Broadband and Landline Deals: Compare the Best Options Before the 2027 Switch-Off
With the UK's old copper phone network switching off by January 2027, now is the time to compare your broadband and landline options rather than simply being moved onto whatever your provider offers next. Discover how separate suppliers and a VoIP home phone can protect you from scam calls and maximise your savings.
If you're looking for the best broadband and landline deals, you're in the right place! Many providers bundle broadband and landline services together - in fact, it's become the norm. But is that really the best option for you? In this guide, we'll break down the pros and cons of bundling services versus keeping them separate, compare popular providers, and help you find the best deal for your needs.
For a side-by-side comparison of digital landline providers (BT, EE, Sky, Vodafone and more), see our best digital landline UK guide.
Switching to Phonely? Move early to beat the switch-off rush
As the UK's copper network is retired ahead of the January 2027 switch-off, more households are moving their landline every month. Transferring your existing number to Phonely is free and usually takes only a few working days, but it is smoother the earlier you do it, so there is no need to wait until the deadline is looming.
Should you bundle or separate your broadband and landline services?
Cost savings
One of the biggest misconceptions is that bundling broadband and landline services always saves you money. While providers often advertise bundles as ‘cheaper,’ in many cases, separating your services can actually reduce your costs.
For example:
- Some broadband-only providers offer lower rates when you don't need a landline
- Standalone landline services can often be cheaper than those included in broadband bundles, which are often on a PAYG call tariff
- You have the freedom to switch each service separately, taking advantage of the best individual deals
Flexibility & customisation
With a bundled package, you're often stuck with whatever deal the provider is offering—even if it doesn't quite suit your needs. When you look closely, you may see that you're paying for features that you do not need or will never use. When you separate your broadband and landline, you can:
- Choose the best broadband speeds available in your area
- Pick a landline provider that offers unlimited calls or low rates for the type of calls you make
- Upgrade or downgrade each service separately without affecting the other
- Secure shorter-term contracts
- Pick the features that you want at a price you can afford
Service reliability
Bundled service might seem convenient, after all, you'll only need to manage one account. However, keeping your broadband and landline services separate ensures that if one provider experiences technical issues, the other service remains unaffected, providing you with greater reliability.
For example, if your broadband fails and your digital voice service is tied to it, you have no alternative method of making calls. If your landline is with a separate provider such as Phonely, you can use your landline number via an app on a mobile device to stay connected.
Broadband & Landline deals: Comparing providers
Bundles are easy to find online, but separate services can be a little trickier. So, we've done the hard work for you and outlined a few broadband and landline deals for you below.
Broadband only: An overview of NOW Broadband
NOW Broadband is a broadband provider offering affordable 24-month plans. Here's what you need to know:
Packages and pricing
- NOW Full Fibre 75 (75Mbps): £23/month (24-month contract)
- NOW Full Fibre 100 (100Mbps): £25/month (24-month contract)
- NOW Full Fibre 300 (300Mbps): £30/month (24-month contract)
- £5 setup fee
Who is NOW Broadband best for?
- Households needing affordable, sufficiently speedy broadband.
- Customers looking for simple, straightforward pricing without add-ons.
- Competitive pricing
- Affordable internet speed options
- Reliable speeds for everyday use
- No ultrafast options
- Limited to certain areas
- 24-month contracts
Broadband only: Overview of Three Mobile 4G/5G Broadband
Three Mobile offers a home broadband alternative using mobile data instead of traditional fibre connections. Here's what you need to know:
Packages and pricing
- 4G Home Broadband Unlimited: £11/month (24-month plan, half-price offer rising to £25.50 from April 2027)
- 4G Home Broadband Unlimited: £12/month (12-month plan)
- No landline required
Who is Three Mobile 4G/5G Broadband best for?
- People who don't want a landline or fibre.
- Rural areas with poor fibre availability but strong mobile signal.
- Customers where fixed broadband is not available (for example, care homes or sheltered housing).
- No need for a landline
- Simple plug-and-play setup
- Unlimited data with no speed caps or restrictive contracts
- Speed depends on mobile signal strength
- Not ideal for areas with weak 4G/5G coverage
Landline only: An overview of Phonely
Phonely is a trusted landline provider specialising in scam protection and affordability. Here's what you need to know:
Packages and pricing
- Digital Voice plan with auto call blocking: £9.97/month - 1,600 minutes included (18-month contract, increasing to £11.97 on 1 April 2027)
- CallGuard plan: £14.98/month
£29.96- unlimited calls (18-month contract) - CallGuard + plan: £29.00/month
£37.00- unlimited calls (18-month contract)
Who is Phonely Best For?
- Individuals seeking an affordable digital landline with calls included.
- Customers looking for built-in scam protection and UK-based customer support.
Winner, AbilityNet Tech4Good Digital Inclusion Award 2026. Read the announcement.
Thinking of switching? It is worth moving early. Number transfers are most straightforward well ahead of the 2027 switch-off rush, and you can transfer your number to Phonely for free.
- Extremely affordable pricing with unlimited calls
- Advanced scam protection features that you can't find anywhere else
- Free VoIP adapter when you pay annually
- Requires an internet connection for digital voice services
Landline only: An overview of Xinix
Xinix offers virtual landline services with various plans to suit different needs. Here's what you need to know:
Packages and pricing
- Virtual Line Only: £9/month, PAYG calls (24-month contract)
- 500 Minutes Plan: £11/month (24-month contract)
- Unlimited Minutes Plan: £12/month (24-month contract)
Who is Xinix best for?
- Individuals seeking a budget digital landline.
- Customers who have low call usage.
- Competitive pricing, with discounts for annual payments
- Free analogue to digital adapter included
- Mobile and PC apps for added flexibility
- 24-month contract commitment
- Additional costs for number porting (£20) and delivery (£8)
Landline only: An overview of Vonage for Home
Vonage provides VoIP home phone services with various plans. Here's what you need to know:
Packages and pricing
- Talk UK 1000: £6.99/month, 1000 minutes (12-month contract)
- Premium Mobile 1000: £9.99/month,1000 minutes (12-month contract)
Who is Vonage best for?
- Individuals looking for a simple plan.
- Customers who have low call volume.
- Only a 12-month contract is required
- Includes 20 standard features
- Requires an existing high-speed internet connection
- The cheaper plan carries a £10 activation charge and £5 delivery charge
Landline only: An overview of BT
BT is a well-established provider offering traditional landline services. Here's what you need to know:
Packages and pricing
- Pay As You Go: £28.40/month (12-month contract, includes line rental)
- Unlimited Minutes: £46.40/month (12-month contract, includes line rental)
Who is BT best for?
- Customers seeking a traditional landline service from a reputable provider.
- Individuals who prefer straightforward, pay-as-you-go call charges.
Thinking of leaving BT? Read our guide to the best BT landline alternative in the UK.
- Established provider with extensive coverage
- Simple flat-rate pricing for calls
- No longer available after the 2027 PSTN switch-off
- Higher monthly cost compared to other providers
- Limited flexibility in call plans
- Poor customer service Trustpilot reviews
Why the BT digital switchover changes everything
BT has already begun moving customers off the old copper network onto its Digital Voice service, and by January 2027 every traditional analogue landline in the UK will be switched off for good. That deadline can feel daunting, but it is actually the ideal moment to compare your options rather than simply being moved onto whatever your current provider offers next.
Our complete guide to the UK digital landline switchover explains the timeline, what it means for your home phone, and how to keep your existing number when you switch.
What to look for when choosing a landline replacement in 2026
With the copper network being switched off, most homes are moving to a VoIP home phone (also called a VoIP landline or digital landline). Whether you keep your service bundled or choose a standalone provider, these are the features worth checking before you commit:
- Scam blocking: traditional landlines and most bundles offer little protection. Look for automatic scam blocking and nuisance-call filtering built in—Phonely's CallGuard plans are designed specifically for this.
- Number porting: check you can keep your existing number. With Phonely you can transfer your number for free when you switch.
- Free adapter: a good provider includes an analogue-to-digital adapter so you can keep using your existing handset. Phonely includes a free VoIP adapter when you pay annually.
- Contract length: bundles often lock you into 18–24 months. Standalone landline plans give you more flexibility to switch and chase the best deal.
For impartial guidance on switching and your rights, see the Ofcom consumer guide to phones and broadband and Which? landline reviews. When you're ready to compare prices, see our full range of plans and prices.
An introduction to social tariffs
Social tariffs are discounted broadband and phone packages designed to help individuals receiving certain benefits stay connected. They have been available for many years, however, there are now more to choose from due to the cost of living crisis.
A general overview of Social Tariffs
You can find an extensive comparison of social tariffs on the Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert website or Ofcom, however, you can explore some options below:
TalkTalk, in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), offers:
- 6 months of free fibre broadband (average speed of 38Mbps)
Who is eligible?
- Jobseekers receiving Universal Credit.
- Eligibility is determined by Jobcentre staff.
Community Fibre offers the following social tariff for eligible customers:
- £12.50/month for 35Mb speed broadband on a 12-month contract
Who is eligible?
- Individuals receiving Universal Credit or other means-tested benefits.
- Availability is limited to areas where Community Fibre operates.
BT's Home Essentials plan offers 3 social tariffs (no upfront fee):
- £16 per month for up to 36Mbps broadband plus an unlimited minutes calling plan
- £21 per month for up to 36Mbps broadband only
- £24 per month for up to 67Mbps broadband only (calls add-on available from £2 per month)
Who is eligible?
- Individuals receiving Universal Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, or Pension Credit.
- Those who can pass a credit check or pay a security deposit.
How to choose the right broadband and landline setup
Assessing your needs
Before signing up for any deal, ask yourself:
- Do I actually need a landline? If not, you can save money by choosing broadband-only options
- What speeds do I need? Light users may be fine with 36Mbps, while large households streaming in 4K might need faster options
- How much am I willing to spend? Set a budget and compare deals that fit within it
Factors to consider
- Broadband speed: Check what speeds are available in your area
- Contract length: Do you prefer flexibility or a lower price for a longer contract?
- Call costs: If you make regular landline calls, compare per-minute rates or look for unlimited calling plans
What Phonely customers say
Rated excellent by customers who've switched to a Phonely VoIP home phone.
“Great service very helpful on the phone and performed as they said delivering equipment and transferring my number very quickly. Cannot find a fault. Highly recommended.”
John Harrison, Trustpilot“Excellent Service very prompt delivery on items ordered. I had an issue with my number porting that was solved very quickly and efficiently by Laura on the customer support team.”
Stephen Morris, Trustpilot“Extremely easy to set up the Phonely adaptor. Was able to pay the annual cost in 2 payments which being on a pension was a great help. I highly recommend Phonely.”
Sandra Rule, TrustpilotFrequently asked questions
What is the cheapest landline in the UK?
For most homes, the cheapest standalone landline in the UK is a VoIP home phone (digital landline) rather than a traditional copper line. Phonely's Digital Voice plan is £9.97/month with 1,600 minutes included, which undercuts traditional providers such as BT, whose Pay As You Go landline is £28.40/month. Virtual line-only providers like Xinix start from around £9/month, but those are pay-as-you-go for calls, so a plan with minutes included usually works out cheaper if you make regular calls.
Is Phonely better than BT?
It depends on what you need. Phonely is a specialist VoIP home phone provider that works with any broadband, includes automatic scam blocking and is significantly cheaper—from £9.97/month versus BT's £28.40/month Pay As You Go landline. BT is a large bundled provider, so it suits people who want broadband and phone on one bill from a single company. If you want a low-cost, independent landline replacement with built-in scam protection, Phonely is the stronger choice and a popular BT landline alternative for 2026. See our full Phonely vs BT comparison.
What is the best home phone for elderly parents?
The best home phone for elderly parents is a digital landline with built-in scam protection that keeps the familiar handset experience. Phonely's CallGuard plans add automatic scam blocking and trusted person alerts, you can keep your existing number through number porting, and a free adapter is included when you pay annually—so a parent can keep using their normal phone while being protected from nuisance and fraud calls. Compare options on our plans page.
Can I keep my existing phone number when I switch?
Yes. In almost all cases you can keep your current landline number through a process called number porting. With Phonely you can transfer your number for free when you switch, and it usually takes only a few working days.
Does a digital landline work with my router?
Yes. A digital landline (VoIP home phone) plugs into your broadband router, usually through a small adapter, and works with fibre, standard broadband and most 4G or 5G routers. Voice calls use very little bandwidth, so they will not slow down your browsing or streaming.
What happens in a power cut?
Because digital landlines run through your router, they rely on mains electricity, so a power cut will interrupt the line unless you have a battery backup. It is sensible to keep a mobile phone to hand as a backup, and providers can offer battery units or extra support if you rely on your landline for medical reasons. You can still dial 999 whenever the line is powered and connected. Our switchover guide covers power-cut backup in more detail.
Which broadband and landline deal is cheapest in 2026?
For most homes the cheapest option in 2026 is to separate your services: a low-cost broadband-only deal plus a standalone digital landline, rather than a bundled package. Broadband-only plans start from around £11 to £25 a month depending on speed, and a digital landline such as Phonely's Digital Voice plan is £9.97/month with 1,600 minutes included. Bundling can look convenient, but it often costs more once calls are added, so comparing the two separately usually works out cheapest. Compare Phonely plans or read about your BT switchover options.
Conclusion – Choosing the best deal for you
At the end of the day, the best broadband and landline deal depends on your specific needs. While bundles may seem convenient, separating your services can save you money and give you more flexibility.
Want to see how Phonely can save you money as a digital landline provider? Just click the button below!
