Comparison
Phonely vs Simple Telecoms: Which Digital Landline Is Better in 2026?
If you're comparing Phonely vs Simple Telecoms, you're likely looking for a digital replacement for your traditional landline. Both providers are UK-based and offer VoIP digital voice services for home users—but they're built very differently.
Both are UK-based. Both offer VoIP digital voice. Both target home users, including elderly customers. But one focuses on flexible rolling contracts and bundled packages; the other on proactive scam protection and peace of mind. Let's look at the facts.
For a full overview see our guide to the best digital landline providers in the UK.
Quick comparison: Phonely vs Simple Telecoms
Here are the key differences to help you decide.
Phonely's protection features (scam blocking, alerts, trusted person) are on CallGuard plans. Simple Telecoms focuses on voice and broadband bundles with different fee structures.
| Feature | Phonely | Simple Telecoms |
|---|---|---|
| UK Based | ||
| Contract | 12-month | 30-day rolling |
| Activation Fee | £0.00 | £78.50 voice setup |
| Annual Price Increases | Transparent pricing | CPI + 3.9% yearly |
| Hard Credit Check | ||
| Automatic Scam Blocking | CallGuard | Limited inbound blocking |
| Anti-Fraud Call Introduction | CallGuard | |
| Suspicious Call Alerts | CallGuard | |
| Trusted Person Monitoring | CallGuard | |
| Equipment Ownership | Customer keeps | Must return ATA/router |
| Fibre Requirement | Broadband required | Fibre only (FTTP/FTTH) |
When comparing Phonely vs Simple Telecoms, the real difference is how each approaches safety and transparency. Phonely's CallGuard plans offer proactive scam blocking and trusted person support; Simple Telecoms offers flexible contracts and bundles with activation fees and annual price rises.
Simple Telecoms focuses on flexible contracts and traditional VoIP features. Phonely focuses on proactive protection and long-term simplicity.
What is Simple Telecoms?
A UK provider marketing to elderly and senior customers
Simple Telecoms is a UK telecommunications provider that markets heavily to elderly and senior customers. They offer:
- Digital VoIP telephone lines using fibre broadband
- Telephone and broadband bundles
- A Home2Mobile SIM-based service
- Voice-only plans from £6.99 per month, with higher tiers at £9.40 and £11.98 per month
However, new customers pay a £78.50 activation or migration fee for voice services. Broadband bundles can carry setup fees from £64.50 up to £144 depending on installation type. Monthly prices also increase annually by CPI + 3.9%. These details matter when comparing long-term costs.
What makes Phonely different?
If you've ever hesitated before answering your home phone, this is where the difference becomes clear.
Phonely was designed to reduce scam anxiety, not just provide dial tone.
- Proactive scam blocking (CallGuard) — Phonely automatically blocks known scam numbers using a continuously updated block list. Simple Telecoms offers inbound number blocking and nuisance call blocking in some bundles, but does not provide live scam intelligence alerts. Blocking a number after it calls is useful. Stopping it before it reaches you is better.
- Anti-fraud call introduction (CallGuard) — With Phonely, callers hear a message explaining the call may be monitored. Scammers often hang up immediately. Simple Telecoms does not advertise an anti-fraud introduction feature.
- Suspicious call alerts and trusted person support (CallGuard) — Phonely can notify a nominated family member if a suspicious call is detected. That trusted person can monitor or join the call if needed. Simple Telecoms does not provide trusted contact monitoring. For elderly households, that difference is not small. It is peace of mind.
Very pleased with all aspects of the Phonely product and service. Smooth hassle-free and my landline was up and running in no time! Great customer service… Faultless service and highly recommended.
Norrie Waters, Trustpilot
Pricing comparison: upfront costs matter
At first glance, Simple Telecoms looks affordable. But the full picture includes: £78.50 activation fee for voice lines; equipment that must be returned when cancelling; annual CPI + 3.9% price rises; hard credit check via CreditSafe; and credit limits that can restrict outgoing calls.
Phonely focuses on transparent monthly pricing and straightforward setup without complex port-back penalties or mandatory credit checks. When comparing Phonely vs Simple Telecoms, the headline monthly price is only part of the story.
Keep your existing landline number and switch to digital voice easily with Phonely.
Switching is simple and you can keep your existing number.
If you want straightforward pricing without setup charges or annual price rises. View Phonely's plans →
Is Simple Telecoms safe?
Standard VoIP security, but limited scam protection
Simple Telecoms includes TLS and SRTP encrypted calls, automatic barring of premium numbers, and inbound number blocking. These are standard VoIP features. But it is not built primarily as a scam prevention system.
Quick answers
Does Simple Telecoms block scam calls automatically? There is no advertised live scam detection or global block list system. Blocking is primarily manual or rule-based.
Does Simple Telecoms require a credit check? Yes. Applying for service triggers a hard credit check via CreditSafe.
Does Simple Telecoms offer trusted family monitoring? No. No trusted contact escalation or live call join functionality is offered. For that, you need a provider like Phonely CallGuard.
Safety feature comparison (Phonely = CallGuard)
| Feature | Simple Telecoms | Phonely CallGuard |
|---|---|---|
| Inbound / manual blocking | ||
| Live scam protection | ||
| Trusted person support |
Other important considerations
Fibre-only, porting and credit limits
Fibre-only limitation — Simple Telecoms digital voice is designed for FTTP and FTTH fibre connections and does not work over FTTC or mobile SIM data.
Porting restrictions — Numbers ported away cannot be ported back free for 24 to 36 months. Customers must keep accounts active during porting or risk losing their number.
Suspension and credit limits — Outgoing calls can be restricted if credit limits are reached. These details may not matter to everyone—but they matter to some.
Who should choose which?
Who should choose Simple Telecoms?
Simple Telecoms may suit you if you want a 30-day rolling contract, prefer bundled broadband and phone, are comfortable with activation fees, and find basic call blocking sufficient.
Who should choose Phonely?
Phonely may be better if scam protection is your priority, you want proactive blocking and suspicious call alerts, you want trusted family oversight, or you prefer simpler long-term pricing without activation fees or hard credit checks.
Phonely was created to help people feel safe answering the phone again.
Digital voice guide for over 60sTrusted by police forces · Used by Trading Standards · Thousands of UK households protected
Final verdict: Phonely or Simple Telecoms?
When comparing Phonely vs Simple Telecoms, the real difference is not just monthly cost. It is how each provider approaches safety, transparency and long-term simplicity.
Simple Telecoms provides a digital replacement for copper landlines. Phonely provides a digital landline designed specifically to protect vulnerable households from scam calls. If protection matters more than price alone, the choice becomes clear.
Explore Phonely's plansRelated: Best digital landline UK · Phonely vs BT · Phonely vs EE · Phonely vs Vodafone
Looking for a safer Simple Telecoms alternative?
If you want proactive scam blocking, suspicious call alerts, trusted person support, transparent pricing and simple switching, explore Phonely's digital landline plans today and see how protected calling should feel.
Protect your home phone nowPhonely is trusted by police forces, Trading Standards, Neighbourhood Watch and the Alzheimer's Society, and has been featured on the BBC.
View press coverageFrequently asked questions
Phonely vs Simple Telecoms: pricing, safety and digital landline comparison
Simple Telecoms does not advertise a live scam detection or global block list system. Blocking is primarily manual or rule-based. Phonely's CallGuard plans offer automatic scam blocking with a continuously updated block list.
Yes. Applying for Simple Telecoms voice service triggers a hard credit check via CreditSafe. Phonely does not require a hard credit check for sign-up.
No. Simple Telecoms does not offer trusted contact escalation or live call join functionality. Phonely's CallGuard plans let you nominate a family member to receive alerts and join calls if needed.
Yes. Phonely supports number porting so you can keep your existing landline number when you switch to a digital landline. You can transfer your number easily when signing up.
The best Simple Telecoms alternative for scam protection is a UK-based VoIP or digital landline provider with automatic scam blocking, call monitoring and trusted person alerts. Phonely's CallGuard plans offer a digital landline with built-in scam protection, UK-based support, and simple number porting—ideal if you want a VoIP service that protects you, not just supplies dial tone.
Other comparisons
See all providers in our best digital landline UK guide.
