Home phone service providers in Illinois

How to pick the best home phone service provider

Updated September 29, 2024

1. Coverage: It's essential to check coverage maps to ensure that the provider has reliable signal strength in your area. This will guarantee good call quality with clear and uninterrupted calls.
2. Plan flexibility: When selecting a phone service provider, consider your calling habits and choose a plan that caters to your needs. If you make frequent long-distance or international calls, then look for providers that include that or offer affordable rates. On the other hand, if you mostly make local calls, then prioritize plans with unlimited calls within the US. Additionally, some providers offer plans with features like call waiting, voicemail, and caller ID, which may be important to you, depending on your requirements.
3. Pricing: When looking for landline services, it's important to compare pricing to ensure that you're getting a good deal. Many major providers only offer a telephone service when bundled with TV or Internet. But there's no need to bundle your home phone services and pay over the top for features you don't want.
4. Contracts: Signing up for long-term contracts may mean you have to pay early termination fees if you decide to switch providers, which can be quite costly. With short-term or contract-free plans, you have the freedom to switch providers whenever you want without incurring any additional fees.
5. Advanced features: Look for features such as voicemail, call waiting, caller ID, and 3-way calling that can enhance your calling experience. Voicemail allows you to receive messages when you're unavailable, while call waiting notifies you of incoming calls when you're on another call. Caller ID helps identify the person calling, and 3-way calling enables you to speak with multiple people at once.
6. Customer service: When choosing a product or service, it's important to look for good customer service to ensure that you'll receive prompt assistance when needed. Excellent customer service can make all the difference in resolving issues and ensuring you feel valued.
7. Equipment costs: You may need to consider any equipment costs associated with the service. This may include purchasing a home phone base station, which can add to the overall expenses. Make sure that these costs fit within your budget before making a decision. However, many providers allow you to bring your own cordless phone, which can help save on equipment costs. Keep in mind that certain types of phones may not be compatible with all home phone services, so it's worth checking with the provider beforehand.
8. International calling plans: If you have loved ones residing outside the United States and your calling plan doesn't include international calls, it's advisable to check the rates for international destinations. Some service providers offer inclusive international calling features or add-ons that can help you save money on long-distance calls.
9. Bring your existing phone number: When switching to a new service provider, confirm if they allow the transfer of your existing home number. Not all providers offer this feature, so you may have to choose a new phone number if the option isn't available. However, many providers do offer number porting services, which can make the transition to a new provider seamless and hassle-free.

Compare landline phone providers by ZIP code to make sure you find the best deal.

Home phone service coverage map in Illinois

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The FCC collects coverage data, which only offers an approximate indication and doesn't account for indoor coverage. The actual speed and performance can vary depending on your location and device. The reception you experience is influenced by local conditions and elements like natural and artificial physical features in your area.

Compare the best home phone plans

Provider	Minutes	Monthly Price
Community Phone	Unlimited	$39.99-49.99
Ooma	Unlimited	$0.00-11.99

Cheapest landline service for seniors in Illinois

Many landline providers offer discounts or special plans for seniors in Illinois. These plans may include lower monthly rates, free or discounted long-distance calls, caller ID, and other features that can meet the needs of seniors.

The Government's Lifeline program offers phone service discounts to eligible low-income customers, including seniors. The program is available in most states, and eligible customers can receive a discount on their landline or cell phone service.

Illinois home phone service FAQs

Recap: What is the best landline phone service in Illinois

The best landline service comes down to your needs but there are plenty of ways to save money on your home phone service.

Taking advantage of promotions, discounts, and deals, and cutting down on unnecessary features can help you cut costs. You can also bundle your landline service with cable tv service and high-speed internet.

Making sure to compare providers available in your area and check customer reviews to find the best home phone service provider for you.

Methodology: How we picked the home phone service in Illinois

The home phone providers we recommended have been researched and evaluated based on price, coverage, customer service, and additional features. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive view that balances cost and value, helping you find a plan that fits your needs and budget.

We did consider these other alternatives: Verizon, AT&T, Xfinity, Spectrum, Optimum but we discounted them because they all require you to bundle landline service with internet at a much higher cost.

The data within our coverage and speed data is sourced from the FCC. We also used data from OpenStreetMap and Mapbox technology.