Question by Bushrah Abdur-rahman: How do I add another phone-line to my house and is it expensive?
I’m trying to start a home based business but I need a separate line to get started.Can anyone help??
Best answer:
Answer by joe r
if you want to add an additional line, you are going to have to determine what type of service that you want – land line, VoIP, or cable company phone line…
a landline will be the most expensive to get installed, depends on where you live, but for comparison sake it is about $ 125 for an installation of a landline in NYC – and you usually need to call at least 5 days before you want the line installed..
cable company phone service will be a little cheaper, usually installation costs in NYC are about $ 55 or so, but can usually be waived, and can normally be installed 2 or 3 days after you call..
VoIP services normally do not involve install costs, but some providers charge an equipment fee up front – while others will give you the equipment for free (usually in exchange for signing a contract)
if you are going to use a fax machine, or other dial-up type of service, then your only real options are either a landline or cable company phone line.. VoIP services will be cheaper, but you should have a reliable, high speed internet connection if you choose to use this type of service..
depending on how many lines of service you plan on installing, and what features you may want, then it would depend on what service i would recommend to you..
if you want an IVR system (“thank you for calling XYZ if you know your parties extension…”) or need multiple extensions or phones, then i would recommend a VoIP provider that offers hosted PBX – with either an e-fax provider or an additional landline or cable company line for a fax machine..
if you are only looking to install a single line, then i would recommend going with with either a cable company phone line, or a VoIP line..
EDIT- if this is a home based business and you really do not need another line of service, but just a separate phone number to distinguish business calls from personal calls, then I would recommend just getting a google voice number and set the incoming caller ID to your google voice number, so you know when a business call comes in… OR just get distinctive ringing from your current phone service provider, which will provide a different ringing pattern when someone calls your “business phone number”
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