Cellular home phone: keep your house phone without a landline

A cellular home phone lets you keep using a regular house phone even after your landline is gone. Instead of copper wires, calls go over a cell network. You plug your phone into a small box, and it works like before.

How it works

Cellular home phone base: a box with a SIM card that connects to a cell network. Plug your house phone into it. Phone companies sell these as a home phone plan, for example Verizon Home Phone Connect. See cellular home phone bases on Amazon.

Cell phone to landline adapter: a box that pairs with your own cell phone by Bluetooth, so your house phones ring when your cell phone rings. No separate plan needed, but your cell phone has to be nearby and charged. See cell phone to landline adapters on Amazon.

Which one is right for you?

Choose a cellular base if you want a home number that works whether or not anyone's cell phone is home. Choose an adapter if you already have a cell phone and just want to answer calls on the bigger, easier house phones.

What it costs

An adapter is a one-time purchase, often under $100. A cellular base usually comes with a monthly plan from a phone company. Ask for the monthly price, any equipment fee, and whether you can keep your current number.

Things to check before you buy

Cell signal at your home: if your cell phone has weak signal indoors, a cellular base will too.

Power: the box needs electricity. Look for one with a backup battery, and keep a charged cell phone in the house.

Medical alerts and alarms: many older systems don't work reliably through these boxes. Test them, or ask the company about a cellular model.

911: make sure your home address is registered for 911 calls on the new service.

This site is independent and not affiliated with any phone company.