Introduction to OneStream Broadband
OneStream is one of the UK’s fastest-growing broadband providers, offering affordable fibre and full-fibre broadband services to homes across the country. Built on major UK broadband networks, OneStream has gained popularity by combining competitive pricing with fast download speeds and simple switching processes, making it an attractive alternative to larger providers.
As more households move away from traditional copper phone lines, many customers are choosing OneStream for its value-for-money broadband packages and straightforward approach to connectivity. Whether you’re upgrading from older ADSL services or switching providers to reduce your monthly bills, OneStream aims to make the transition as seamless as possible.
However, one question often arises when customers are considering the switch: Can I keep my existing landline number?
For many households and small businesses, a long-established phone number remains important. Friends, family, customers and service providers may all rely on that number to stay in touch. While OneStream’s support documentation states that number transfers may be possible in many cases, customers occasionally discover that transferring their number is not always straightforward, particularly if they require a dedicated phone service alongside their broadband.
In this guide, we’ll explain your options for keeping your number when switching to OneStream Broadband and how VoIP services such as Plexatalk can help.
Can I Keep My Number with OneStream?
One of the most common questions people ask before switching broadband providers is: “Can I keep my number with OneStream?” The good news is that, according to OneStream’s support documentation, customers can transfer their existing phone number in most cases when moving their services to OneStream.
However, OneStream also notes that there are circumstances where a number transfer may not be possible. If this applies to your order, they state that they will contact you before proceeding. While this is reassuring, it highlights the importance of checking your number’s portability before making any changes to your current broadband or phone service.
This is particularly important because cancelling your existing provider too early could result in your landline number being disconnected. Once a number has been ceased, recovering it can be difficult or, in some cases, impossible. For households and businesses that have used the same number for years, losing it can cause significant inconvenience.
If you’re asking, “Can I keep my number with OneStream?”, the safest approach is to confirm your options before cancelling anything. And if your number cannot be transferred directly, there is another solution.
An independent VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service, such as Plexatalk, allows you to move your existing number away from your broadband provider entirely. This means your phone number can remain yours regardless of which broadband company you use, providing greater flexibility, future-proofing your communications, and helping ensure you don’t lose a number that’s important to you.
Why Some Customers Choose Independent VoIP Instead
While some customers are able to transfer their number directly when switching broadband providers, others prefer to separate their phone service from their internet connection altogether. This is where independent VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services have become increasingly popular.
By keeping broadband and phone services separate, your landline number is no longer tied to a specific provider. This gives you much greater flexibility when choosing broadband packages and makes it easier to switch providers in the future without worrying about losing your number or interrupting your phone service.
For example, if you move from OneStream to another provider in a year’s time, your phone number can remain exactly where it is. Rather than arranging another number transfer, updating contacts, or risking downtime, your VoIP service continues to operate independently of your broadband connection. This can be particularly valuable for small businesses, remote workers, and households that have relied on the same number for many years.
Independent VoIP services also offer features that are often unavailable with traditional landline packages. Depending on the provider, these can include voicemail-to-email, call forwarding, call recording, auto attendants, mobile and desktop apps, multiple handsets, and the ability to make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection.
For customers looking for a UK-based solution, Plexatalk provides independent VoIP services that allow you to keep your existing number while benefiting from modern calling features. Because your number is held separately from your broadband provider, future broadband switches become much simpler, helping you avoid disruption while maintaining complete control over your communications.
What Happens if Your Number Cannot Be Ported?
Although many phone numbers can be transferred between providers, there are situations where a number may not be eligible for porting. This can come as an unwelcome surprise for customers who have used the same landline number for many years.
One common reason is geographic restrictions. Some numbers are linked to specific exchanges or regions and may not be supported by every provider. There can also be provider limitations, where the gaining provider does not have an agreement or technical capability to accept certain number ranges. Older, legacy number blocks can sometimes present challenges as well, particularly if they were originally allocated many years ago under different telecommunications arrangements.
Administrative issues can also prevent a successful transfer. Incorrect account details, mismatched addresses, or discrepancies between provider records may result in a port request being rejected or delayed.
If a number cannot be ported, customers risk losing a number that may have been in use for decades. For businesses, this can have serious consequences. Customers may continue calling an old number that no longer works, leading to missed enquiries, lost sales, and damage to brand reputation. Marketing materials, websites, directories, and business stationery may also need updating.
For residential users, the impact can be equally frustrating. Family members, friends, healthcare providers, schools, banks, and other important services may all have the number on record. Changing numbers can mean contacting dozens of organisations and individuals, with the possibility that some may not receive the update.
For this reason, it’s always worth confirming your number transfer options before switching providers or cancelling an existing service.
The PSTN Switch-Off and What It Means for OneStream Customers
The UK’s telecommunications network is undergoing one of the biggest changes in decades. The PSTN switch-off refers to the retirement of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the traditional copper-based phone system that has connected homes and businesses for generations.
The current industry target is for the PSTN to be fully withdrawn by January 2027. Once this transition is complete, traditional analogue landline services will no longer operate over copper phone lines. Instead, all voice communications will move to internet-based technologies such as Digital Voice and VoIP phone services.
For customers, this means the familiar landline isn’t disappearing entirely—it’s simply changing the way it works. Rather than connecting through a physical telephone exchange, calls will be made and received using a broadband connection. This approach offers greater flexibility, improved reliability, and access to features that were difficult or impossible to provide on older telephone networks.
As broadband providers continue to roll out fibre and full-fibre services, traditional landlines are becoming increasingly outdated. Maintaining ageing copper infrastructure is costly, while modern IP-based networks can deliver both broadband and voice services more efficiently.
For OneStream customers, the shift towards Digital Voice and VoIP phone services reflects the wider direction of the UK telecoms industry. Whether a phone service is provided directly by a broadband provider or through an independent VoIP company, internet-based calling is rapidly becoming the standard.
The key takeaway is that the future of home and business telephony is digital. As the PSTN switch-off approaches, customers who want to keep their existing phone number should start considering their options now, ensuring a smooth transition to a modern VoIP phone service before traditional landlines become a thing of the past.
How Plexatalk Helps You Keep Your Landline Number
If you’re concerned about losing your existing phone number when switching broadband providers, Plexatalk offers a simple way to keep it. As a UK-based VoIP provider, Plexatalk enables customers to transfer their existing landline number to an independent VoIP service, allowing them to continue using the same number regardless of which broadband provider they choose.
The process begins with a number portability check to confirm that your existing number can be transferred. Plexatalk supports number porting from many major UK providers, including BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Plusnet, Virgin Media, Vodafone, EE, and a wide range of business phone providers.
Once eligibility has been confirmed, you’ll be asked to complete a Customer Letter of Authority (CLoA). This document authorises Plexatalk to manage the transfer on your behalf and helps ensure the porting process is completed correctly. After the paperwork has been submitted, Plexatalk coordinates directly with your current provider to arrange the transfer.
In most cases, number porting takes around 7–10 working days, although timelines can vary depending on the provider and the complexity of the transfer. Throughout the process, customers are kept informed of progress and any actions required.
One of the biggest advantages of moving your number to Plexatalk is that it becomes independent of your broadband provider. This means if you switch from OneStream to another provider in the future, your phone number stays exactly where it is. There’s no need to arrange another transfer, update contacts, or risk losing a long-established number.
By separating your phone service from your broadband connection, Plexatalk gives you greater control, flexibility, and long-term ownership of the number that’s important to you.
Ways to Use Your Number After Moving to OneStream
If you decide to move your phone number to an independent VoIP service such as Plexatalk, you’ll have several ways to continue using it after switching to OneStream broadband. Whether you want to keep your existing home phone, upgrade to a modern business handset, or take calls on the move, there’s a setup to suit almost every household or business.
Option 1: Keep Your Existing Home Phone with an ATA
For many people, the simplest solution is to continue using their current telephone handset through an Analogue Telephone Adapter (ATA). This small device connects your existing phone to your broadband router and converts traditional phone signals into VoIP calls.
The main advantage is familiarity. You can keep the same handset, use the same buttons and features you’re used to, and avoid learning a new system. Setup is typically straightforward, requiring only a connection between the ATA, your router, and your phone.
This option is ideal for households that want a traditional landline experience while benefiting from modern VoIP technology.
Option 2: Dedicated VoIP Desk Phones
For home offices and businesses, a dedicated VoIP desk phone offers a more advanced solution. These phones are designed specifically for internet-based calling and often include HD audio quality, larger displays, caller management tools, voicemail integration, call transfer features, and more.
VoIP desk phones are popular with remote workers, small businesses, and professionals who spend significant time on calls and want a reliable, purpose-built device.
Option 3: Mobile and Computer Apps
Another flexible option is using your phone number through mobile or desktop applications. Popular SIP-compatible apps such as Zoiper allow you to make and receive calls using your landline number from a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
This is particularly useful for remote working, travelling, or managing business calls away from the office. Many users choose to run their number across multiple devices simultaneously, ensuring they never miss an important call whether they’re at home, in the office, or on the move.
With VoIP, your number is no longer tied to a single phone, giving you far greater flexibility than a traditional landline ever could.
Benefits of VoIP Over Traditional Landlines
As the UK moves towards a fully digital communications network, more homes and businesses are discovering the advantages of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) compared to traditional landline services.
One of the biggest benefits is cost savings. Unlike conventional phone lines, VoIP services typically don’t require separate line rental charges, helping to reduce monthly bills. Calls are often cheaper too, particularly for businesses making regular outbound calls.
VoIP also delivers significantly improved call quality. With a reliable broadband connection, users can enjoy HD voice technology, resulting in clearer conversations and better audio than many traditional landline services.
Beyond basic calling, VoIP includes a range of advanced features that would often cost extra on older telephone systems. These can include call forwarding, allowing calls to ring on another number or device, and voicemail-to-email, which sends voice messages directly to your inbox so you can listen to them wherever you are.
For businesses and professional users, features such as call recording, auto attendants, call queues, and hunt groups provide additional flexibility and control. These tools can help improve customer service, maintain compliance requirements, and support remote or hybrid working environments.
Another major advantage is scalability. Traditional phone systems often require additional hardware and installation work when adding new users or extensions. With VoIP, new numbers, users, and devices can usually be added quickly and easily, making it an ideal solution for growing businesses.
Whether you’re looking to reduce costs, improve flexibility, or prepare for the UK’s digital future, VoIP offers a modern alternative to the traditional landline.
Real Customer Scenarios
Every customer’s situation is different, but the desire to keep an existing phone number is a common theme when switching broadband providers.
Customer 1: Escaping Rising Broadband Costs
A homeowner contacted Plexatalk after deciding to leave their existing broadband provider due to increasing monthly costs. They had found a more affordable package with OneStream but were concerned about losing the landline number they had used for over a decade. By porting the number to Plexatalk before switching, they were able to move to OneStream for broadband while continuing to use the same phone number without interruption.
Customer 2: Remote Worker Keeping a Long-Standing BT Number
A home-based consultant had used the same BT landline number for many years, with clients regularly calling it for appointments and enquiries. When moving to a new broadband package, they wanted to ensure their number remained available regardless of future provider changes. Plexatalk transferred the number to an independent VoIP service, allowing calls to be answered on both a desk phone and mobile app while maintaining complete continuity for clients.
Customer 3: Small Business Protecting Marketing Investment
A small business had its phone number printed on vehicles, business cards, brochures, and online directories. Changing numbers would have meant updating marketing materials and potentially losing customer enquiries. By moving the number to Plexatalk, the business retained its established contact number while switching broadband providers, ensuring customers could continue reaching them without disruption.
These real-world scenarios highlight why many people choose to separate their phone number from their broadband provider, giving them greater flexibility while protecting an important business or household asset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my BT number when switching to OneStream?
In many cases, yes. OneStream states that existing phone numbers can often be transferred when you switch services. However, eligibility depends on factors such as your current provider, number range, and local exchange arrangements. If keeping your number is important, it’s always best to check before cancelling your existing service.
What happens if my number cannot be transferred?
If your number cannot be ported directly, you may risk losing it when your current service is disconnected. This can be particularly disruptive if you’ve had the number for many years or use it for business purposes. An independent VoIP provider such as Plexatalk may be able to offer alternative porting options or help you retain your number separately from your broadband service.
Can I use my existing phone?
Yes. Many customers continue using their current home phone by connecting it through an Analogue Telephone Adapter (ATA). This allows traditional handsets to work with modern VoIP services without requiring major changes to your setup.
Do I need a new handset?
Not necessarily. If you’re happy with your existing phone, an ATA can often provide everything you need. However, some customers choose to upgrade to a dedicated VoIP desk phone to access features such as HD audio, larger displays, and advanced call management functions.
Does VoIP work over full-fibre broadband?
Absolutely. In fact, full-fibre broadband is one of the best connections for VoIP services. Fast, stable internet helps deliver excellent call quality, reliable connections, and support for advanced features such as video calls and multi-device usage.
What happens if my broadband goes down?
Because VoIP relies on an internet connection, phone services may be unavailable during a broadband outage. Many users address this by setting up call forwarding to a mobile number or using mobile apps that can switch to a cellular data connection when needed.
Can I use my number on my mobile?
Yes. One of the biggest advantages of VoIP is flexibility. Using SIP-compatible apps such as Zoiper, you can make and receive calls using your landline number on a smartphone, tablet, or computer. This allows you to stay connected whether you’re at home, in the office, or working remotely.
Get Started with Plexatalk
If you’re switching to OneStream and want to keep your existing phone number, Plexatalk can help make the process simple and stress-free. Whether you’re a homeowner protecting a long-held family number or a business looking to maintain customer continuity, our UK-based VoIP services are designed to keep you connected.
By moving your number to Plexatalk, you gain complete independence from your broadband provider. This means you’re free to switch broadband companies whenever you like without worrying about losing your phone number or having to go through another porting process in the future.
Our services are available for both residential and business customers, with flexible options that allow you to use your existing phone, a dedicated VoIP handset, or mobile and desktop applications. You’ll also benefit from modern calling features, lower costs, and a solution that’s ready for the UK’s transition away from traditional landlines.
Most importantly, you’ll avoid the risk of losing important calls from family, friends, customers, suppliers, and essential services that already have your number on record.
Ready to get started?
Explore our solutions:
Contact the Plexatalk team today to check whether your number can be transferred and discover how easy it is to keep your number for life.