Remember the Landline phone?
We know how to get one back!
We are here to help you get set up with a landline and landline pod of your own.
Thinking of setting up a landline for your kids?
Here’s what you’ll need:
- An old-school corded phone
- A “phone service” plan
But here’s the catch: many homes today no longer have traditional landline jacks. No worries—Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a great modern alternative. VoIP uses your internet connection to make calls instead of old copper wiring. You still get a local phone number!
A few tips to keep in mind:
Avoid spam calls. Look for a plan that blocks robocalls and telemarketers. Some free options don’t, and no one wants a dinner-time sales pitch.
Kid-safe dialing. If the phone is mainly for your kids, consider a plan that limits outgoing calls to a set list of numbers. (And you will likely want to make sure it can dial 911.)
Ease of setup. Some VoIP services are plug-and-play, while others require more setup. If you’re not super tech-savvy, you might prefer a plan that includes the phone or offers simple setup instructions.
So, how do you set up a landline phone using VoIP?
Here are a couple of options. (We don’t get a kick-back or anything!)
Tin Can
(One-time Purchase of $75; free plan available.)
Our take: We love Tin Can because you get a phone included! Plus, it’s purpose-built for kids, and offers great features like parental controls.
Tin Can is a telephone club for friends to chat voice-to-voice during the no-smartphone years, founded by a couple of dads in Seattle as a project for their own kids. Only approved contacts can call or be called by your Tin Can, and spam calls are impossible. Easily manage who's allowed in your kids club via the parents-only companion app (iOS and Android). Set up a quiet hours schedule or enable “Do Not Disturb” within the app. Call other Tin Cans for free. Call friends, family and 911 for $9.99/month.
Ooma Telo
(one-time purchase of $99.99, $9.99 for a spam-call-free plan)
Our take: Ooma Telo is a popular option known for its low cost and ease of use. They offer a free basic service (with users only paying applicable taxes and fees), but upgrading to Premier service with additional features like call blocking costs extra. You provide your own phone.
Telo is a device that connects to your router through a hardwired connection. Designed to connect to any handset. Purchase Telo at a one-time cost. (They do offer a “free” plan, but you might be getting a side of spam calls with that.) More information is available here.
Magic Jack
($44.99/year)
Our take: This company has been around since 2007. We have heard mixed reviews, but want to provide it here as option if cost is your only consideration. You provide your own phone.
More information is available here.
Other VOIP services
(Monthly fee of $8-14/ month.)
There are a lot of other VoIP providers out there, with varying degrees of ease of use. Once you sign up for a service, you receive an adapter in the mail. You plug the adapter into your internet router or connect it to your Wi-Fi network, and they find the provider's network by themselves.Then you pay a monthly fee for landline service. (Make sure you can use a corded phone.)
Some options are recommended by Forbes here.
Cable & Phone companies
If you still have a phone jack in your phone, a you could contact a phone service provider in your area, such as AT&T, Verizon, Spectrum, or Cox. Your internet provider might also provide a “landline” service as part of your internet plan, as almost every regional residential cable company and internet provider offers some sort of "triple play" deal that combines internet, TV, and phone service for a single monthly charge. But keep in mind, these are generally more expensive than VOIP plans.
Then create a “phone tree” list for all members of your landline pod…
