Harry
The major US providers (Cellular and Wireline) only WANT to sell you ($$) 'Bundles'. What they want to SELL, not what you NEED or WANT.
(I am not a 'always on the phone' user. I never used up my basic minutes in 10 years)
I was paying $50/mo for 2 LOCAL area (mine and spouse) lines with limited minutes and Peak restrictions (flip phone)
I now pay $200/Year for those 2 lines, no peak limits, all USA+ from <omitted as to not violate MR anti-SPAM rules>
My Wireline cost $30/mo. No extras (CID, VM, CW), No Long Distance, Local Only (and it was smaller area than that Cell)
My DSL (not from the phone company) was another $40/mo
I replaced those BOTH with a local provider. Faster DSL, CID, Nationwide + calling all for $50 (taxes and junk fees included)
To make thing totally ironic: I have Stock in both of those old providers and retired from a major telecommunications equipment manufacturer