There are lots of reasons you may need to to set up a landline phone but be a little rusty on the process. Maybe you’ve had your landline for years but your provider is getting out of the landline game. Or maybe you’ve only ever used cellphones, but now you need a landline phone for your business. Or maybe you’re helping your aunt move to a new apartment, and you know she’ll need a landline. All these reasons and more are why we created this guide for people new to landline setups.
This guide will teach you how to set up your landline phone, how to set up a landline voicemail, and how to get a phone number for your landline. You can use these steps whether you're a business owner or setting up a home phone. Let's get started.
How to set up a landline phone in three steps
Setting up a landline phone involves these three simple steps:
- Choosing and paying a landline phone service provider
- Plugging your phone into the telephone jack, modem, or wireless box provided by your phone service provider, or another approved device.
- Turning on the phone and making your first call.
In this way, telephones are no different from cellphones. You need to pay for the service, be recognized by the service provider, and power on the phone to make calls.
Of course, If you're still looking for a landline provider, you can see if Community Phone offers coverage in your area.
Step 1: Choose your landline type
These days, landline phones come in three different forms, each with their own availability and features
Internet landlines use VoIP (Voice-Over Internet Protocol ) to connect calls over the internet. Wireless landline phones connect to cell towers, transmitting the digital signal and converting it to clear audio. Traditional copper landlines use copper wires to transmit audio signals. Copper wire is also called telephone wire and can go by a few other names, including coaxial or RJ-11, 12, 14, or 25. If you hear a technician refer to these terms, they're talking about phone cable.
Each landline type allows you to use a traditional landline phone, but they all have different pros and cons. Read more about internet landlines, wireless landlines, and copper landlines.
Step 2: Connect your equipment
Knowing your phone and cable helps you understand how exactly to connect the equipment.
Connecting your copper landline phone: Under the traditional way of connecting your phone, you would connect your cable to a telephone jack. This is the standard wall outlet you plug a traditional phone into. With more advanced phones, you might need a telephone jack and a power outlet.
Connecting your internet landline phone: If you have a VoIP telephone, you'll need to plug your phone into a modem, router, or internet gateway. Positioning your phone near the gateway makes cable management easier.
Connecting your wireless landline phone: Wireless landline phones utilize a wireless landline box. This piece of equipment looks a little bit like a modem, but no internet connection is required. Instead, you plug the base into the power outlet, and then your phone into the base.
Step 3: Boot up your phone
Traditional and modern landline phones do not often require a detailed boot-up process. For most, you need to do is plug it in, turn it on, and you're set up. Your telephone service provider will automatically recognize you as a paying customer.
If you are having problems with your landline service, here are some troubleshooting steps:
- Check your connections: A loose phone cord or power adapter can cause potential connection issues
- Call your friends or family: Test your phone with one or two people to check for call quality. Checking phone calls with multiple people helps you better understand the source of any potential problems.
- Check outside: The access panel outside of your home might be damaged or have a loose cord on your phone port.
- Call your phone service provider: Check in to be sure your landline is activated. If it is, this is your opportunity to request a service technician.
- Cordless phones: Check to see if your wireless handset's battery is full. Also, be sure you’re close enough to the phone base to maintain a wireless connection.
Once your phone is set up, you can move on to your voicemail.
How to set up a landline voicemail
Setting up your voicemail might vary between providers but generally involves these steps:
- Dial a voicemail code (1,* 98, etc.) given to you by your phone service provider.
- Wait for the voice prompts
- Create a voicemail password
- When prompted (with a beep), record your voicemail
If you prefer not to have a voicemail, check the owner’s manual of your device. You can also choose to customize voicemail settings, so be sure to listen through all of the prompts and review the owner’s manual to understand your options.
How to get your landline number
Getting a number through your landline phone service is the same as getting a number through your cell phone. The steps vary if you want to transfer your number or get a new one.
To get a new number, you can contact your landline provider’s customer service team or sign up online.
To transfer your phone number from the old to the new provider, you’ll want to follow these steps:
- Contact your current phone service provider and let them know you want to transfer
- Either retrieve a letter of authorization or have them unlock your phone for the transfer (this varies depending on your provider)
- Contact your new phone service provider and let them know your phone is ready for the transfer.
Of course, you might have to put up with your original provider’s attempts to retain you. But, as long as you can get through that call, you’ll be ready to move your phone number to a new provider.
The bottom line
Setting up a landline phone might seem intimidating at first. After all, picking a provider and getting the right equipment for you can be daunting. This applies whether you’re just looking for a good home phone service or want something as a business owner.
If you’re looking for a landline provider, Community Phone might be your solution. Our wireless landlines use wireless towers and our landline base, and your phone to provide reliable phone service to people in 99% of the US. Our 30-second setup only requires one power outlet, and no technicians. To find out if Community Phone is the best landline for you, contact our team of specialists today.