Is there a way to reduce monthly bill?

[debodun]

Seven years ago I was not paying more than $25 a month for land line service. Now I'm paying around $45 a month. I hardly use my home phone, but I do not have any other phone service (e.g. cable, wireless). I pay to keep the line plus I have to pay for each call I make and to maintain long distance service (Verizon's) which I may use once every 2 or 3 years. Is there any less expensive plan? Or give advice on how to lower monthly bill. My cable company is after me to switch to a their service, but I've heard that if the power goes out, they are useless. Also the sound quality is not that good with cable phones. Do not know if these are true statements, though. Thanks for any guidance.

[acraftylady]

I can tell you I have friends here that have Time Warner phone service and the sound is very clear and good but if the power goes out there is no battery back up so no phone unless you have a cell.    Can't say about other cable companies as that's all we have here.    I was tired of paying $45 for basic home phone on top of our cells since we don't make or receive a lot of calls  so we just dropped the home phone last month and had that number ported to my cell and so far it works fine.  My son is 1 1/2hrs. from here in college so I needed the texting so use the cell a little more than the home phone so that was our solution.  I like that I can now get my calls where ever I am around town or out of state and don't have to keep calling home to check messages.    Mary

[forums322]

If you live in certain areas and your income is low enough you could see if you qualify for the Lifeline discount. 

[HANNINGTON]

Look into Ooma as an alternative to your landline. I just purchased the system over the weekend and I have one month to return it to Bestbuy. The setup is easy and the quality is good. You will just pay $12/year otherwise if you stay with the ordinary plan (paid plan includes blackmail listing and ability for phone to monitor the call). With the basic plan, you still have Caller ID, and voice mail.  I will post my results.

[prisaz]

If you only use the phone once an a while you may want to look at a Flat Rate service plan. It is under $10 but maintains your wireline service.

http://www22.verizon.com/residential/homephone/localandlongdistance/

[acraftylady]

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@prisaz wrote:

If you only use the phone once an a while you may want to look at a Flat Rate service plan. It is under $10 but maintains your wireline service.

http://www22.verizon.com/residential/homephone/localandlongdistance/

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I typed in our zipcode and it said flat rate was $23 a month.  Mary

[prisaz]

WOW!

Like what has been discussed by others, anything like internet or cable phone service is going to rely on power. If lifeline service is not real important you could go with something like Vonage. I have FIOS so phone is part of my bundle and it also relies on power at my house, but has a battery backup for a period of time.

It must be your location. This is mine.

20874 is

Economy Message Rate Service

Make calls to your local calling area at the rate of $.10 per call. There is no monthly call allowance for this service and you can only have one line. Included in this price is a monthly recurring per-line charge of $5.92 for dial-tone.

Learn more

$5.92/month

To order call: 888-583-8111

[acraftylady]

This is the choices I get.  I like the cell better now with my home number attached so I can get my calls where ever I am.    Mary

Flat Rate Service

Make unlimited local calls within your primary calling area (PCA) for Downstate customers or local calling area (LCA) for Upstate customers for a fixed monthly charge.

Learn more

$23.00/month

Order Now

Sensible Minute

Provides you with the convenience of a simple flat rate of $.11 per minute for all your direct-dialed, regional toll calls and you can call whenever you like.

Learn more

$2.99/month

Order Now

Unlimited Local Plan

Gives all Downstate NY customers the flexibility and freedom of unlimited local calling to all locations within your Home Region for a fixed monthly charge.

Learn more

$24.95/month

To order call: 888-583-8111

Message Rate Service

There is a monthly charge of $15.80 for dial-tone service, plus the cost of your calls. Calls in your Home Region (Downstate) and Bands A-D (Upstate) are billed at $.09 per call, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Learn more

$15.80/month

To order call: 888-583-8111

[prisaz]

I to have cell service with 4 phones and have also been thinking of dropping my landline like so many others.

[acraftylady]

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@prisaz wrote:

I to have cell service with 4 phones and have also been thinking of dropping my landline like so many others.

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We just did it last month.  Took about 7 days for the number to be ported but once you request it you can check online and it will tell you what day and then that night at midnight I got a text alerting me the port had gone through and my cell number was no more.  Don't regret this one bit as we don't have a lot of calls but need the texting.  So nice to get my calls where ever I am and when I am out of state won't have to call home to check the answering machine.  Mary