems, home alarms and fax machines need a landline or a specific type of service. Ask the device company which home phone services it works with.
Bundling a phone line with internet
Cable and fiber providers sell home phone lines, often as part of a bundle. It's convenient, but the price usually rises after the promotion. See internet and phone bundle discounts.
What home phone service costs
Keep your number
You can usually keep your existing number when you switch to VoIP or a wireless home phone. Don’t cancel the old line first: start service with the new provider and ask them to port the number, which typically takes a few days to two weeks. Have your account number, PIN and the name on the old account ready.
911 and power outages
VoIP and wireless home phones work in a power outage only if the device, and for VoIP your modem and router, have backup power. Register your service address for 911 with the new provider so emergency calls show the right location. A small UPS keeps a modem, router and phone base running for hours; see the best UPS for a modem and router.
Bundled discounts
Some providers discount internet when you add a phone line, and some mobile carriers discount home internet when you have a phone plan. See internet and phone bundle discounts to compare.
Questions
Can I keep my landline number with VoIP?
Usually yes. Start the new service first and ask the provider to port your number; don’t cancel the old line until the port is complete.
Does a home phone work during a power outage?
A traditional copper landline often does. VoIP and wireless home phones need backup power for the phone base and, for VoIP, the modem and router.
What is the cheapest home phone service?
Usually internet phone service (VoIP) such as Ooma, if you already have home internet. You pay for the device, then only taxes and fees for basic service.
Can I keep my home phone number?
Usually, yes. Most services let you transfer (port) your number.
Does home phone service work in a power outage?
A corded phone on a copper landline does. VoIP and provider phone lines need a battery backup. Wireless home phones work as long as their battery lasts.
Do I need internet for a home phone?
Not with a traditional landline or a wireless home phone. VoIP and provider phone lines need home internet.
- Plan and pricing pages from Ooma, Community Phone and the cable and fiber providers’ home phone add-ons, checked Oct 2026
- FCC rules on 911 and backup power for internet phone service
- FCC filings and carrier notices on copper landline retirement
Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research
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Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.