Community Phone Aims to Cash in on Simple Landline Replacement

More than 20 million businesses have a landline phone as their main business number. Three-quarters of people over the age of 75 rely on a landline phone. And one-third of US households have a landline phone. As providers begin to decommission copper networks, startup Community Phone sees an opportunity to cash in by serving people who would prefer not to make any big changes. The company’s goal, Community Phone CEO and Founder James Graham said, is to “make it as easy as possible to let humans reach other humans.” The offering works over a cellular connection but works with an existing landline phone and doesn’t require internet connectivity. The company has agreements with multiple cellular providers and can provide service even in rural areas where people may think cellular doesn’t work, thanks to the company’s antenna design and because service isn’t mobile.