# Using broadband instead of a phone
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-broadband-instead-of-a-phone/217774
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [December 8, 2003, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-broadband-instead-of-a-phone/217774 "2003-12-08T21:48:04Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)
#### Post date: [December 8, 2003, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-broadband-instead-of-a-phone/217774/1 "2003-12-08T21:48:04Z")
[This](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=227230) thread got me thinking about abandoning my phone altogether and using broadband.
I do not have a cellular phone. The reason is i virtually never call anyone or recieve any calls.
I know i can make phone calls from my computer with software like net2phone however.
1. its awkward, i need some kind of ‘real phone’ attachment instead of speakers and a microphone
2. I cannot recieve incoming calls.
Is there any way i can switch my phone over to computer totally that is inexpensive? I think you can get a phone over the internet but it costs the same as a real phone and the only savings are on long distance (which i use about 3x a month).
Right now, due to the fact that i do not use the phone much, i have local service (for long distance i need a calling card) for $30 a month. I dont know if switching totally would cut that bill down any but i figure its worth brainstorming.
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### Author:  [@Toddly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toddly)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-broadband-instead-of-a-phone/217774/2 "2003-12-09T01:19:35Z")
I don’t think they will allow you to have just DSL service at your house without the phone service. You might want to check on that.
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### Author:  [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2003, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-broadband-instead-of-a-phone/217774/3 "2003-12-09T01:26:07Z")
i have cable.
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### Author:  [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2003, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-broadband-instead-of-a-phone/217774/4 "2003-12-09T01:35:22Z")
Here is one provider:
[http://www.vipernetworks.com/](http://www.vipernetworks.com/)
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### Author:  [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)
#### Post date: [December 9, 2003, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-broadband-instead-of-a-phone/217774/5 "2003-12-09T02:46:42Z")
> **[Vonage Business](https://www.vonage.com/)**
>
> Vonage offers flexible and scalable voice, messaging, video and data capabilities across Unified Communications, Contact Centers and Communications APIs.