Residential Phone Service - Don't Pay More Than You Should

It's a fact. Your residential phone service is too expensive. If you're in any doubt, just consider that some people are paying half what you're paying for your residential phone service now, and getting free Internet to boot!

How do they manage that? They simply find an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that can bundle their broadband Internet connection and their residential phone service into a single - significantly cheaper - deal. An ISP like Virgin Broadband, for example!

So what's this bundling - or more accurately, broadband bundling - all about? Well, it's about using a single technology (either the old copper wires, or even better the 3G mobile network) for both voice (phone calls) and data (emails, web browing, downloading, etc.), and offering both as a single package deal. Because it's single-source technology you can make calls whilst still surfing the net at broadband speeds - and it can all be handled through a single company. So instead of paying for your residential phone service and broadband Internet access separately (quite often through two different companies), with a broadband and home phone bundle, you're only paying one provider for one connection.

And the difference in price is very significant. In fact, some customers may find their broadband bundle costs about the same as their existing phone bill, alone, and less than their current Internet and home phone costs combined.

Of course, you need to remember that not all broadband / residential phone service bundles are created equal. In particular, you should think about the types of calls included in the plan and any hidden extras like voicemail. Virgin Wireless Broadband uses the Optus 3G mobile network with HSDPA technology. This means voice calls will sound identical to regular Optus 3G mobile calls, and that the infrastructure is backed by Optus' extensive resources and commitment to Australian telecommunications.