Home Phone Connect from Verizon Wireless Gives You a Home Phone Wherever You Go

As a member of the Verizon Wireless Insider team, I get the opportunity to learn about and experience new products from Verizon Wireless. The first time I heard about Home Phone Connect, I was utterly confused. I think I asked them to explain it to me in several different ways. Luckily, I get it now, and can explain it to you!

Home Phone Connect is a device that allows you to plug in a corded or cordless telephone for use over a mobile network. The device itself is semi-portable. It’s small and can run on a battery back-up, but is designed to be plugged into a wall outlet for regular use. You can port over your existing home number or create a new line, and it supports most of the features people have come to expect such as Caller ID, 3-way calling, voicemail, E911, and call waiting. It basically allows to use a regular phone wherever you can get get mobile service.

This type of device doesn’t make sense for everyone; it’s certainly easier to just get a cell phone for individual use. But I can see some situations where it would shine. If you spend part of the year in a vacation home, this is a nice solution for always having your “home phone” with you. I know I like having a stable home number that people can call to reach our house rather than trying to figure out who is at home. And it’s useful to have a backup phone in case cell phone batteries die or the phones are lost/misplaced/broken. I can also see this being put to good use in a business setting where there are multiple offices. If you spend Tuesdays and Thursdays on one site and the rest of the week on another, this makes it easier for people to catch you without giving out your cell phone to all of your customers. This also has some perks for those who find it easier to use a larger phone with big buttons because you can choose an appropriate phone system for your needs.

As with any technology, Home Phone Connect does have some limitations. Since it’s a mobile device, it will only work in areas where there is Verizon Wireless mobile coverage. I thought the sound was fairly clear, but still not quite as good as a regular landline. Also, Home Phone Connect may not be compatible with other phone-related technologies, such as home security systems, fax machines, DVRs, credit card machines, and medical alert services.

Home Phone Connect is available for free with a 2-year contract from Verizon Wireless. The cost for service varies: $9.99 a month as an added line to a Family Share Plan, $19.99 for an unlimited single-line stand-alone service, $20.00 on the ShareEverything plan. If you don’t want to commit to a contract, the Home Phone Connect device is $99.99.

Disclosure: I received a device and a few months of service to facilitate this review. As a member of the Verizon Wireless Insider Team, I get access to Verizon Wireless products, as well as special opportunities. There is no additional compensation.

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