Can You Have a Landline Without Broadband in the UK?

Can You Have a Landline Without Broadband?

Yes, it is still possible to have a landline without broadband in the UK, but the options are becoming more limited as the old telephone network is phased out.

The traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), including services provided through Wholesale Line Rental (WLR), is being retired. BT plans to switch off its PSTN by 31 January 2027, and new analogue WLR services have already been subject to a nationwide stop-sell.

BT does have an interim solution for some existing landline-only customers. Its consumer service is called Home Phone Standard and allows customers without BT broadband to keep using their existing telephone and number without installing a router or taking broadband. The underlying Pre-Digital Phone Line (PDPL) technology is intended as a transitional solution rather than the long-term replacement for traditional landlines.

For most households, the long-term alternative is VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), where calls travel over an internet connection instead of the old telephone network. VoIP therefore requires internet access, but your broadband and VoIP services do not have to come from the same provider. For many households, switching to VoIP now is the more future-proof option rather than relying on a transitional landline service.

Can You Still Get a Landline Without Broadband?

Yes, but it depends on what you mean by a landline.

If you genuinely don’t have broadband, your options are now limited. BT is moving existing landline-only customers onto Home Phone Standard, which lets them continue using a home phone without taking broadband. However, this is a transitional service designed to keep certain existing customers connected while the old network is retired, rather than a straightforward replacement for the traditional landline that new customers can necessarily order. (bt.com)

The reason is that the UK’s traditional PSTN/WLR telephone system is being withdrawn. Openreach stopped selling new analogue phone lines nationally in September 2023, and BT Group plans to retire the PSTN by 31 January 2027. (openreach.com)

The situation is different if you already have broadband but simply don’t want your broadband provider’s phone service. You can use an independent VoIP provider instead. Your internet connection might come from BT, EE, Virgin Media or another ISP, while your home phone service comes from a separate VoIP provider such as Plexatalk.

Option	Broadband required?	Availability	Long-term option?
Traditional PSTN/WLR landline	No	No new analogue lines; existing services being retired	No
BT Home Phone Standard	No	For eligible/existing BT customers being migrated	Transitional
Independent VoIP	Yes	Widely available with a suitable internet connection	Yes

So, if you already have broadband, moving to VoIP is generally the more future-proof choice rather than trying to obtain or retain a traditional analogue landline.

Why Are Traditional Landlines Being Switched Off?

The UK’s traditional landline system is based on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). It has carried home and business phone calls for decades, with much of the equipment used by the current network dating back to the 1980s.

That technology is now reaching the end of its useful life. The PSTN is becoming harder and more expensive to maintain, with ageing equipment and replacement parts increasingly difficult to source. Ofcom says the network also needs replacing to ensure reliable home phone services can continue in the future.

At the same time, the UK’s wider telecommunications infrastructure has changed significantly. Providers are investing in Full Fibre and other modern networks, which are designed primarily to carry data using Internet Protocol (IP). Full Fibre connections don’t support traditional PSTN telephone services in the same way as the old copper network.

Rather than maintaining two separate systems indefinitely, telephone services are therefore moving onto the same type of IP-based infrastructure used for internet data.

For home phone users, this means traditional analogue calls are being replaced by VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), sometimes marketed as a “digital phone” or “digital voice” service. Instead of your voice call travelling through the old PSTN, it is converted into digital data and carried over an internet connection.

BT plans to retire its PSTN by 31 January 2027, and providers using the Openreach network are moving customers to digital alternatives ahead of that deadline.

Importantly, landline phone numbers aren’t being abolished. It’s the underlying technology used to provide the service that’s changing. You can still have a home telephone number and make and receive calls much as before — they’ll simply be carried over a digital network instead.

What Is the PSTN?

PSTN stands for Public Switched Telephone Network. It is the traditional telephone network that has been used to provide landline calls in the UK for decades.

With a traditional PSTN landline, your telephone connects to the telephone network through a physical line, historically using copper wiring between your property and the local telephone exchange. The network was built specifically to carry telephone calls, rather than relying on an internet connection.

One useful feature of the traditional PSTN is that the telephone line can receive power from the exchange. This means a basic corded telephone can usually continue working during a power cut at your home — something that isn’t automatically true of a VoIP phone service.

The PSTN shouldn’t be confused with WLR (Wholesale Line Rental). PSTN refers to the underlying traditional telephone network, while WLR is a wholesale service that has allowed communications providers to offer phone services using Openreach’s network.

As the PSTN is retired, traditional analogue calling is being replaced by IP-based telephone services such as VoIP, where calls are carried digitally over an internet connection instead.

What Is WLR?

WLR stands for Wholesale Line Rental. It is a wholesale product that allowed telephone providers to offer traditional landline services to their own customers using Openreach’s infrastructure.

Under WLR, Openreach provided, maintained and repaired the physical telephone line, while another communications provider could sell the phone service under its own brand. WLR3 is the current generation of this Wholesale Line Rental product and includes traditional analogue telephone lines. (btwholesale.com)

It’s important not to use PSTN, WLR and copper as though they all mean the same thing.

The PSTN is the traditional telephone network used to carry analogue calls. WLR is a wholesale product that providers used to supply services over that network. Copper, meanwhile, refers to the physical cabling that has traditionally connected many homes and businesses to the Openreach network.

That distinction matters because the move to digital doesn’t necessarily mean every copper cable will disappear at the same time. Some newer broadband services can continue to use copper for part of the connection without providing a traditional PSTN phone service.

Openreach stopped the national sale of new WLR services in September 2023, and BT Wholesale says products including WLR3 analogue are being withdrawn as part of the move to an all-IP network. The current WLR withdrawal is scheduled for January 2027. (btwholesale.com)

For customers, the practical result is that providers can no longer treat a traditional WLR landline as the default way to supply home phone service. Instead, voice services are moving to IP-based alternatives such as VoIP.

What Is Replacing Traditional Landlines?

Traditional landlines are being replaced by digital phone services that use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Instead of sending your calls through the old PSTN telephone network, VoIP converts your voice into digital data and carries it over an internet connection.

For most people, using the phone can still feel much like using a traditional landline. You can have a UK landline number, make and receive calls and, depending on the service, continue using an existing home telephone. The main difference is what happens behind the scenes: the call is travelling over an IP-based connection rather than the traditional PSTN.

You will often hear this replacement described as Digital Voice or a digital landline. These terms can be confusing because Digital Voice isn’t a completely different technology from VoIP. For example, BT’s Digital Voice service uses VoIP to deliver home phone calls through a BT broadband connection. With BT, customers typically connect their telephone to a compatible BT Smart Hub or Digital Voice Adapter rather than the traditional wall telephone socket.

However, you don’t necessarily have to get your phone service from your broadband provider.

An independent VoIP provider can supply your telephone service separately from your internet connection. For example, you could have broadband from one company while using another provider for your home phone service. Depending on the VoIP service and equipment, you may be able to connect a conventional telephone using an adapter, use a dedicated VoIP phone or make calls through an app.

The important requirement is that VoIP needs a suitable internet connection to carry calls. It doesn’t necessarily matter which company provides that connection. This gives households the option to choose their broadband and home phone services separately rather than being tied to their ISP’s own digital phone product.

Do You Need Broadband for VoIP?

Yes. You need an internet connection to use VoIP. Unlike a traditional PSTN landline, which carries calls over the old telephone network, VoIP sends your calls as digital data over an internet connection.

This means that to use a residential VoIP service such as Plexatalk, you need a suitable internet connection at your home. This could be Full Fibre (FTTP), standard fixed broadband, 4G or 5G home broadband, or another reliable internet service such as satellite broadband.

However, your broadband and phone service do not have to come from the same company.

For example, you could have your broadband connection with BT, Sky, Vodafone, Virgin Media or another internet provider, while using Plexatalk separately for your home phone service. Plexatalk works over a reliable internet connection rather than requiring you to take a particular provider’s broadband package.

This is one of the key differences between choosing an independent VoIP provider and simply taking the digital phone service offered by your broadband provider. Your broadband supplies the internet connection, while your VoIP provider supplies your telephone number and calling service.

So, while you cannot use Plexatalk VoIP without an internet connection, you don’t need to change broadband provider simply because you want to move your home phone to Plexatalk.

What If You Don’t Have Broadband at All?

If you don’t have broadband and only want a home telephone, there are still options for some customers, so you won’t necessarily have to give up your landline.

BT, for example, has an interim solution for eligible existing landline-only customers that allows them to continue making calls without installing broadband. However, services of this type are intended to help with the transition away from the PSTN rather than preserve traditional analogue landlines indefinitely.

Ofcom says the number of landline-only customers is shrinking over time and expects landline services eventually to be provided over broadband-based connections.

That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to pay for a full broadband package you don’t want. Ofcom says that if you don’t already have broadband when moving to a digital landline, your provider can supply a connection specifically to support the VoIP phone service.

The important distinction is between having the connection required for digital calling and subscribing to a conventional broadband package for internet use.

If you currently have a landline but no broadband, it’s therefore worth speaking to your existing provider before making any changes. The options available will depend on your provider and circumstances, particularly as the UK moves towards fully digital telephone services.

What Is BT’s Pre-Digital Phone Line (PDPL)?

BT’s Pre-Digital Phone Line (PDPL) is a temporary service designed to help certain customers move away from the PSTN when switching directly to an all-IP service isn’t yet suitable.

Rather than keeping customers connected to the old PSTN, PDPL uses equipment in the telephone exchange to emulate many of the characteristics of a traditional analogue phone line. The service is presented as an analogue connection over the existing copper line to the property, allowing many existing telephones and other compatible analogue devices to continue working without broadband.

BT Wholesale describes PDPL as a bridge between analogue and digital. It is particularly relevant to single-line, voice-only PSTN services and situations involving legacy equipment such as telecare devices, alarms, lift lines, payment terminals and other equipment that may not yet have a suitable IP replacement.

However, PDPL is not a new version of the traditional PSTN and isn’t intended as a permanent alternative to broadband and VoIP. BT explicitly describes it as an interim or temporary solution and says customers should move to an all-IP service wherever possible. Its published customer information currently describes PDPL as a temporary solution running to 2030.

There are also important restrictions. PDPL is designed for migrating existing standalone WLR3/PSTN lines; it isn’t a general replacement for every type of analogue line, and broadband cannot be provided over a PDPL service. BT also warns that it doesn’t perfectly replicate every PSTN feature, so some legacy equipment may need compatibility testing.

In other words, PDPL buys time for customers who can’t yet move fully to IP. The long-term direction remains digital, IP-based telephone services such as VoIP.

Can You Get Broadband on PDPL?

No. You cannot have broadband on a Pre-Digital Phone Line (PDPL).

BT’s documentation states that PDPL is a standalone service and cannot be provided alongside broadband on the same line. That means services such as ADSL and FTTC broadband that use an underlying traditional phone line aren’t eligible to migrate to PDPL.

There is also an important restriction on who can move to PDPL. It isn’t a service that can simply be ordered on any new line. BT Wholesale says that only existing, working standalone WLR3 services have a migration route to PDPL. Stopped lines and WLR3 lines associated with broadband don’t qualify.

This reflects the purpose of PDPL. It is a temporary transitional service for certain customers who need to retain an analogue-style phone line while moving away from the PSTN, rather than a replacement for a combined phone-and-broadband package.

If you need both broadband and a home phone service, the longer-term solution is therefore an IP-based phone service such as VoIP, used over your internet connection. Your broadband and VoIP don’t necessarily have to come from the same provider.

What Is BT Home Phone Standard?

BT Home Phone Standard is BT’s consumer-facing home phone service for certain customers being moved away from the traditional landline network without switching to BT Digital Voice.

For existing BT customers who have a landline but no broadband, BT says it is upgrading their service to Home Phone Standard. Customers can keep their existing phone number and continue using their existing telephone, without installing broadband or connecting their phone to a router. The main noticeable change is that the full area code must be dialled for all outgoing calls, including local numbers.

Home Phone Standard shouldn’t, however, be confused with keeping an old-fashioned PSTN service indefinitely. It is part of BT’s arrangements for moving customers away from its retiring traditional telephone network.

BT also describes a less common arrangement for customers who need both home phone and broadband but can’t yet move to its usual fibre broadband and Digital Voice setup. In this situation, BT Home Phone Standard can remain on one line while broadband is supplied separately by EE over another line. The phone stays connected to its original wall socket rather than the new broadband socket.

This is quite different from BT Digital Voice, where the telephone service runs through the customer’s BT broadband connection and hub.

For customers considering their longer-term options, Home Phone Standard is therefore best understood as part of BT’s transition away from traditional landlines, rather than evidence that conventional PSTN landlines will continue indefinitely.

Can I Have Broadband From One Company and My Home Phone From Another?

Yes. Your broadband and home phone service don’t have to come from the same company.

With an independent VoIP provider, your broadband connection simply provides the internet access needed to carry your calls. Your VoIP provider supplies the telephone service separately.

For example, you could have:

• Plusnet broadband + Plexatalk home phone
• EE broadband + Plexatalk home phone
• Sky broadband + Plexatalk home phone
• Starlink internet + Plexatalk home phone

Plexatalk works with any reliable internet connection, including fibre broadband, 4G/5G and satellite connections such as Starlink.

This can be particularly useful if you’re happy with your current broadband provider but it doesn’t offer the home phone service you want. Plusnet, for example, says its newer broadband-only packages don’t provide a phone line service. Rather than changing broadband provider simply to get a home phone, you can potentially keep your broadband and use an independent VoIP provider for calls instead.

Separating the two services can also make it easier to switch broadband providers in the future. Your phone service and number aren’t tied to your ISP’s broadband package, so you can shop around for a different internet provider without necessarily having to move your VoIP service at the same time.

With Plexatalk, you can also port an existing UK landline number to the VoIP service, subject to successful number porting, or choose a new number. If you want to continue using a traditional home telephone handset, this can usually be connected using a compatible VoIP adapter.

One important precaution: don’t cancel an existing phone or broadband service before checking how transferring your number will affect it. Porting a number away from some bundled or legacy services can trigger other changes, so it’s best to arrange the transfer before cancelling anything.

Can I Keep My Existing Landline Number?

Yes, in most cases you can keep your existing landline number when moving to VoIP. The process is known as number porting: your existing telephone number is transferred from your current provider to your new VoIP provider, so friends, family and other contacts can continue calling the same number.

Plexatalk can port existing UK landline numbers to its residential VoIP service, subject to the number being eligible and the port completing successfully. Once transferred, calls to your old landline number are delivered through Plexatalk over your internet connection rather than through your previous phone service.

If keeping your number is important, don’t cancel your existing phone service before arranging the port. The safest approach is to request the transfer while the existing service is still active and wait for confirmation of how the switch will be handled. Ofcom also recommends checking with your existing provider if your phone and broadband are linked, as transferring the landline number can sometimes affect the associated broadband service.

Already cancelled? You may still be able to recover and port the number: Ofcom says you can normally request to keep it for up to one month after the old service ends.

Want to keep your current number? Check with Plexatalk whether your landline number can be moved to our Home VoIP service before cancelling your existing service.

Can I Continue Using My Existing Home Phone?

Yes, in most cases you can continue using your existing home phone when you switch to VoIP. You don’t necessarily need to replace familiar corded phones or a DECT cordless phone system.

The usual solution is an Analogue Telephone Adapter (ATA), sometimes simply called a VoIP adapter. This is a small powered device that converts the analogue signals used by a traditional telephone into the digital data required for VoIP.

The setup is straightforward:

Existing analogue or DECT phone → VoIP adapter → broadband router → internet → Plexatalk

If you have a DECT cordless system with several handsets, you would normally connect the DECT base station to the adapter. Your cordless handsets can then remain paired with the base and continue to be used around your home as before.

It’s worth noting that an ATA is an electronic device, not simply a plug converter. It needs power and connects to your router, usually by Ethernet. Plexatalk can supply a preconfigured adapter, so you don’t need to enter SIP usernames, passwords or other technical settings yourself.

Some specialist or older telephone equipment may require compatibility checking, but most households can continue using their existing phones.

For more information, see our guide to VoIP adapters and whether you need one

What Happens to a VoIP Phone During a Power Cut?

Unlike a traditional PSTN landline, a standard VoIP setup will not normally work during a power cut. Your broadband router, VoIP adapter (ATA) and, depending on your setup, telephone equipment all require electricity. If they lose power, your VoIP phone service cannot make or receive calls through that connection.

Traditional corded PSTN phones were different because the telephone line could receive power from the local exchange, allowing a basic corded phone to continue working during many household power cuts. (ofcom.org.uk)

There are ways to add resilience to VoIP. A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) or suitable battery backup can keep equipment such as your router and VoIP adapter powered for a period of time. Other options can include using a mobile phone or arranging call forwarding to another number if your home connection becomes unavailable.

If you rely on your home phone for emergencies, make sure you have an appropriate backup arrangement in place.

For more detail, see our guide to using VoIP during a power cut.

So, Do You Need Broadband to Have a Landline?

Strictly speaking, no — you don’t always need broadband to have a landline in the UK today. Some existing landline-only customers can continue using transitional services, including arrangements such as BT Home Phone Standard and the underlying solutions designed to support the move away from the PSTN.

However, these shouldn’t be mistaken for the future of home phone services. The UK’s traditional telephone network is being retired, and digital, IP-based calling is replacing it. Ofcom expects landline services eventually to be provided over broadband-based connections.

If you choose VoIP or Digital Voice, you need a suitable internet connection because your calls are carried digitally rather than over the traditional PSTN.

The good news is that your broadband and home phone don’t have to be supplied by the same company. If you already have a reliable internet connection, you can potentially keep your existing broadband provider and choose an independent VoIP provider such as Plexatalk for your home phone.

That gives you greater flexibility, particularly if your broadband provider doesn’t offer a phone service or its own Digital Voice product isn’t suitable for you.

Ready to move your home phone away from the old landline network? Explore Plexatalk Home VoIP and find out how to keep your existing landline number while using the broadband connection you already have.

Landline Without Broadband – FAQs