Dunno about the booster, but whatever one you get make sure you can return it if it doesn't work as expected.
As per me, I had an AT&T cell for 2 years after contract (I made sure to keep the same phone so I could cancel in a heart beat). Last month I canceled and bought a tracfone w/ double minutes and a one year card. I hardly ever make phone calls, so the 400*2 + 200 bonus minutes (1000) is far more than I will use in a year, and it only cost me 10 dollars for the phone and 100 a year for service. For those not making too many calls prepay is a good way to go, also with some of them (like Tracfone) they will use many different companies towers so I can get signal when others may not.
As per home phone, I looked into Ooma, but ended up just going with MagicJack as I have 2 computers that are on 24/7 so it makes sense cost wise.
OP: Do you own your own land? And if so, is it rather large? In that case cell companies will pay a lease to put a tower on your land. You would get pretty good reception then.
