RALEIGH – Home phones passé? Think again.

Raleigh-based Republic Wireless has launched a new service called “Extend Home” that gives the option of extending mobile phone numbers to traditional home handsets – at no additional cost.

The result: customers can make and receive calls on the home phone – with their same mobile phone number – even if their cell phone is turned off, lost, broken or the battery has run out.

“Our research shows that people like having additional phones around the house and also being able to have a ‘digital detox’ from their cell phone screen,” said Republic Wireless’ general manager John Barbacci, in announcing the service today.

“As more people join the wave of cord-cutting their landline phone service, we wanted to develop a product that would help ease that transition and maintain the benefits of having a home phone.”

Source: Republic Wireless

He argues it also saves money – around $360 per year, to be exact.

It is estimated around 40 percent of US households still have home phone service, costing between $15 and $30 per month.

That would be eliminated under Republic Wireless’ plan, he said.

There is no monthly fee. If you choose, you can sign up for service from Republic with plans for service starting at $12 a month.

However, the Extend Home service requires a $49 kit with adapter device, cords, and a SIM card for Republic Wireless cell phone service. A SIM card, or subscriber identity module, is an integrated circuit that is intended to securely store the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number.

 

 

Extend Home device

How it works

Republic Wireless cell phone customers attach the adapter to their home broadband, plug a home phone into the adapter, and it will network with any other home phones in the set.

Non-members can use the included SIM card to activate Republic cell phone service.

The combination of Extend Home and a Republic Wireless service plan includes:

  • Unlimited calls to the US and Canada with no additional monthly service fees
  • Make calls with your cell phone or home phone and Caller ID shows as your Republic number
  • 911 emergency calling
  • Access voicemail from your cell phone or home phones
  • Extends exclusive spam call-blocking features to your home phone

“Making and receiving calls from any phone becomes seamless. If you are charging your cell phone, lose it, or leave it in the car, no worries,” said Republic’s Extend Home product engineer Jesse Stimpson. “You can make and receive calls on your home phone, and your cell number will still appear on the other person’s phone. You can even call your own number when you are away from home, and your kids can answer on the home phone. Plus Republic has exclusive spam-blocking  that extends to your home phone.”

Originally launched as a division of Bandwidth in 2011, Republic eventually spun out with a $30 million cash infusion in 2016.

The startup pioneered the concept of Wi-Fi calling, which saves users money since callers don’t have to utilize cellular networks at all times.

The company has been recognized as a top carrier choice by Consumer Reports; best basic plan by Money magazine and for excellence in customer service by PC Magazine.

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