What is a Landline Phone Line?

Last Update: August 9th, 2021

Definition

A landline phone is a phone line directly connected to the phone network. With today’s internet technology, some phone lines do not directly connect to the phone network; rather, they connect via the Internet.

Usage

A regular corded phone is a landline. So is a cordless phone that connects to the same phone jack as a regular corded phone.

Smartphones do not use landlines – they are a wireless device.

VoIP (Voice over IP) phones also do not use landlines – they carry phone signals over the internet.

Some phone providers put landline-style phone lines in that are based on a VoIP (Internet) protocol. They look and feel like landline phone lines. However, they may have the same incompatibilities with systems like fax that VoIP phones have.

Why use a landline phone line?

Fax machines prefer landline phone lines. They are the best way to connect a fax machine to the phone network.

Sources and more resources

• Wikipedia – Landline – Wikipedia’s entry on landline telephone lines.
• Dictionary.com – Landline – Definition and etymology of the word “landline.”