I have Verizon for the land line. In 2007 I had A T & T for long distance and Verizon for local phone service. We made very few long distance calls.

When Mom went into the nursing home I realized that I needed a less expensive long distance carrier. There were days when I called my aunt several times a day so.....the phone bill went out of sight. I called Verizon and I now have Unlimited calling.

I don't know what my options for phone service is now. If Cox came on my street I could have Cox as my phone service.

When I had a landline, there was a fee for long distance service; since I also had a cell phone, I dropped the landline long distance - I think it was about $5 a month for the access.  I do pay $4/month for international calling access, because my father lives in Jerusalem, and I call him every Sunday - otherwise I'd drop the access.  

I would get rid of my cable and get Netflix to see movies (it would be cheaper, and I don't mind waiting) but without a landline, my only options for internet are cable and satellite - and cable is cheaper and more reliable, based on what my neighbors who have satellite say.  And cable plus internet is about the same price as landline plus internet, with TV thrown in as well.