When searching for residential telephone service in Washington, DC, it's not uncommon to research different local providers to find the best price, as well as the greatest customer service, telephone features, and service reliability. Consumers want good service for a fair price. Wirefly lets you compare the best home phone service providers in Washington, DC. As a consumer, it's important to research the different types of residential phone service available in your area. Should you opt for low-price residential VoIP service (phone service that is connected to their reliable high speed internet connection), DSL phone service, traditional phone service, or wireless phone service? Read on to learn more about these modern phone services, as well as traditional phone services with great capabilities to get closer to a decision regarding which is the best option for your Washington, DC home.
| Provider | Plan Details | Monthly Rate* | |
|---|---|---|---|
.png&contenttype=png "Vonage logo") | RELIABLE HOME PHONE SERVICE - NO ANNUAL CONTRACT
* Additional taxes and fees apply. High speed internet required. | $9.99* | Details  16 Reviews |
.png&contenttype=png "Ooma") | HOME PHONE SERVICE - NO INTERNET REQUIRED
* Not including taxes/fees + One-time hardware cost of $99.99 | $19.95* | Details  200 Reviews |
 | VoIPo Home Phone
* $15.00/mo. or $6.21/mo. with 2 year contract | $6.21* | Details  58 Reviews |
.png&contenttype=png "1-VOIP") | HOME PHONE SERVICE
* $8.97 is monthly cost with 1-year prepay | $8.97* | Details 7 Reviews |
 | Axvoice
* $6.25/mo. 1-year prepay equals $75.00/year | $6.25* | Details 75 Reviews |
 | Traditional Landline Service
* Device contains a backup battery and is not designed to be run without electricity indefinitely. | $32.50* | Details  7 Reviews |
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VoIP is an acronym for Voice Over Internet Protocol. It is an advanced technology that enables people to use Internet Protocol (IP) networks in the transmission of voice and multimedia content. VoIP differs from Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) because it uses methodologies that deliver voice communication over enterprise local area networks, the internet, or wide area networks. A broadband connection enables customers in Washington, DC, to enjoy VoIP services anywhere. Therefore, frequent travelers and visitors can use VoIP without any troubles.
VoIP is also advantageous for clients in Washington, DC, because of customization. The use of VoIP allows the customers to choose an area code that they prefer without necessarily being there. In traditional telephone and wireless services, the client is not at liberty to choose their area code. The provider selects the area code of the customer depending on their geographical location. Therefore, VoIP avails the customers with other options that might be useful for business calls.
VoIP services have many beneficial features. The customers get to enjoy a wide variety of offers like call waiting, unlimited calling, caller ID, international calling, three-way calling, and call forwarding. Moreover, they get to enjoy call blocking and 24-hour customer service options. The cost of getting VoIP package with the fundamental features can be as low as $5.99 per month. For consumers who are concerned with price, the services are user-friendly and cost-effective.
This speedy type of phone service runs over copper lines. Although DSL phone service in Washington, DC operates somewhat similarly to traditional phone service, there are a few distinct differences. Many customers find that DSL service is faster and more convenient than traditional service. DSL service utilizes a modem in order to allow customers to connect to both the internet and a telephone line at the same time. Many DSL service providers offer bundle pricing for phone and internet service. Phone service alone can start as low as $19.95 a month, but can increase depending on the Internet plan. Many DSL providers require customers to commit to a contract in order to receive reduced pricing. While many find DSL plans quite affordable, they may not be the most budget-friendly option.
The main benefit choosing DSL service in Washington, DC over traditional phone service is that customers can access the Internet and phone at the same time. DSL is much faster than dial-up service which does not allow customers to use the phone and computer at once. On the hierarchy of phone service options, DSL is a few steps above a traditional landline.
Reliability is the biggest drawback of choosing DSL service. The reliability of DSL-based service varies widely by proximity to the provider. Many customers that live 18,000 feet or more away from their provider may not get service at all. In addition to that, DSL users may face busy lines if a large number of users are occupying the same service. This can present some difficulties when attempting to make holiday or emergency calls.
Traditional phone service has been used for many years, and it's frequently referred to as a landline. The network that a landline uses consists of many physical connections. Underground wires comprise a large portion of the network, and when telephone calls are made through a landline, they must pass through the network of wires. To use a traditional landline, a phone must be connected to a jack, and the connection is very quick and easy to make. Traditional phone service has been used for a long time, but many consumers are ditching the landline and choosing wireless alternatives.
The main benefit of using a landline service is the reliability. It's difficult to beat the reliability available from a landline service in Washington, DC. The stable connection provides excellent call quality but significantly reduces mobility. Consumers who decide to use a landline connection are restricted to making calls from within their home. The physical jack is hardwired into the home, and to make calls, the phone must be connected to the jack. Another issue with traditional phone service is the cost, which is significantly more expensive than most wireless options. The monthly cost of a landline service might be two to three times as expensive as competing wireless options.
Consumers enjoy the freedom of mobility offered by wireless phone services. Consumers have a choice between using a prepaid cell phone service or using one that bills for the service after use. Consumers in Washington, DC find themselves with an array of wireless providers to choose from. The variety of wireless phone plans may offer many different features including caller ID and voicemail. Using the cell phone as a mobile hotspot is one of the more advanced features wireless phone consumers in Washington, DC may want. If you'd like to find the best plan in your area, you can compare cell phone plans in Washington, DC with Wirefly's innovative comparison tool.
Consumers in Washington, DC find the primary benefit of a wireless phone service is the convenience of taking it with them wherever they go. But the flexibility of the wireless phone service comes with a price. Basic monthly wireless plans begin around $30. The price increased to around $50 per month when unlimited voice minutes is added to the wireless plan. Consumers wanting extra features like text and picture messaging can expect to pay more. Adding a mobile hotspot and data costs can increase the monthly wireless phone bill to over $100 for a service that may not be available in all areas. Compared to other phone services, wireless services have many benefits along with a higher cost.
