Tech Tip #35 Home Phone Isn’t Dead

The Home Phone Isn’t Dead. It Just Got an Upgrade.

By Olivia Wells, Marketer at LigTel

Most of us use our cell phones for just about everything.

Calling, texting, scrolling, checking email, taking pictures, setting reminders, looking up directions. It all lives on one little screen.

So it makes sense that fewer homes have a traditional landline than they used to.

According to the CDC, during the second half of 2024, 78.7% of adults and 86.9% of children lived in wireless-only households. That means most households no longer have a traditional landline phone at home. CDC

But here’s the interesting part.

Some families are starting to see the value of a home phone again.

A CNN Health article recently shared how some parents are bringing home phones back as a way for kids to call family and friends without needing their own cell phone. One parent described it as an “actual thrill” when the phone rings.

And honestly, that makes sense.

A home phone can give families another way to stay connected without adding another screen.

Home Phone Service Has Changed

Back in 2000, U.S. fixed phone subscriptions peaked at about 192.5 million. By 2024, that number had dropped to about 81.5 million, according to CEIC data reported by the World Bank. ISI

That does not mean home phone service disappeared.

It means the way people use phone service has changed.

Traditional phone lines are becoming less common, while mobile phones and internet-based phone services are now part of everyday life. The FCC reported that in June 2025, there were 15 million traditional switched-access phone lines, compared with 63 million interconnected VoIP subscriptions and 395 million mobile subscriptions. FCC Docs

So while the old home phone may look different today, the idea behind it is still useful.

That is where VoIP comes in.

What Is VoIP?

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol.

That simply means your phone service works through your internet connection instead of a traditional copper phone line.

With LigTel VoIP, most customers can have home phone service through their LigTel internet connection.

You still get a phone number people can call, but the service works in a more modern way.

Why Would Someone Still Want a Home Phone?

A home phone can still be helpful for everyday life.

It may be useful for families who want one shared household number, people who work from home, homes where cell service can be spotty, or anyone who wants another way to stay connected.

For some families, it can also give kids a simple way to call a parent, grandparent, neighbor, or trusted contact without needing their own smartphone.

It is not about going backward.

It is about having another simple way to stay connected.

A Simple Backup for Real Life

Cell phones are great, but they are not perfect.

Batteries die. Phones get misplaced. Service can be unreliable in certain areas. And sometimes, you may just want a phone that stays at home.

That is where VoIP can help.

The home phone is not dead.

It just got an upgrade.

Want to Learn More?

LigTel VoIP gives customers home phone service through their internet connection, where available. VoIP plans are $15/mo.

Give us a call and we can help you see what options are available for your home.

Sources: CDC/National Center for Health Statistics; CEIC / World Bank; FCC; CNN Health.

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