Assuming you have a broadband Internet connection, there are a bunch of VoIP providers such as Vonage that would be glad to hook you up.
I had Vonage for a little over a year. The phone was about on par with a cell phone. When the Internet gets crappy, so does your phone call quality.
I verified that I was un-hooked from the phone company outside, then simply plugged the line from the DTA into an un-used phone jack and all the phones in the house rang / had dial tone just like regular phone service.
Here is what i liked:
Way less taxes. $24.99 phone bill was $27.00 after taxes.
Unlimited local and long distance calling.
Virtual phone numbers. I live in PHX but had a virtual phone number in Michigan so family could call me like it's a local call.
Toll-free number - just like the virtual number only a 1-866 number and limited free minutes. I'd just call people back and that was free
.
Portable. Bring the DTA with when traveling. If you have a high speed internet connection, likely you'll be able to place and recieve calls like you are at home.
I could check my voicemail via any web browser and/or have my voicemail e-mailed to me as an MP3 attachment.
It worked with my home alarm.
It worked with my Tivo (barely).
I didn't like
10 digit dialing. Calling your neighbor or across the US, you always dial 10 digits.
800 numbers that locate you don't work (pizza delivery, flight weather service, etc). It sees wherever your provider's HQ is (Vonage was NJ).
Echo / studdering. You are at the mercy of the Internet for voice quality.
E911 - Basically they make no guarentee they will really provide 911 service. it's kind of best effort.
I'm sure I'll think of some more but that's the short list. Vonage isn't the cheapest provider but I think they are one of the better ones.
, 7 digit dialing works here. 911 thing not sure about. ok so far....gl
