in Phantoms (1998) we discover the phones are out of order when Lisa and Jennifer find the maid, dead on the floor. When the girls head to the police station, it's confirmed the phone are not working.
But, there is a scene during the girl's walk to the police station, right after they leave Jennifer's house where the camera is inside of a building (not sure if it was a house or a shop) showing the two walking past the window.
In this very short scene, the phone is ringing in the building. Why? What is the purpose? We later find out that the ancient evil can control the communications so what does it mean? Was it simply a hint for the audience or just to add a creep factor?