Yes – you can have a separate provider for your broadband and landline. While many people still choose to buy both services as part of a bundle, it’s no longer a requirement.
As the UK switches from the old analogue phone network to digital phone services, more homeowners are discovering they have greater flexibility over who provides their internet connection and who handles their home phone service. Rather than being tied to a single provider, you can choose the broadband package that best suits your needs and pair it with a separate landline provider.
This change opens up more choice, whether you’re looking for better value, improved call features, or simply want to keep your home phone number while switching broadband providers.
In this guide, we’ll explain how separate broadband and landline services work, when it makes sense to use different providers, and how internet-based phone services can give you the flexibility to choose the best option for your home.
Can You Have Separate Providers for Broadband and Landline?
Yes. Your broadband provider and your phone provider can be completely different companies.
Your broadband provider’s job is simply to supply your internet connection. As long as you have a reliable broadband service, your home phone can be provided separately using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Instead of relying on the old copper telephone network, VoIP technology makes and receives calls over your internet connection.
This gives you far more flexibility than traditional landlines ever could. Rather than choosing a bundled package because it’s your only option, you can compare broadband providers based on speed, reliability and price, while selecting a phone service that offers the features, call plans and support you want.
This approach has become much more common as the UK moves away from analogue phone lines and towards full fibre broadband and digital phone services. With the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) being retired, many providers now offer internet-based calling instead of traditional landlines. As a result, customers are no longer tied to a single provider for both services and can mix and match the options that work best for their household.
How Does It Work?
Modern home phone services use your broadband connection to make and receive calls instead of the old copper telephone network. This technology is called Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), but in practice it’s much simpler than it sounds.
Rather than your phone being connected to a traditional landline, your calls are sent securely over your internet connection. If you already stream TV, browse the web or make video calls online, your broadband is capable of carrying phone calls too.
From your point of view, very little changes. You can keep your existing phone number in many cases, use a compatible home telephone, and make and receive calls just as you always have. Friends and family dial the same number, and your phone rings as normal when someone calls.
The biggest difference is simply what’s happening behind the scenes. Instead of relying on ageing copper phone lines, your calls are carried digitally over the internet. This makes it easier to choose the broadband provider that’s right for you while using a separate phone service that offers the features, flexibility and pricing that best suit your household.
Your Options
Option 1 – Get Broadband and Phone From the Same Provider
Many broadband companies still offer packages that include both your internet connection and a digital home phone service. For some households, this is the simplest option because everything comes from one provider, with a single monthly bill and one point of contact if you need support.
However, bundled packages don’t always offer the best value or flexibility. You may end up paying for a phone service with features you don’t need, or find that another broadband provider offers faster speeds or better prices. If you decide to switch providers later, your phone service may also be tied to that package, making the process a little more complicated.
Option 2 – Broadband From One Company and Your Landline From Another
A growing number of people are choosing to separate their broadband and phone services. This allows you to pick the broadband provider that offers the best speeds, coverage or monthly price for your area, while choosing a phone provider based on the features and call plans that suit you.
Keeping these services separate also gives you greater flexibility in the future. If you find a better broadband deal, you can switch internet providers without necessarily changing your phone service or losing the number you’ve had for years. It also means you’re free to choose a specialist phone provider that focuses on delivering reliable home phone services, rather than simply accepting whatever is included in a broadband bundle.
Option 3 – Broadband Without a Phone Service, Then Use Plexatalk
Another increasingly popular option is to take a broadband-only package and add your home phone service separately using Plexatalk.
Because Plexatalk works over your internet connection, it doesn’t matter which broadband provider you choose. Whether your broadband comes from a major national provider or a smaller full fibre company, Plexatalk can provide your home phone service independently, giving you the freedom to choose the broadband package that’s right for you.
This means you don’t have to pay for a bundled phone service if you don’t want one. Instead, you can enjoy a reliable home phone service, keep your existing number in many cases, and continue making and receiving calls just as you always have.
It’s a flexible solution that gives you more control over your services. Rather than being tied to one provider for everything, you can choose the best broadband deal available while relying on Plexatalk to handle your home phone service over your internet connection.
Why More People Are Choosing Separate Broadband and Phone Providers
More households are choosing separate broadband and phone providers because it gives them greater flexibility and control over the services they use.
One of the biggest advantages is choice. Instead of selecting a bundled package, you can compare broadband providers based on speed, reliability and price, then choose a phone provider that offers the features you actually want. This often makes it easier to find better broadband deals while avoiding the cost of paying for services you don’t need.
Many people also want to keep their existing home phone number, especially if friends, family or businesses already use it. With internet-based phone services, it’s often possible to transfer your existing number, allowing you to enjoy a modern digital phone service without changing the number you’ve had for years.
Choosing a dedicated phone provider can also give you access to useful features such as voicemail, call forwarding, caller display and flexible call plans that may not be included with every broadband package.
Another benefit is that switching broadband providers in the future can be much simpler. Because your phone service isn’t tied to your broadband package, you can move to a better internet deal without having to replace your home phone service each time.
As the UK continues its move away from analogue landlines and onto digital phone technology, separating your broadband and phone services is becoming an increasingly practical way to future-proof your home while giving yourself more freedom to choose the providers that best meet your needs.
Things to Consider Before Switching
Before switching to a separate broadband and phone provider, there are a few important things to keep in mind to help ensure everything goes smoothly.
If you want to keep your existing home phone number, you’ll usually need to arrange a number port. Timing is important. If your number is transferred before your new broadband service is live, it can automatically cancel the phone line your broadband is using, which may result in your internet service being disconnected and needing to be reconnected. In most cases, it’s better to wait until your broadband has been switched over. You typically have up to 30 days after your broadband goes live to port your number, although your old number won’t be available to use during the porting process.
You’ll also want to check whether you can continue using your existing home phone. In many cases, you can, although you may need a VoIP adapter if your telephone isn’t designed to connect directly to your broadband equipment.
Finally, make sure your broadband connection is reliable enough to support internet-based calling. Most modern broadband services, including full fibre connections, are more than capable of delivering excellent call quality.
As with any digital phone service, it’s worth remembering that internet-based calls rely on both your broadband connection and mains power. During a power cut, your phone service won’t normally work unless you have a backup power solution in place, so it’s worth considering this if you rely on your home phone in an emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions – Separate Provider for Broadband and Landline
Can I keep my landline number?
In most cases, yes. If you’re moving to a VoIP phone service, you can usually transfer (or “port”) your existing landline number. This allows you to continue using the same number that friends, family and businesses already know.
Can I use my existing phone?
Usually, yes. Many existing home telephones can still be used with a VoIP service, although you may need a VoIP adapter if your phone doesn’t connect directly to your broadband router or phone service.
Does VoIP work with full fibre broadband?
Yes. In fact, full fibre broadband is ideal for VoIP services. It provides a fast, reliable internet connection that delivers excellent call quality, making it a popular choice for modern digital home phone services.
Can I switch broadband without changing my phone number?
Yes, provided your phone service is separate from your broadband provider and your number has been successfully ported. Keeping your phone and broadband independent can make it much easier to change broadband providers in the future without affecting your home phone number.
Is call quality as good as a traditional landline?
For most people, yes. With a stable broadband connection, VoIP calls are typically as clear as — and often clearer than — traditional landline calls. Call quality depends largely on the reliability of your internet connection.
What happens if my broadband goes down?
Because VoIP uses your internet connection, your home phone won’t be able to make or receive calls while your broadband is unavailable. Similarly, during a power cut, your phone service won’t usually work unless you have backup power for your broadband equipment. If maintaining phone access during outages is important, it’s worth discussing the available options with your phone provider.
Choose the Setup That Works Best for You
You no longer have to buy your broadband and home phone service from the same provider. Thanks to digital phone technology, you can choose the broadband package that offers the best speed and value, while using a separate VoIP provider for your home phone.
This flexibility gives you more control over your monthly costs, access to the calling features you want, and the freedom to switch broadband providers in the future without having to rethink your phone service every time.
If you’re looking for a simple, reliable way to keep your home phone without being tied to a broadband bundle, Plexatalk could be the ideal solution. Because it works over your existing internet connection, you can enjoy a modern home phone service with the broadband provider of your choice.