If you have a landline phone or regularly use one for work, you know that a place-based home phone or business phone is indispensable for connecting with friends, family, and customers. If you don’t regularly use a landline phone, you may be scratching your head at that claim. But it’s true: Landlines are still a crucial part of our communication infrastructure, offering direct, stable phone connections via “plain old telephone service” (POTS). Their reliability and specificity mean that landlines are a trusted choice for many households, organizations, and businesses for clear, uninterrupted, dependable communication.
Historically, landlines were exclusively powered by copper wire networks (buried under the land, hence the name). Today, however, landlines can also be powered by cellular voice networks and the internet.
Millions of Americans rely on copper wire landlines, internet-based landlines, and wireless landlines for phone service for their homes and businesses. In this article, we’ll share how each of these landline types work and who they are best for.
How do landlines work?
Until relatively recently, a landline telephone service used a network of physical cables, typically made of copper wire, to transmit voice communication. When you make a call, your voice is converted into electrical signals that travel through these cables to reach the recipient.
Today, some landlines still use these copper wire cables, but other landlines now use the internet or wireless cell tower signals to transmit voice communications.
Why should I get landline service in 2024?
- Landlines can be more reliable. They offer consistent, clear connections with minimal interference.
- Landlines may be the best option for reaching help in an emergency. Depending on the type of landline service and phone you have, your landline may be able to work if the internet is down, if the power is out, or both. Copper wire landlines, for example, don’t need power or internet, while wireless landlines don’t need internet and may even have battery long-lasting battery backup for power outages. For example, Community Phone’s landline base has a battery that keeps you connected for 26 hours without power.
- Landline phones can be more secure than cell phones. They’re less susceptible to hacking and eavesdropping compared to wireless communications, and they don’t collect or store sensitive data.
- Landline phones can be more available, extending telecommunications access to underserved communities. If you have access to a copper wire network, high speed internet, or reliable wireless service, there is a landline service for you.
- Landlines can help small businesses run more efficiently by offering an official point of contact for clients to reach the company and place orders.
- Landline phones can integrate with office phone systems, such as PBX (private branch exchange), to streamline communications infrastructure for businesses.
How to get landline service
In 2024, there are three types of landline services you can get. These landline services are:
- Copper wire landlines
- VoIP landlines
- Wireless landlines
Copper wire landlines
Copper wire landline service, sometimes called “plain old telephone services” (POTS), relies on physical copper wires to transmit voice calls. These wires are connected to a network of telephone lines that span across cities and regions. When a call is made using a copper wire landline service, the voice signal is converted into electrical signals and transmitted through the copper wires to the recipient's phone. The network infrastructure ensures that the connection is established and maintained throughout the duration of the call. Copper wire landline service has been a reliable and widely used means of communication for decades, offering clear and consistent call quality to users.
VoIP Landlines
Voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) landlines use your existing internet connection to allow you to make calls. This allows audio to be transmitted at the speed offered by your internet service provider (ISP). While VoIP services can be a good fit for most users, they are not an option for the tens of millions of people who don’t have high-speed internet access or who don’t have internet access of any kind. To get VoIP service, you’ll need to sign up through your ISP or a third-party company, then purchase a base and handset that work with your provider’s service.
Wireless landlines
Wireless landline service is a way of connecting to nearby cellular towers to make and receive phone calls without the need of a copper wire connection or dedicated high-speed internet access. A landline base receives the LTE signal from the tower and converts it into a format that the landline phone, which is connected to the base with a phone jack, can understand. The call data is then relayed to the landline phone, where it is converted into an audio signal for the user to hear. This setup allows users to make and receive calls using their traditional landline phone while taking advantage of the wireless capabilities offered by LTE signals. Wireless landlines provide the convenience and flexibility of wireless communication while still using a landline phone system.
With Community Phone, you’ll receive a landline phone base and a SIM card that will provide access to a nationwide LTE network via pre-existing cell towers. That way, you’ll be able to reliably make high-quality audio calls using a familiar, convenient device.
Who should get landline service?
While everyone’s needs are different, landlines provide crucial communication options for a wide range of scenarios.
Seniors
For many people over age 55, having a landline service is essential for ensuring reliable and straightforward communication. Landlines are often more user-friendly than modern smartphones, featuring larger buttons and clearer audio, which are especially beneficial for those with hearing or vision impairments.
The familiarity of landline phones provides comfort and ease of use for many people. And landlines are known for their reliability, functioning even during power outages, which is crucial for seniors to contact emergency services or family members in times of need.
Families and loved ones of senior citizens
Families with elderly members can greatly benefit from their loved ones having a landline service. It provides peace of mind knowing that there is a dependable way to contact them, especially in areas where cell service might be inconsistent.
Community Phone’s mobile app integration with its wireless landline service allows loved ones, caretakers, and other family members to easily check in with seniors. This reliable communication line is crucial during emergencies, providing families with reassurance about their loved ones' safety and well-being. This feature can also allow authorized users to monitor incoming and outgoing phone calls for family members who may be susceptible to scams and harassment from unknown callers.
Small business owners
For small business owners, a landline provides a professional and stable contact number that customers and clients can rely on, helping to build trust and credibility. The consistent and high-quality voice transmission of landlines is ideal for important business calls and conference meetings. Additionally, integrating landline service with office phone systems like PBX can streamline operations and improve customer service, ensuring that businesses remain connected and operational without relying solely on internet-based solutions.
People living in areas with limited internet service
For individuals living in areas with limited or unreliable internet service, a landline phone is a dependable communication tool. Landlines provide a consistent and clear connection that is not dependent on the quality or availability of internet service, and they are less affected by the geographical and infrastructural limitations of rural settings. This reliability is crucial for staying in touch with family, friends, and emergency services.
In situations where internet outages are common, a landline ensures that residents still have a way to communicate effectively and safely. Landlines can also be crucial for accessing telehealth services and other remote resources that are increasingly important in isolated areas.
The bottom line
In 2024, landline phones can be traditional copper wire landlines, wireless landlines utilizing LTE signals, or internet-based landlines utilizing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. Copper landlines offer reliable and clear communication, but are being phased out as phone companies prioritize more modern technology. Wireless landlines provide the flexibility of wireless communication and the reliability of landline and are a great option for people looking for a replacement for their traditional landline. Internet landlines leverage the power of the internet for communication and can be cost-effective for people already paying for high-speed internet. Choosing the right landline type for you depends on your needs and your area.