US Cellular Wireless Home Phone Plans

US Cellular is releasing new home phone plans with a twist; the new plans will work not over established copper wire networks, but over the air on the USC CDMA cellular network. The new plans will cost $20 per month and start on June 7^th. This sounds pretty crazy at first: a home phone working over cellular, but there’s method to this madness.

Why it makes sense

With 3G and 4G networks essentially taking over the greater portion of wireless communication on cell phones, the old 2G networks aren’t seeing too much traffic. They’re still there, it’s just that we don’t need to use them unless the 3G and 4G networks become overloaded or if we travel out of range. There’s no real point in dismantling 2G networks just yet, as they’re still useful in a pinch. So, if they’re going to be sticking around, why not make good use out of them? A traditional home phone doesn’t use data; only voice. As such it’s the perfect device to function over the increasingly unpopulated 2G bands. A wireless-only company like US Cellular is more than capable of offering cheap home phone voice-only plans. In fact, Sprint and Verizon have already made similar moves in the past. Essentially the way it works is the carrier provides a small, modem-like device that can pick up and transmit 2G signals. The pre-existing home phones are then plugged in to this device. Conversations on the older home phone models are transferring to and from the CDMA signal allowing for voice communication. That’s it. Pretty simple, huh?

One small catch

There is one catch: the home phone wireless plans are voice only. They do not support fax machines, security systems, DVR services, credit card machines or medical alert services. If you require any of these services then you’re probably best sticking with a traditional phone line for now.