I switched my land line service over to Magic Jack a few years ago. It works over the internet but my computer doesn't need to be on. I kept the same earlier phone number. (If you cancelled a land line, your old number may still be available). It costs about $27 a YEAR if pay for 4 or 5 years at a time! Yes, I only have a phone bill about once every 4 or 5 YEARS! It's unlimited free local and long distance calls. Also free calls to anyone else in the WORLD that also has Magic Jack service! Plus free call waiting, free caller I.D., etc... Also, it does have a DIAL TONE! So you know it's working...
I have about 10 old landlines extension phones on it, kitchen, 2 in Living Room, each bedroom, family room, basement, 2 in garage... rotary dialing doesn't work, but can receive calls on older phones.
I also have a minutes cell phone since there are almost no pay phones that work any more while out on the road. It costs about $2.50/month, 4 months at a time for $10. I leave it off unless expecting a call and don't yack on it for a long time, just get quick messages through. I don't like calls while away from home, just let the landline answering machine take them.