Good landline replacement plan?

**slyphoxj** · 04-30-2012, 10:37 PM

I'm looking for suggestions for a good plan to replace my AT&T landline. My landline bill runs about $25/month (including all taxes and fees) for unlimited inbound and outbound local calls and absolutely zero calling features, plus about $1-3/month to Pioneer Telephone for long distance (less than 100 minutes a month usually). So I'd need something for $30/month or less.

T-Mobile has a $30 1500 minute plan, Virgin Mobile has a $30 1500 minute payLo plan and Page Plus has their $29.95 Talk N' Text 1200 plan. All of these plans include texting and data that would go unused on a line replacing the house landline. Does anyone offer a $25ish plan for 2000ish minutes but no texting or data? Or would I be better off to go with a VoIP solution? I could get phone service from WOW, my cable company, but I think that would run $35-$40 a month, about $8-10 more than my landline runs.

My goal is to get something for what my landline currently costs and get caller ID, call waiting, 3-way calling and voice mail for "free" without giving up too much of the reliability that I love about my landline

**Airforcekid** · 04-30-2012, 10:51 PM

Net10 prepaid cards or tracfone sounds best for you red pocket also offers unlimited minutes around $30 a month. After you try a smartphone however you may want the data and text messaging.

**slyphoxj** · 04-30-2012, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by Airforcekid

Net10 prepaid cards or tracfone sounds best for you red pocket also offers unlimited minutes around $30 a month. After you try a smartphone however you may want the data and text messaging.

The $25 Net10 plan only offers 700 minutes and the $29.95 Red Pocket plan offers only 250 minutes.

Another thing I didn't think of in my OP... I guess if I need faxing, I'm stuck with the landline or phone service from WOW or Time Warner?

**brad880** · 04-30-2012, 11:50 PM

Not sure about faxing but Ooma, Nettalk and Magicjack should all be considered. All offer unlimited minutes for much much less than $30 a month.

**vmobi** · 05-01-2012, 12:32 AM

Wirelessly posted (HTC Wildfire S: Opera/9.80 (Android; Opera Mini/7.29703/27.1573; U; en) Presto/2.8.119 Version/11.10)

consider Boost Mobile.
they offer an Unlimited talk & text plan with shrinkage to $30 (until May 31st).

a Google Voice account should also be considered in addition to whatever service provider you decide to utilize.

**rfranzq** · 05-01-2012, 01:30 AM

Originally Posted by slyphoxj

Another thing I didn't think of in my OP... I guess if I need faxing, I'm stuck with the landline or phone service from WOW or Time Warner?

Especially if you have a fax, WHY do you want to get rid of your land line?
And do you potentially have a crucial need for 911 service?
Losing the land line might not be worth it.

**HF305** · 05-01-2012, 07:37 AM

Since you have cable Internet already, you should use a VOIP service. If you didn't, the Verizon Home Phone Connect is a possibility. It is postpaid $20 per month (+ taxes) for unlimited calls including long distance, but it will not support fax.

**newcronos** · 05-01-2012, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by HF305

Since you have cable Internet already, you should use a VOIP service. If you didn't, the Verizon Home Phone Connect is a possibility. It is postpaid $20 per month (+ taxes) for unlimited calls including long distance, but it will not support fax.

I second the suggestion for VOIP through your Internet service. AT&T U-Verse and Charter both have their VOIP phone solutions. Usually these are between $30-$35 with full features (everything you mentioned and more) and unlimited local+long distance calls. As a new customer sometimes they'll even give you more discount for the first 3/6 months. Go check them out.

**krusir** · 05-01-2012, 01:09 PM

try... www.phonepower.com

**billm261** · 05-01-2012, 01:37 PM

Net Talk, 29.99 a year.

It also has an app for your phone to make calls over Wi-Fi

**HF305** · 05-01-2012, 02:49 PM

The NetTalk and Magic Jack Plus are $80 or $60 upfront for the device, but both include the first year of service with that.

**billm261** · 05-01-2012, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by HF305

The NetTalk and Magic Jack Plus are $80 or $60 upfront for the device, but both include the first year of service with that.

I've used (and hated) Magic Jack but not Magic Jack Plus. I do have Net Talk and use the Duo and it's way better.

**mframe** · 05-01-2012, 10:04 PM

I also would recommend the Nettalk Duo. The device is $50, including the first year of service, and it IS fax compatible.

**ORDUSA** · 05-04-2012, 12:09 AM

Ooma is great for your needs. It's been working for us perfectly since August of 2010.

Sent from my MOTWX435KT using HowardForums

**PL1** · 05-04-2012, 07:07 AM

Originally Posted by ORDUSA

Ooma is great for your needs. It's been working for us perfectly since August of 2010.

Ditto that. I've had a totally free home phone for at least 5 years now for an up front cost of about $200 plus $40 to port my number. I've never spent a dime since, and the calling quality is superb.