Why not dump that landline?  Here's reasons that I had for not dumping my landline, do they sound familiar to you?

Reason #1: People call us on that number.

Reason #2: It's a hassle to change. 

Reason #3: I use my landline for faxing, and have to be able to send and receive faxes.

Reason #4: I like picking up a phone anywhere in my house and being able to make or receive a call.  And I like my house phones.

Reason #5: It will cost a lot to change.

So here's my answers:

1) You can keep your number.

2) No it isn't a hassle, it's quite easy.

3) You can still send faxes, several options.

4) You can keep your home telephones, and use them just like you used to.

5) Would you believe under $100?  You'll cover that cost in 3 or 4 months (or less), by eliminating your local phone bill.

Assuming you have high speed internet, you can change (note - if you have DSL service there are steps you need to take FIRST to ensure you don't lose your DSL line in the process.  Cable internet customers, you can proceed. 

Here's the steps to follow:

1) Buy an inexpensive no-contract cell phone from AT&T or T-Mobile.  You shouldn't have to pay more than $15 for the phone.  I found an AT&T Go Phone for $4.99 when I did this. 

2) Purchase an Obi device - either the OBi110 or the OBi100, whichever is cheaper.  I bought a 110, it allows you to hookup your outside line for the time being.  Or, you can keep you outside line and use this solution to cut your long distance bill.  I've setup links through Amazon, just click on the product name and you can order it now, or later.

3) Setup a Google Voice account.  If you already have a Google Voice account, consider getting another one, because it's nice to keep it isolated from your main Google account.  Ensure that you can make, and receive calls, on your GV number.

4) Setup your OBi device to work with your GV account.  Directions are included, it's menu driven, and amazingly simple.

5) Setup Callcentric, or another provider, for E911 (that's enhanced 911) calls, as you can't get E911 through GV, and your landline is about to go away.  This costs $1.50 to setup and $1.50 a month.  Once complete, call the non-emergency number of your emergency dispatch center and ask them if you can test the system.  Then test it.

6) Now that you have GV and E911 working via the OBi device, it's time to dump your landline and port it to GV, which takes two steps.  First, via your new no-contract cell phone, make sure you have enough minutes to last a few days.  Some phones come with minutes, others don't and you have to add them.  Remember, you can answer a call, and immediately tell the caller you'll call them back to save those minutes, then call them on GV. 

7) Now that you have enough minutes on the cell phone account, contact the porting department and ask to port your line to the cell phone.  It will take anywhere from 1 - 3 days for this to complete. 

8) When it's complete, and tested both ways (inbound and outbound), go onto your GV account and port your former landline number (that's now on that cell phone) to your GV account.  Within 24 hours (mine was 24 hours exactly), you'll be ported and in business. 

The porting from your landline to your no contract cell phone should close your landline account, but follow-up to check on it.  Porting to Google Voice should also close your no contract cell phone account.