How to Choose the Best Phone System
These days, phone companies are tripping over each other to offer a
range of services, via traditional land lines, cellular phones or a broadband
Internet connection. There's no one-size-fits-all solution, so
choose a combination that's right for you.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Log your calls for a month or two to analyze your calling patterns, the number of minutes you use, and how often you call long distance.
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2
Consider your voice-mail needs. Voice mail that's included in your phone service usually costs a few extra dollars a month. For your home phone, an answering machine may be a more cost-effective option. Either way, you want to be able to access messages easily from any phone line--home, cell or external.
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3
Look for packages. Bundling long-distance and local phone service can be good deals if you make a lot of calls from one place, such as a home office. Find out if your broadband Internet provider can bundle telephone and Internet service.
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4
Go totally wireless if you're not home much and you don't need a fax, modem or other wire-dependent service. Make sure your provider has good coverage in both your home and workplace.
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5
Keep a wired phone around the house for emergencies. When the power goes out, cordless phones go dead because their bases are plugged in, but a wired phone will still work.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Cordless phones that use the 2.4-gigahertz frequency can interfere with wireless computer networks, and vice versa.
Shop around for a handset. Both Panasonic and V-Tech make nifty combination wired-and-wireless home phones: The wired unit plugs into your phone jack, and the second, wireless handset just requires electricity to work. This is useful when you can't get a wired phone extension where you need it (or in the event of a power outage).
