Are you paying more for phone service then you’d like to be? Then, see if one of these seven strategies could help to lower your bill:

Switch to VoIP
VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a relatively new technology that allows you to make and receive calls over a broadband Internet connection. Providers include Vonage, SunRocket and a host of others, including many phone and cable companies.

Cost: Plans offering unlimited local and long distance range from $15-25 a month. Smaller, minute-based plans are also available; and start at $9.95 a month. To get started, you may also need to purchase a VoIP router, though many service providers offer a free router with sign-up.

Potential savings: Varies by person. To estimate your savings, subtract the monthly cost for VoIP from your current monthly phone charges.

Pros:

Calls to the United States and Canada included in the pricing
International call rates as low as 3-cents per minute
Cons:

Doesn’t work during a power outage unless you have a back-up battery system
VoIP may not be compatible with your local 911 system
Call quality may not be as good as it is on a traditional phone line
Bundle Your Services
Do you have cable, high-speed Internet and a landline or cellphone? If so, bundling all of your services with one provider could be your biggest source of savings.

Potential savings: $20 or more a month.

Pros:

Only one bill to pay
New customer rebates and introductory offers may make the deal even better
Cons:

You’ll probably be required to sign a contract
Many bundle offers include a low introductory rate, and a much higher rate thereafter
Taxes and other hidden fees may apply
Ditch Your Landline
Use your cell phone for all of your calls, and cancel your traditional phone service.

Potential savings: The cost of your current landline plan: local and long-distance.

Pros:

One less bill to pay
The ability to answer all of your calls on the go
Cons:

If your cell plan doesn’t include unlimited minutes, you could accrue overage charges
911 service for cell phones isn’t available in all areas
Forget to charge your battery, and you’re temporarily off the grid
Call quality may not be as good as it is on a traditional phone line
Cancel the Extras
If your phone service comes packaged with a bunch of features – call waiting, caller ID, etc. – you may save money by unbundling your services and shopping a la carte. Contact your service provider to find out how much a basic, no-frills phone line costs. Then, add on just the features that you need (generally about $5 each).

Potential savings: Varies, but a basic phone line usually runs around $22 a month (taxes and fees included).

Pros:

You only pay for what you want
You get to customize your phone services
Cons:

Less bells and whistlesjoozone.com