Why you should still have a landline home phone
Cellphones have revolutionized how we connect, allowing us to keep in contact from seemingly anywhere at any time. However, despite the popularity of mobile phones, landline phones have come a long way and still deliver valuable services to households across the country.
From emergency responses to long-distance and international calls, this article will explore the benefits of home phone lines and why it's still a good idea to have one. And with Frontier Home Phone, you can enjoy crystal-clear connections and the peace of mind that comes with not worrying about dropped calls. Check internet plan availability or contact Frontier to learn more about phone plan options in your area to stay connected.
What is a landline phone?
A landline phone, or a fixed-line home phone, is a device that delivers phone calls by transmitting voice signals across a specialized conducting medium. Unlike cellphones that transmit voice signals using radio waves, landline phone services utilize fiber-optic cable or a metal wire to transmit voice signals. A permanent connection is established between two locations while connected to a fixed power source.
Landline phones can be corded or cordless. A corded landline is connected to the network provider's cabling through a wall jack. A simple cord connects the phone base and the receiver or handset. The great thing about having a corded landline is that it can work even when the power is out.
Conversely, with a cordless phone, the handset is connected wirelessly. In contrast, the phone base is connected through a wall jack to the cabling. Although both offer the same phone features, cordless phones offer more flexibility regarding movement while answering calls. However, a cordless phone will need to be charged using the phone base, meaning it won't work during a power outage. So, you may need a battery backup of some sort.
How landline phones work
A traditional landline or home phone system is comprised of three parts:
- Switchhook: This is for connecting or disconnecting the telephone from the network.
- Speaker (located in the earpiece): This is usually an 8-ohm speaker.
- Microphone (located in the mouthpiece): In the past, carbon granules compressed between two thin metal plates or diaphragm were used. However, in modern phones, this has been replaced by electronic microphones and amplifiers.
When you lift the handset, the switchhook connects you to the network. As a confirmation, you get a dial tone. As you dial a phone number and speak, your voice travels in small sound waves, causing air to vibrate. The sound energy generated is carried to the microphone by the vibrating air masses and causes the diaphragm to vibrate. The vibrating diaphragm then converts the sound energy from your voice into electrical energy that flows down the telephone line.
At the other end, as the electrical energy reaches the handset, it flows into the speaker. It's then immediately converted back into sound energy, its original form. Your voice is then recreated in the other person's ear. The reverse process occurs when the other person speaks. These processes play out very fast. With wires running in both directions, both users can speak and listen simultaneously.
Reasons to have a landline home phone
You might be wondering if landline phone services are still necessary. A home phone offers many benefits that can make it a very worthy investment. Some benefits include:
Emergency use
Emergencies happen, and when they do, they require a swift response. Whether you're dealing with a power outage or another type of emergency, you need a reliable way to reach out to emergency services.
Landline phone services can provide a way to connect with the appropriate authorities in many circumstances. Especially corded home phones since they are connected to dedicated power sources and are unaffected by power outages.
Additionally, it's easier to trace and determine your location when using a landline during emergency situations. With Frontier Home Phone, you'll get 911 calling capability and alarm system set-up.
Call quality
You can't always rely on cellphones to deliver quality calls. Many people in rural areas may even have trouble accessing quality cell or internet services, which can diminish call quality. Users may even get cut off the network entirely due to a poor cell signal.
Landlines offer more consistent call quality. By transmitting voice signals using wires or fiber-optic cables, there's less of an issue with dropped calls or spotty service. The quality of sound and clarity can especially be helpful for the hearing impaired.
Furthermore, unlike radio waves, fiber-optic cables aren't easily affected by bad weather conditions, like storms and heavy rains. So, you can enjoy crystal-clear calls with friends or family even in stormy weather.
Landline phones deliver more reliable and quality call services encompassing long-distance, three-way and conference calls. So, suppose you always experience poor call quality with your mobile phone. In that case, a landline can mean a significantly better and clearer sound without dropping calls.
Ease of use
The simplicity in the design of a home phone system makes for excellent ease of use. Distinct phone pads, buttons and separate screen components allow for easy dialing of phone numbers. Landline phones also typically have a curved shape, making it much easier to hold the phone between your ear and shoulder.
However, the simplicity of a landline phone doesn't compromise on functionality, as many home phone systems come with popular calling features like call blocking, call waiting, call forwarding and caller ID. In addition, you can activate a call block for robocalls or hide your phone number to make anonymous calls.
Convenience
Although cellphones are portable, carrying them around to avoid missing incoming calls isn't always fun. In addition, phone mishaps can happen. For instance, your cellphone may fall into the toilet or slip from your pockets. Pocket dialing is also a regular occurrence and an annoying one, for that matter.
A home phone system can save you the stress of having to carry a mobile phone around the house. For even better accessibility, you can plug in multiple home phone extension sockets in strategic locations around your home. That way, you won't miss any incoming calls. And when you're not at home, you can have your home phone system direct incoming calls to a voicemail system.
Affordability
Another feature that sets landline home phones apart from cellphones is the low cost of activation and usage.
In fact, with certain Frontier Home Phone plans, you can get unlimited nationwide calling and long-distance calling. Frontier also offers a Price Protection Plan guaranteeing a great price, so you never have to worry about overage charges.
Discover landline home phone options from Frontier
Nothing beats a quality phone conversation, whether talking to friends, family or colleagues. That's why dropped calls, or a poor network connection can be a real snag. Fortunately, you don't have to worry about such issues with Frontier's landline home phone options.
Frontier Home Phone offers reliable and affordable home phone service plans to help you stay connected. Whether you're calling a friend or relative down the street, across the country or in Canada or Mexico, we make sure you get clear phone calls and great pricing. In addition to our crystal-clear call quality, our phone services also offer popular features, like caller ID and call waiting.
Your safety is important to us. That's why we also offer 911 calling capability and alarm system set-up. And in the event of a power outage or emergency, our undisturbed copper wires keep you connected. See the home phone plans Frontier offers and contact us to check availability in your area.