When searching for residential telephone service in Essex, MA, 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 Essex, MA. 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 Essex, MA home.
| Provider | Plan Details | Monthly Rate* | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 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 |
VoIP is short for voice over Internet protocol, and the technology effectively converts a person's voice into a digital signal. After the digital signal has been created, it's sent over a high-speed Internet connection, and the person on the other side of the connection hears the voice. A major advantage of using VoIP in Essex, MA is the ability to send and receive calls from almost anywhere. As long as there is a high-speed Internet connection, VoIP can transfer the data needed to communicate with through the service. Frequent travelers should enjoy the benefits of using VoIP while on the go.
The VoIP phone services in Essex, MA are also beneficial because they allow for customization. After choosing a traditional phone service, customers lose the option to change their area code. A traditional phone service provider will choose the area code for the customer, and he or she has almost no say in what area code is chosen. VoIP is different because it allows customers to change their area code, and they don't have to live in the location of the area code. Since VoIP offers this freedom and delivers many other useful features, it's a better choice for many customers.
Another major advantage of choosing VoIP is the wealth of features. By choosing a VoIP package in Essex, MA, customers can access call forwarding, call blocking, international calling, caller ID, call waiting and three-way calling. These are some of the useful features available with a VoIP package, but there are several other features available. Depending on the needs of the customer, a VoIP plan can be very cheap, and it's one of the best options for customers who're on a budget.
Quick DSL is the hallmark of phone service in Essex, MA. Like traditional phone service lines, DSL uses copper wire. However, the convenience and speed of DSL distinguish it from traditional phone lines. Most consumers use a telephone service that bundles Internet service with it. The DSL provider installs a modem in the customer's home or business. With a modem, the consumer has access to the telephone line and Internet connection at the same time.
Prices vary for DSL services. A base price of $19.95 per month is not uncommon. Prices can increase for more feature packed DSL plans. One way of capping costs is for consumers to sign a contract with DSL providers guaranteeing a set monthly price. There are lots of different DSL plans that can fit most budgets, but more features may stretch the budget.
Essex, MA DSL service offers the duality of using the Internet at the same time as using the telephone. This is markedly different from traditional services which tie up the residential phone. Consumers with dial-up services may find themselves frustrated when they need to use the telephone only to discover the computer using it. DSL service frees the telephone line allowing the consumer to use both at the same time. The must faster speed provided by DSL also makes it a better choice over traditional phone services.
DSL service does have some disadvantages. Reliability is not guaranteed. Consumer distance from the DSL provider affects how the service performs. Distances of further than 18,000 feet between the customer and the DSL provider may result in the consumer without any functional service. Periods of peak usage among the DSL provider's consumers may significantly affect the quality of the service. If a consumer relies on the service for emergencies or use during holiday periods, they may the lack of reliability disappointing.
Traditional home phone services are also known as landline services. They have been in the market for a very long time. A device that connects to a jack in the user's home and underground wires facilitate landline connections in Essex, MA. Traditional home phone services have been the most popular home service in the region. However, advancement in technology means that more people are moving towards wireless telephone connections and other options.
Traditional landline services have managed to stay in the market because they provide a stable connection and have high clarity. However, landline services have two major setbacks. They are immobile. Consumers can only use their landline service at one place. They cannot move it to their workplaces or the store. Traditional phone services are not cost-effective as other forms of residential home services. On average, landline services may cost approximately $49.99 per month.
Many consumers are shifting towards wireless home phone service. Many cell phone service providers offer wireless phone service on a pre- or post-paid basis. With an endless list of features and a long list of providers to choose from, wireless home phone customers enjoy a wide range of freedoms. For example, a wireless home phone customer in Essex, MA may be able to get additional features such as caller ID or voicemail. They can also take advantage of unique cell phone technologies such as the mobile hotspot. If you're interested in getting wireless cell service, you can compare cell phone plans in Essex, MA using Wirefly.
Wireless phone service in Essex, MA offers extreme flexibility. No matter where a customer is traveling, their wireless phone plan can go with them. The biggest disadvantage of wireless phone service is that it is generally more expensive than other options. These plans start at approximately $30 per month with limited calling time. For a wireless service plan with unlimited voice minutes, customers can expect to pay around $50 per month. Features such as picture messaging, text messaging and data may cost additional fees. Once additional features are added, wireless phone service can easily climb to nearly $100 a month. Additionally, wireless phone service may not be reliable in some places. While wireless service has some strong advantages, it is also one of the most expensive methods.
