Home phone: how to get a landline over the Internet in Quebec

Many people still want a phone at home: a fixed number the whole family knows, a handset that rings in the kitchen, a line that doesn't depend on a cell phone battery. Today, that home line can run over your Internet connection. Here is how it works, what you need at home, what is included, what it costs, and how to keep your current number.

What is a home phone over the Internet?

It's a landline like before, with a phone number and a real handset, but the calls travel over your Internet connection instead of a separate phone line. This is called IP telephony, or VoIP. For the person calling or answering, nothing changes: you pick up, you dial, you talk.

At Club Internet, the line comes with a phone adapter that is supplied and preconfigured. You connect it to your modem or router, then plug your phone into it, and the line works. No new wiring in the house.

What you need at home

• An Internet connection. Ours or another provider's: the line works with both. So you don't have to change your Internet to get a home phone. If you are also looking for home Internet, our unlimited plans are available at addresses served by the cable network in Quebec.
• An ordinary phone. Your current handset, corded or cordless, plugs into the adapter. No need to buy a new one.
• A power outlet for the adapter, near the modem or router.

What is included in the line

All features are included, at no extra charge:

• Caller ID
• Voicemail
• Voicemail to email
• Call waiting
• Call forwarding
• Three-way calling
• Do not disturb
• Keep your number

Calls are unlimited anywhere in Canada, and toll-free numbers are open. The Canada and United States plan adds 250 minutes per month to the United States and 10 countries of the Americas.

How much does a home phone cost?

Two plans, per month or for the year, with no activation fee:

Prices before taxes. There is no contract and no term commitment: you leave whenever you want. The cases where fees may apply are explained in our cancellation policy.

To call farther, two options can be added as needed: Calls to the Americas ($5 per month: 250 minutes to the United States and 10 countries of the Americas, already included in the Canada and United States plan) and World Calls ($10 per month: 250 minutes to 65 countries). The list of countries is on the Phone page.

Keeping your phone number

Yes, you can keep your current number: that is number porting. It costs $15 per number, one time only, and takes at least 6 business days. One rule to follow: keep your old service active until we confirm that the transfer is done. Would you rather have a new number? It's free.

Installing the phone yourself

1. Connect the adapter to your modem or router.
2. Plug your phone into the adapter.
3. Plug the adapter into the power outlet and let it start up.
4. Pick up the handset: the line works.

Three handy codes for everyday use: *98 to listen to your messages, *2 to put a call on hold or take a second call, *3 for three-way calling. If you have any trouble, call us at 514 449-2582 or 450 341-2582: we guide you over the phone.

Two things to know before ordering

• During an Internet or power outage, the line does not work: calls do not go through until the connection is back. Keep a cell phone for emergencies.
• 9-1-1 works from the address on your file. If you move, let us know so we can update it.

Need more than one line?

An additional phone number on the same account costs $10 per month. And if you receive text messages on your home number, the text message forwarding option ($2 per month) sends them to your cell phone.

How to order

Choose your plan on the home phone page, then place your order online. A question first? Write to us or drop by one of our offices, in Montréal or Varennes, Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. And if you also want unlimited Internet at home, read why switch to unlimited home Internet.