Cell Phones

• Cell phone service is the most obvious and common replacement for landline service. Most people with a landline already have a cell phone, so going to a cell-phone-only model is a seamless transition and saves money over maintaining a landline and a cell phone.
  
  Cell phones come in a wide variety of makes and models. You can get a very basic phone or one that works more like a handheld computer. Your selection just depends on your needs. If you only make calls, a simple phone will work fine. If you want to search the Internet, you'll need something a little more complex.
  
  You can buy cell phones with pre-paid minutes and no contractual obligations or you can make a monthly payment for a set number of calling minutes each month. You can often save money on a phone if you sign a contract to stay with a particular cell phone provider for an agreed number of months. If you do enter into a contract, read the agreement carefully before signing on.
  
  When you buy a cell phone and arrange for cellular service, double check things like service areas (where you'll be able to use your phone), roaming charges (how much you'll be charged for using the phone out of designated areas) and long-distance charges.
  
  

Voice-Over-IP Services

• Voice-over-IP phone service works by making connections over the same broadband your computer uses for the Internet. Voice-over-IP service is typically cheaper than a regular landline and there are usually no additional costs for long-distance calls.
  
  Read through the service agreement carefully. Some services limit your calls to others on the same service. Look for a provider that allows you to use voice-over-IP to call anyone. Some voice-over-IP services require you to use a special phone, while others will work with standard phones connected to an adapter.
  
  

One Caveat

• Cell phones and voice-over-IP services can save you money by allowing you to eliminate your landline phone service altogether, but there is one more thing to consider before making the switch. Emergency 911 calls are handled differently by voice-over-IP and cell phone services. When you call 911 on a landline, emergency officials are able to trace your location and send help even if you aren't able to say where you are. On voice-over-IP and cell phones, emergency officials may have a difficult time pinpointing your location. Steps are being taken to make 911 more effective at locating people using cell phones and voice-over-IP phones, but currently there's still a way to go.