The telecommunications landscape is evolving, with many providers phasing out copper-based phone lines. Many local phone providers now offer digital alternatives like fiber-based phone services, VoIP, and bundled internet packages.
Whether looking for a traditional local phone provider or a modern digital solution, the right service depends on reliability, pricing, and features that meet your needs. This guide explores the best local phone companies, their available plans, and what to consider when selecting the best option for your home or business.
Best Local Phone Companies in 2025
The Best Local Phone Companies Today
1. AT&T
AT&T is one of the best local phone providers in the US, offering nationwide coverage. It’s also one of the remaining telecom carriers that provide traditional analog phone services. However, AT&T recently released a statement that it will retire its copper lines by 2029.
As an alternative to copper wires, AT&T offers a phone plan that allows consumers to use a traditional phone handset plugged into an adapter and connected to a cellular network.
Available Plans:
- Traditional Home Phone – $55/monthly
- Complete Choice Enhanced – $69/monthly
- AT&T Phone Advanced – $45/month (unlimited nationwide calling); $50/month (unlimited international calling)
2. Verizon
Verizon is one of the US’s biggest local phone service providers, available in almost every major state. They’re systematically retiring their copper network and now provide voice phone plans running on their resilient fiber-optic network.
Verizon’s Fios Digital Voice is an advanced home phone service that guarantees crystal-clear call quality while utilizing VoIP technology. It lets you connect your traditional corded or cordless phone to a phone jack in your broadband modem.
Available Plans:
- Unlimited Plan – $44.99/month with unlimited domestic calls
- Per Minute Plan – $14.99 plus per minute of use charge for domestic calls
- World Plan 300 – $14.99 with 300 minutes for international calls
- World Plan 500 – $19.99 with 500 minutes for international calls
For businesses who still need a traditional phone line, Verizon offers Preferred Voice for $59/month.
3. Lumen Technologies (CenturyLink)
Lumen Technologies is the company behind CenturyLink, another popular local phone provider for residential and small businesses. Like AT&T and Verizon, Lumen is transitioning from traditional analog lines to more advanced digital solutions.
Currently, they still offer analog voice plans with unlimited local and nationwide calls, caller ID, voicemail, call waiting, and 3-way calling. These plans can be bundled with CenturyLink Internet for added savings.
Available Plans:
- Connected Voice Basic Plan – $30/monthly
- Connected Voice Professional Plan – $40/monthly
- Internet + Phone Bundle – starts at $95/month
4. Kinetic by Windstream
Windstream is behind Kinetic, one of the best local phone services offering bundled high-speed internet and voice plans. Kinetic Voice plan provides unlimited nationwide calling with 14 essential features, including caller ID, enhanced voicemail, call forwarding, and spam call alert.
Kinetic is also one of the few local phone providers that offers copper wire phone plans. However, it actively encourages consumers to transition to VoIP services.
Available Plans:
- Kinetic Voice – $50/month
- Kinetic Voice + Internet – $64.99/month
- Kinetic Gig Bundle – 1 or 2 Gig internet speeds combined with phone service. Pricing depends on Gig allocation.
5. Charter Communications (Spectrum)
Charter Communications is behind Spectrum, a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator present across 41 US states. Spectrum offers internet, TV, mobile, and voice services.
Spectrum Voice, the flagship home phone service, uses a VoIP system. It offers unlimited local and long-distance calls across the US, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and select destinations.
Available Plans:
- Spectrum Voice – $15/month
- Spectrum Business Voice – $19/month
- Spectrum Business (with Internet)- starts at $49.99/month
6. BT Group
BT Group is the UK’s leading local phone provider, operating the nation’s most extensive fixed and mobile networks. They offer a range of phone plans tailored to different calling needs.
Like phone providers in the US, the BT Group is retiring its copper network and switching to full fiber infrastructure. Any traditional local phone plans will be converted to a digital counterpart.
Available Plans:
- Pay As You Go – £28.40/month
- Unlimited Minutes – £46.40/month
- Fiber + Phone plans – starts at £33.99/month
Learn more: Openreach Copper Switch Off Updates
7. Virgin Media O2
Virgin Media O2 is a UK-based telecommunications company formed in 2021 from the merger of Virgin Media and O2. It provides reliable and flexible mobile plans, internet bundles, and traditional analog phone services.
Available Plans:
- Weekend Chatter – £19/month (line rental)
- Evening and Weekend Chatter – £24/month
- Anytime Chatter – £29/month
- Fiber Broadband + Virgin Phone – starts at £28/month
8. TalkTalk
TalkTalk is a UK-based connectivity provider offering residential and business customers broadband, television, and voice services. The company emphasizes providing simple, affordable, reliable, and fair connectivity solutions.
TalkTalk doesn’t offer standalone local phone plans. Instead, you can get basic line rental with pay-as-you-go calls.
Available Plans:
- Fibre 65 – starts at £28/month
- Business Full Fiber 300 – starts at £33.95/month
- Business Broadband – starts at £16.45/month
Key Factors in Evaluating Local Phone Companies
When choosing a local phone company, you should ensure you get reliable service and the features that best meet your needs.
- Service availability: Not all providers operate in every area, so checking coverage in your location is essential. Urban areas typically have multiple options, while rural areas may have limited choices.
- Plan options and pricing: Compare the types of plans available, including local phone-only, bundled services (internet, TV, mobile), and VoIP options. Look at pricing structures, hidden fees, and contract requirements.
- Call Features and Add-ons: Check for features such as voicemail, call waiting, caller ID, call forwarding, and international calling options. Some providers offer unlimited local and long-distance calls, while others charge per-minute fees.
- Technology Used: Determine if the provider offers traditional copper lines, digital (VoIP) services, or fiber-based phone lines. Copper lines work during power outages, while VoIP requires an internet connection.
- Scalability and Flexibility: If you’re a business, check if the provider offers options to add more lines, integrate with office systems, or support remote work.
- Customer Support and Reliability: Research customer reviews on service quality, reliability, and customer support. Look for providers with 24/7 assistance, especially if you rely on the phone for business or emergencies.
Why You Should Consider Choosing A Digital Alternative
With traditional local phone services being phased out, digital alternatives like VoIP and fiber-based phone services offer significant advantages. These modern solutions provide better cost efficiency, enhanced features, and greater flexibility, making them a smart choice for homes and businesses.
- Affordability: Unlike traditional analog phones, which require costly infrastructure and maintenance, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) allows calls to be made over the Internet, reducing expenses for local and international calls.
- Added features: Many services also offer advanced features such as voicemail-to-email, digital fax, call forwarding, and video calling—capabilities that local phones lack.
- Reliability: While older copper-based phone lines depend on physical connections that degrade over time, digital services leverage high-speed internet and fiber networks to deliver clearer audio and uninterrupted connectivity.
- Scalability: For businesses, digital phone systems can easily scale with growth, supporting remote work and multiple locations without needing expensive hardware upgrades.
As providers continue transitioning away from copper-based networks, now is the best time to explore digital phone alternatives. Whether for personal or business use, switching to a digital solution ensures long-term reliability, cost savings, and access to modern communication features.
