Do you have Xfinity (Comcast) phone service?

[disneysteve]

We recently upgraded our cable package to include phone service because it is actually cheaper to have it than to not have it. However, we aren't actually using it yet. We still have our traditional Verizon landline.

If you have it, do you like it? Does it work well? Is the sound quality good?

The one thing I'm curious about is how it actually works. How do you connect your existing phones to work over the cable service? I know I can plug a phone directly into the modem but what about all of the other phones in the house? How do they get hooked in?

If we switch over to Xfinity for our house phone, we will save $45/month by dropping the Verizon service, which would be a nice savings.

[HundredK]

We have it, and use it for our business. It works perfectly, no discernible difference from a traditional landline. The main base plugs into the cable modem, and then we have handsets that have bases that just plug into the wall.

[disneysteve]

The main base plugs into the cable modem, and then we have handsets that have bases that just plug into the wall.

So do we need to get all new telephones?

[Tabs]

My parents have this service. It's utilizes VOIP technology, but you can jack in and use your landline phone from the 70's if you want. I've tried to get her to upgrade to something that I think is better, but she is very comfortable using a landline, and really don't understand nor care what VOIP is, so long as she can dial out with a telephone. The end user experience is no different from what it used to be.

Naturally, if the internet goes out, so does the phone, whereas with traditional phone lines, that would not have been the case. It might be obvious, but I think it bears stating anyway....

[feh]

So do we need to get all new telephones?

No, not if you are even the least bit technically capable. You just need to run the RJ45 from the modem to the main phone trunk in your house (should be near where the old service entered the house). One connection for all phones in the house.

Regarding voice quality - VOIP has come a long way. Should sound just as good, if not better, than analog.

By the way - what is the charge with and without phone service? You could use a service like Vonage for $10/month, which just uses your internet connection.

[disneysteve]

No, not if you are even the least bit technically capable. You just need to run the RJ45 from the modem to the main phone trunk in your house (should be near where the old service entered the house).

By the way - what is the charge with and without phone service? You could use a service like Vonage for $10/month, which just uses your internet connection.

Well the modem is in the family room at one end of the house and the phone service comes into the basement at the opposite end of the house, so that would be a bit difficult. Plus the family room is built on a slab. It isn't over the basement so I can't just drop a line through the floor. I suppose I could get a pro to come in and do it for me. Otherwise, I guess we'd need new phones.

Next question with that in mind. The WiFi signal is rather weak in certain parts of the house. Does that mean we might not be able to use a phone in those rooms? That would be a pain.

As for the price, we were paying $145/month for cable and internet. We are now paying $119/month for cable, internet, and phone plus twice as many TV channels and faster internet service. So even if we don't use the phone service, we're saving $26/month.

[feh]

Well the modem is in the family room at one end of the house and the phone service comes into the basement at the opposite end of the house, so that would be a bit difficult. Plus the family room is built on a slab. It isn't over the basement so I can't just drop a line through the floor. I suppose I could get a pro to come in and do it for me. Otherwise, I guess we'd need new phones.

Next question with that in mind. The WiFi signal is rather weak in certain parts of the house. Does that mean we might not be able to use a phone in those rooms? That would be a pain.

As for the price, we were paying $145/month for cable and internet. We are now paying $119/month for cable, internet, and phone plus twice as many TV channels and faster internet service. So even if we don't use the phone service, we're saving $26/month.

Does the cable enter the house near where the phone enters the house? If yes, you could move the modem to the basement, then splice into the phone system.

I can't help you if you actually go the route of getting new phones - I've never done that, and I don't know what the options are.

[disneysteve]

Does the cable enter the house near where the phone enters the house?

That's a very good question. I'll have to check. Though if it does and I move the modem, I'd need a new cable from there to the family room TV and might have to reconfigure the cable that goes up to the bedroom as well.

[bjl584]

We have the Comcast Double Play Package.
It is cable and internet only. No home phone.
It was a better deal at the time I signed up.
I suppose Comcast figured out that people don't want a home phone that they aren't going to use just to save some money on cable.

[DaveInPgh]

We have the Comcast Double Play Package.
It is cable and internet only. No home phone.
It was a better deal at the time I signed up.
I suppose Comcast figured out that people don't want a home phone that they aren't going to use just to save some money on cable.

That is the package I have where my 12 month discount just expired.

It has been over a year since we got rid of home phone. Never missed it.

[Drake3287]

We canceled our ATT landline a year or so ago because all we got were telemarketers, anyone calling my wife or I called our cell phone anyway. It also was going to save use $30. a month which was a waste.

At the same time I noticed our TV/Internet (Comcast) provider was offering free landline phone service if we bundled it with our TV and Internet. I took the "free" phone service and simply turned off the ringer so we never know or hear it ring.

We simply use it for out going calls because I hate talking on a cell phone compared to a landline phone. As for being happy with it, so far so good. No real problems other then sometimes the phone won't hang up fast enough when I want to make a second call. I sometimes have to wait a minute or so before it gives me a dial tone again.

[sblatner]

We have a traditional A T & T landline with a corded phone for our home phone (since we live in earthquake country) and Comcast cable for our work phone. The Comcast cable line seems to cut out once a day after I have talked to someone for 5-8 minutes - I joke that it is their way to cut me off from talking too much but it is quite annoying. It usually comes back after five minutes.

When it is working, it is just like using a traditional hardwired line.

[disneysteve]

I tried to plug a phone into the cable modem and got nothing. No dial tone. Is there something else I need to do or can I not use a traditional phone?

[feh]

I tried to plug a phone into the cable modem and got nothing. No dial tone. Is there something else I need to do or can I not use a traditional phone?

Read the manual. Or call your provider for assistance.

I wouldn't expect a phone jack on a cable modem, but I'm not familiar with all devices.

[disneysteve]

I wouldn't expect a phone jack on a cable modem, but I'm not familiar with all devices.

The modem/router is for the cable, WiFi, and phone. It has a cable port, Ethernet ports, and phone jacks.