How to Keep Your Landline When Switching to Community Fibre

TL;DR: Keep Your Landline When Switching to Community Fibre

Switching to Community Fibre (or any full-fibre broadband) means your traditional copper landline will stop working — unless you add a digital phone service. Community Fibre offers this as a landline add-on for £10/month.

But you’re not limited to that option.

With an independent VoIP provider like Plexatalk, you can keep your home phone experience — including your existing landline number — for just £4/month. All calls go over your broadband connection, and you can still use the handset you already have.

Same trusted landline. Less than half the price. Easy switch.

Across the UK, the way we connect is rapidly changing. Full fibre broadband is replacing the decades-old copper network that traditional home phone lines rely on. It’s a necessary upgrade—faster speeds, greater reliability, better for the future—but there’s one consequence many people don’t expect: switching to fibre broadband can mean losing your landline.

That comes as a real surprise for a lot of households. The landline is still the most trusted way to stay in touch for many families, especially those who value clear call quality, easy-to-use handsets, and a phone that works without needing a smartphone. So, when upgrading to a shiny new fibre connection suddenly puts that at risk, it’s natural to feel a bit uneasy.

Providers are offering solutions. For example, Community Fibre can add a home phone service on top of your fibre broadband plan — but it comes as a paid extra, starting from around £10 per month.

The good news is: you have options. With digital landline alternatives like Plexatalk, you can keep the traditional landline experience you rely on — including your existing number — for less. Our plans start from just £4 per month, giving you a smarter, more affordable way to stay connected as the UK moves into the fibre future.

The Cost of Adding a Landline with Community Fibre

If you’re moving to Community Fibre’s full-fibre network, the traditional copper phone line is no longer required. However, if you still want to keep a “home phone” experience, you’ll pay extra. Community Fibre offers a VoIP home-phone add-on at £10/month.

The catch: you’re effectively already paying for broadband connectivity—the fibre line into your home doesn’t require the extra landline rental. Adding the phone service is an upsell, bundled on top of your internet plan. In other words: you pay your broadband cost, and now you’re being asked to pay an extra £10 each month just to retain the feel of a “normal” landline.

Compare that with other fibre-only providers: for instance, some VoIP home-phone services via other ISPs start at £10.25+ per month for unlimited UK landlines (and often extra for mobiles or international calls). In sum: while £10/month isn’t extreme, when you stack it on top of your broadband bill it adds up—and you need to ask whether you really need the full home-phone bundle (features, unlimited mobile calls etc) or whether a leaner alternative can serve you just as well.

Can I Keep My Landline on Copper?

The reality is that copper landlines are being phased out across the UK. The national analogue phone network — the system traditional landlines rely on — will be switched off by January 2027. After that point, calls will no longer be delivered over the old copper wiring. Everything will move to digital technology, typically using your broadband connection.

So if you currently have a standard landline, you will eventually need to switch to a digital voice service (like VoIP) to keep making and receiving calls. Providers have already stopped installing new copper landlines, and maintenance on the network will continue to wind down as the deadline approaches.

But here’s the important part: moving away from copper doesn’t mean losing your landline. You can keep:

• Your long-held phone number
• Your familiar home phone handset (with a simple adapter)
• The same calling experience you’re used to

The only thing that changes is the underlying technology — and most of that happens behind the scenes.

In short: you won’t be able to stay on copper forever, but you can keep your landline life exactly as you know it, with a modern service that’s ready for the future.

You can read more about the Switch Off on the Ofcom website.

Understanding VoIP: The Future of Home Phones

The biggest change happening to home phone services today is the shift from copper phone lines to internet-based calling. This is where VoIP — Voice over Internet Protocol — comes in. Instead of sending your voice through the old copper network, VoIP converts your speech into digital data and sends it over your broadband connection. To you, it still feels like a normal phone call — but behind the scenes, the technology is much smarter.

This transition isn’t optional in the long term. The UK’s traditional phone network (the PSTN) is being retired, and by 2027 every home and business will need to move to a digital alternative. So even if you haven’t switched yet, the change is already coming.

Why VoIP is the new standard

VoIP has several major advantages over the legacy system:

• Better call quality thanks to modern digital transmission
• Flexibility — not tied to a wall socket or a single handset
• Extra features many landlines never offered: call blocking, call forwarding, voicemails sent to email, mobile app integration, and more
• Future-proofing — it’s designed for the networks and needs of today

Clearing up common concerns

There’s a misconception that VoIP requires new equipment or complicated setup — not true. You can often keep your existing handset using a simple adapter or by plugging it into a compatible router. If you prefer, you can also make and receive calls through an app on your mobile or tablet.

In short: VoIP still gives you the reliable, familiar landline experience — but with greater convenience, modern features, and a technology foundation built for the fibre future.

Introducing Plexatalk Domestic VoIP – Works with Community Fibre Connections and other providers

Keeping your home phone shouldn’t mean overpaying. With Plexatalk Domestic VoIP, you can keep the familiar landline experience you trust — from just £4 per month — and save significantly compared to Community Fibre’s £10/month home phone add-on.

Even better, Plexatalk works with any broadband provider (such as Virgin, TalkTalk, BT, Toob, Trooli, Starlink and 3). Whether you’re switching to Community Fibre or already with another fibre network, you can add a reliable landline-style service without being locked into bundles or upsells you don’t need.

And there’s no need to change the way people reach you. We offer free number porting, so you can keep your long-held landline number with zero hassle. Our service also includes voicemail, caller ID and call forwarding as standard — modern features to make your home phone more useful than ever.

Features You’ll Love With Plexatalk

Switching to a digital landline shouldn’t mean giving anything up — in fact, with Plexatalk, you gain more. We’ve built our home phone service to feel familiar and simple, while quietly delivering modern features that make everyday communication easier.

Voicemail, but better

Never miss a message again. Advanced voicemail captures every call and can send messages straight to your email — ideal when you’re away from home or want to check quickly on a mobile.

Call blocking for peace and quiet

Unwanted sales calls and nuisance numbers are a thing of the past. With built-in call blocking, you stay in control of who gets through.

Know who’s calling

Caller ID comes as standard, so you always see who’s on the other end before you pick up.

Staying reachable on the go

Heading out? Forward calls to your mobile and continue conversations wherever you are — no extra fuss.

Multiple handsets, one service

If you like having extensions around the home — kitchen, hallway, bedroom — Plexatalk allows you to add multiple handsets easily, just like a traditional landline setup.

Clear, reliable call quality

Because calls run over your broadband connection, audio quality is crisp and stable — especially on full-fibre networks.

Keep the home-phone feel

Prefer your existing handset? Just add our optional £50 adapter and continue using the phones you already know.

Easy Setup: Keep Using Your Existing Phones

Upgrading to a digital landline shouldn’t mean replacing the phone you’re already comfortable with. That’s why Plexatalk is designed to work seamlessly with the standard home telephones you already own.

All you need is a VoIP adapter (also called an ATA). It plugs into your broadband router, and your phone plugs into the adapter — that’s it. If you can connect a kettle or a TV, you can set up Plexatalk. No rewiring, no complicated menus, and no relying on a technician to visit your home.

We provide quick start guidance that walks you through each step, and our support team is ready to help if you want a little reassurance along the way. Most households are up and running within minutes.

Prefer a more modern setup? You can also choose to use VoIP-ready handsets or even make calls through an app on your mobile or tablet — the choice is yours.

Who Plexatalk is Perfect For

Plexatalk is the ideal home-phone solution for anyone moving to full-fibre broadband and wanting to keep a traditional landline without the extra cost. If you’re upgrading to Community Fibre or another fibre-only provider, Plexatalk lets you stay connected on your own terms.

It’s especially useful for older relatives who prefer the reliability and simplicity of a familiar handset, and don’t want to rely solely on mobile phones. Families can feel confident knowing there’s always a stable way to reach home.

For home workers, Plexatalk provides a clear, professional-quality phone line that keeps business calls separate from personal ones — without needing a separate broadband plan.

And if you’re simply tired of paying premium prices for basic phone access, Plexatalk brings fair, modern pricing to both households and small businesses alike.

If a dependable, cost-saving phone service matters to you — Plexatalk fits perfectly.

Compare the Costs: Plexatalk vs. Community Fibre

When choosing how to keep your landline on a fibre broadband connection, cost is an important factor — especially if you don’t use your home phone heavily.

Community Fibre offers a home-phone add-on at £10 per month, which works out to £120 per year. It’s a straightforward option if you want everything under one provider.

Plexatalk gives you another choice. Our Micro plan starts at just £4 per month, totalling £48 per year. That means you could save £72 every year while still enjoying the familiar landline experience — often with more flexible features included.

But the real difference is control. Instead of a single preset bundle, Plexatalk lets you pick the plan that suits how much you actually call — from light-use households to frequent callers and families who keep in touch internationally.

Here’s a simple side-by-side:

Compare the Costs: Plexatalk vs. Community Fibre

Simple, factual comparison so you can choose what fits your calling needs.

Price comparison between Community Fibre landline add-on and Plexatalk Micro plan

Service	Monthly Cost	Yearly Cost	Flexibility
Community Fibre Landline Add-On	£10	£120	Single option
Plexatalk Micro Plan	£4	£48	Multiple plan choices

That’s a potential saving of £72/year with Plexatalk Micro, with the ability to choose a higher-minutes plan if your calling needs grow.

How to Switch in 3 Simple Steps

1. Choose your plan
   Pick the Plexatalk plan that matches your calling needs, then set up Direct Debit online. It takes a couple of minutes.
2. Port your number
   Tell us the landline number you want to keep. We handle the porting in the background and confirm your activation date. No need to call your current provider.
3. Plug in and call
   On activation day, connect your phone to our optional £50 adapter (or use a VoIP-ready handset/app). Your phone works exactly as before.

No downtime, no complicated changeover — just clear calls and your same trusted number.

Conclusion: Keep the Phone You Trust — Without the Premium Price

Full-fibre broadband is the future of connectivity in the UK. But while copper landlines are being retired, that doesn’t mean you should have to pay high monthly add-on charges just to keep the home phone experience you rely on.

Plexatalk gives you the smart alternative. You keep your existing phone number, use the handsets you already own, and enjoy all the benefits of a modern digital line — at a price that actually reflects your needs. No bundles. No hidden fees. Just a reliable, flexible landline service designed for the fibre era.

If you’re moving to Community Fibre or any other fibre-only broadband provider, now’s the perfect time to switch. Stay connected to the people who matter most — while saving money every year.

Ready to get started?

Compare residential plans and sign up here or for business use please get in touch today.

Keep Your Landline When Switching to Community Fibre – FAQs