Do I Need a Home Phone for Internet? | Execulink

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Those who experienced the Internet at its early stages remember the days of dial-up connections. This cut off access to your phone line, required endless patience for slow loading pages, and would stop functioning the moment somebody forgot about the internet and picked up the phone to make a call. Of course, the introduction of high-speed internet quickly put an end to dial-up connections.

Now, all modern computers, tablets, laptops, and even cell phones, connect to Wi-Fi through a DSL service or satellite internet, without the need for expensive plans through your phone company. The question remains for many DSL Internet users, “Do I need a home phone for internet?” Surprisingly, the answer is both yes and no.

Today, most home internet plans do not require an active calling plan. Cable, fibre internet, fixed wireless, and satellite service work independently of a landline. DSL is the exception because it uses telephone wiring, although you can often order it as internet-only service. This is the key distinction when comparing a landline and internet setup with phone service via internet.

Key Takeaways

• Most home internet services do not require an active home phone plan. Cable, fibre, fixed wireless, and satellite internet operate independently of a landline.
• DSL uses existing telephone wiring, but you may be able to get DSL internet without paying for home phone calling through an internet-only setup.
• Your address determines which internet options are available, so compare connection types before choosing DSL, cable, fibre, fixed wireless, or satellite.
• A home phone can still be useful for households that want a dedicated number, a corded phone, or home phone and internet services from one provider.
• Compare home internet plans based on speed, data limits, equipment, support, and total monthly cost rather than choosing a service based on connection type alone.

DSL Internet and How it Works

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) internet requires the use of a phone line to access the internet. This makes it crucial to have a phone jack installed in your home, even if you don’t plan on hooking the phone up to a calling service. This line delivers a connection to your modem, which in turn transmits the internet to a router, allowing the signal to be captured via mobile devices through Wi-Fi.

There are two ways to install DSL, depending on whether you are using the phone lines in your home or not. The first is to install a device called a splitter. This allows you to split the signal coming into your home between the telephone and the internet connection. The second, called naked DSL, avoids the splitter by only hooking up the internet, and not home phone service, through the phone jack.

One of the great things about the DSL phone jack setup is that most homes come with the phone line pre-installed. Older homes, especially, required the phone jack to call in and out. Modern homes being built new don’t have jacks and require installation to achieve a DSL connection.

The search term “telephone wifi” usually refers to internet delivered through the phone wiring already in the home. The phone jack carries the DSL signal, while the router creates the Wi-Fi network. You can have landline phone and internet service on the same wiring, or use the line for internet without paying for home phone calling.

Benefits to DSL Internet Services

There are many internet connections, including Fibre, Satellite internet, Cable internet, Wireless broadband, and of course, DSL. Choosing which service to use takes thoughtful consideration and also depends highly on which service you qualify for in your area.  Some major benefits of DSL Internet include:

• – DSL is a very fast internet service. Not the fastest, but can support most small to mid-sized families.
• – In offices, DSL internet allows for long-distance phone calls while simultaneously surfing the web.
• – Those who choose not to hook up a traditional home phone service can use a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service to place calls through the internet.
• – Many home and business owners don’t require a special hookup because most buildings have phone jacks already.
• – DSL connections can handle large quantities of data at a time due to high bandwidths.
• – Business bandwidth is guaranteed with no need to worry about sharing broadband, or other connection types.

These are a few of the reasons more customers are choosing DSL over alternative internet connection options. At Execulink, we provide our customers with a myriad of service opportunities, including landline phone plans, DSL internet, and security system options.

Availability should guide the choice. Internet providers may offer DSL in areas where cable or fibre is unavailable, while other households can choose high speed internet through several connection types. Compare upload and download speeds, data limits, equipment, and the total monthly cost instead of assuming one technology fits every address.

Benefits to Home Phone Service

While most Canadians are choosing mobile phones over traditional home phone lines, our company offers landline phone plans and bundles. We know that with access to the Internet, VoIP also makes it easy to contact friends and family without a house phone. However, for businesses and homeowners alike, there are still many benefits to installing a home phone line. These include:

• – A basic corded phone lets you make and receive calls even when the power goes.
• – Landline phones (corded phones) don’t require charging.
• – Home phone lines don’t drop calls.
• – A landline phone can be used in tandem with DSL internet.
• – Unlike mobile devices, landline phones can’t be hacked or download a virus.

Mobile phones have become a prominent and lasting part of modern life at home and in business. The combination of a mobile line and home phone still outweigh those of a mobile phone alone if:

• – You have small children at home who may need to be left in the care of a babysitter.
• – You have children who are old enough to be home alone but not old enough for a mobile phone of their own.
• – You have a buzzer for your front door connected to a phone line and don’t want to be bothered with it at work.
• – You receive important calls at home that could be put in jeopardy if the call should drop.

There are many reasons home phones still make the cut for many Canadians. If you’re wondering about home phone services and want to know more about plans and bundles, Execulink can help.

A home phone and internet combination may make sense when you want one provider and one bill. Before choosing house phone and internet packages or home telephone and internet bundles, check what happens during a power outage, which calling features are included, and if the package changes the internet price. Some unlimited internet plans may be available with or without home phone service.

Landlines and DSL for Businesses

The term home phone tends to imply that the system is intended for use in a residential area. However, most businesses still choose to employ the use of both mobile and landline phones alongside DSL for maximum efficiency and productivity.

A landline connected to your business creates an air of permanence for staff and customers. It allows for multiple special tools and interoffice connections that may get lost on a mobile phone alone.

DSL paired with a landline creates the ability to utilize the internet at full capacity with fast download speeds and large bandwidth, while still taking and making calls over your landline connection.

For a business, keeping landline phone and internet services together may simplify support, but the connection type and calling system still need separate comparisons. A company can use DSL, cable, fibre, or another service for internet and choose a traditional line or VoIP for calls. The right setup depends on call volume, number of users, and service availability.

Learn More with Execulink

After all this you might still be wondering, “do I need a landline or not?” For the sole purpose of installing and using high-speed internet, you don’t need a landline phone plan, just the jack used to install the internet. After that, it’s up to you whether you’d like to invest in a home phone package.

Being a local Ontario company with more than 100 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Execulink strives to provide the best customer service at every step. One way we do this is by keeping our customers informed. If you have questions about landline phones, DSL internet, or any of our other services, don’t hesitate to contact us at 1-866-706-2050.

Start by checking which services are available at your address, then compare home internet plans based on the speed, usage, equipment, and support you need. Execulink offers home internet and home phone options in parts of Ontario, so you can choose internet on its own or ask about combining services where available.

Click here to see Execulink’s Home Internet options

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get internet without a home phone plan?

Usually. Cable, fibre internet, fixed wireless, and satellite internet do not require an active home phone plan. DSL uses telephone wiring, but some internet providers can supply it without calling service. Ask what equipment and line charges apply at your address before ordering.

Is phone service via internet the same as a landline?

No. A traditional landline carries calls over a phone network. Phone service via internet, often called VoIP, sends calls through your internet connection and usually needs power, working internet equipment, and internet access. Confirm emergency calling, number transfer, and backup-power details with the provider.

What should I compare in house phone and internet packages?

Compare the total monthly price, internet speed, data allowance, calling features, equipment, installation, contract terms, and support. For home telephone and internet bundles, also ask if one service can continue when the other has an outage and if the bundle price changes after a promotion.