Plexatalk and Phonely are both UK digital landline providers that let you make and receive calls over an internet connection rather than a traditional copper telephone line.
But there are some significant differences in how the two services are structured.
Phonely places a strong emphasis on its CallGuard call-protection features and provides a relatively packaged home-phone experience.
Plexatalk takes a more traditional SIP/VoIP approach, with rolling residential plans, optional hardware, support for different types of VoIP equipment and the ability to run your home phone independently of your broadband provider.
That distinction matters if you’re comparing more than just monthly minutes.
In this guide, we’ll compare:
Last checked: October 2026.
| Feature | Plexatalk | Phonely |
|---|---|---|
| Type of service | Independent SIP/VoIP provider | Independent digital landline/VoIP provider |
| Residential price | From £4/month | From £9.97/month |
| Entry allowance | 100 UK minutes | 1,600 UK minutes |
| 500-minute option | £10/month | Not currently offered |
| Unlimited option | £12.50/month | CallGuard plans include unlimited calls |
| Unlimited fair-use policy | 2,000 minutes/month | Fair-use policy applies |
| Residential minimum term | Rolling monthly; 30 days’ notice | 18 months currently advertised |
| Entry-plan setup fee | £15 on Micro and Basic | Check current plan/order terms |
| Number porting | Included | Available |
| Existing analogue handset | Yes, with ATA | Yes, with compatible adapter |
| Plexatalk ATA | Optional, £50 one-off | — |
| Phonely adapter | — | Included on some plans/payment options |
| Bring your own SIP hardware | Supported on Plexatalk SIP services | Phonely says it cannot guarantee or support third-party equipment |
| SIP credentials / softphones | Supported; authentication details can be requested | Not prominently advertised as a residential feature |
| Call forwarding | Included | Check current plan/features |
| Voicemail | Included | Included |
| Caller ID | Included | Included |
| 141 number withholding | Yes | Yes |
| Works independently of ISP | Yes | Yes |
| Starlink | Yes | Yes |
| Three 4G/5G broadband | Yes | Phonely states it works across broadband providers; check your particular setup |
| Fibre/FTTP | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile VoIP apps | Supported using SIP credentials | Not prominently marketed for residential service |
| TLS documented publicly | Yes, where configured | We could not find equivalent public residential technical documentation |
| CallGuard-style protection | No equivalent product | Available on CallGuard plans |
| UK-based support | Yes | Yes |
Prices and product details can change, so always check the provider’s current pricing and terms before ordering.
The easiest way to understand the difference isn’t actually price.
It’s how much control you want over your telephone service.
Phonely is designed to make digital voice feel like a packaged replacement for a traditional home telephone. You select a plan, use compatible equipment and Phonely handles the telephone service.
Its higher-tier CallGuard offering adds a substantial collection of call screening, recording, notification and trusted-person features.
Plexatalk comes from the other direction.
We operate a SIP-based VoIP service. That means you can take the straightforward route and use a preconfigured adapter with your existing telephone, but you’re not necessarily limited to that setup.
Depending on your requirements, Plexatalk can be used with:
For someone who simply wants their old telephone to ring, most of this technology can remain invisible.
For someone who understands VoIP—or wants more control later—it can make a considerable difference.
Plexatalk currently offers four main residential packages.
Includes 100 UK landline and mobile minutes.
There is currently a £15 connection and activation fee.
Includes 250 UK landline and mobile minutes.
There is currently a £15 connection and activation fee.
Includes 500 UK landline and mobile minutes with no connection fee.
Includes UK landline and mobile calling subject to a 2,000-minute monthly fair-use policy.
There is currently no connection fee.
Plexatalk also publishes out-of-bundle rates of 2p/minute for UK landlines and 5p/minute for UK mobiles.
An optional preconfigured Grandstream VoIP adapter is £50 one-off if you want to continue using a conventional telephone.
Phonely’s entry Digital Landline plan is currently advertised at £9.97/month, increasing to £11.97 on 1 April 2027, and includes 1,600 UK minutes.
Its CallGuard plan is currently advertised at £14.98/month, increasing to £16.98 on 1 April 2027, with unlimited UK calls subject to its fair-use terms.
CallGuard+ is currently advertised at £29/month, increasing to £31 from 1 April 2027.
CallGuard plans include additional services such as call screening, automatic blocking, recording, alerts, transcription and trusted-person functionality.
Those features may be valuable to some households. But if you’re primarily looking for a telephone service rather than a monitoring/protection platform, it’s worth comparing the underlying phone functionality separately.
This is one of the largest practical differences between the two providers.
Plexatalk’s current Home VoIP packages are rolling monthly.
There is no minimum residential contract term and customers are asked to provide 30 days’ notice.
That’s particularly useful if you’re trying VoIP for the first time or don’t want your telephone tied to a long-term agreement.
It’s important not to confuse these residential packages with other Plexatalk products.
Some business call packages have 12-month minimum terms, and promotional hardware bundles can have longer commitments. Always compare the contract attached to the particular product you’re buying.
Phonely’s current residential pricing pages advertise an 18-month contract.
Its terms also state that services may have a minimum period of up to 18 months and that cancelling during that minimum period can result in the remaining amount becoming payable.
So if flexibility is important, contract length deserves as much attention as the monthly charge.
Yes—with either provider, an ordinary analogue telephone can generally continue to be used with the appropriate VoIP adapter.
With Plexatalk, an optional preconfigured Grandstream ATA is currently available for £50.
The adapter sits between your broadband router and telephone:
Internet → Router → VoIP adapter → Existing telephone
Your phone can then behave much as it did on a conventional landline.
Phonely similarly supplies compatible VoIP adapter equipment depending on the package/payment arrangement.
There’s therefore no need to replace a perfectly good DECT cordless phone simply because the underlying telephone network has changed.
This is an area where the services differ more significantly.
Plexatalk’s wider VoIP service explicitly supports bring-your-own SIP hardware, provided the equipment supports the necessary SIP configuration.
Plexatalk also publishes connection information for third-party VoIP applications and discusses providing configuration details for customers’ own equipment.
That potentially gives technically confident customers considerably more choice.
You might use:
Compatibility should still be confirmed before buying equipment.
Phonely’s terms take a different approach.
They state that Phonely is responsible for and supports equipment it supplies, and that it cannot guarantee its services will work with other equipment.
That’s not necessarily a disadvantage for somebody who wants a completely managed home-phone replacement.
But technically confident users wanting to select and configure their own SIP equipment should establish exactly what Phonely permits and supports before signing up.
This catches a lot of people out.
A router having a telephone socket does not automatically mean that socket can be used with an independent VoIP provider.
Routers supplied by broadband companies such as BT, Sky, EE and Virgin Media may have telephone ports provisioned specifically for that provider’s own Digital Voice service.
The SIP configuration may not be available to the customer.
In that situation, an independent ATA or SIP phone is normally the cleaner solution.
Instead of:
Telephone → ISP’s locked phone socket
you can have:
Telephone → Plexatalk ATA → Router → Internet
Your telephone provider and broadband provider are then separate.
Yes.
This is one of the useful applications for an independent VoIP service.
Three Home Broadband provides the internet connection while Plexatalk provides the telephone service separately.
Your setup can therefore look like:
Three 4G/5G → Three router → Plexatalk ATA/SIP phone → Home telephone
Or you can use compatible VoIP software over the connection.
This means moving away from traditional broadband doesn’t automatically mean abandoning your existing landline number.
Plexatalk specifically publishes information for customers moving to Three and other 4G/5G broadband services.
As with any mobile broadband connection, call performance ultimately depends on the quality and stability of the underlying 4G/5G connection.
Yes.
Plexatalk specifically supports using VoIP over Starlink.
Starlink provides internet access but does not provide a conventional UK landline service.
Plexatalk can sit independently on top of that connection.
You can therefore use:
Starlink → Router/network → Plexatalk ATA → Existing telephone
or connect a compatible SIP telephone or VoIP application.
This can be particularly useful in rural properties where Starlink replaces an older broadband and landline package.
Your telephone number isn’t tied to Starlink either.
If you later move from Starlink to fibre, 5G or another broadband service, the Plexatalk account can continue independently.
Phonely also specifically advertises Starlink-compatible VoIP, so Starlink compatibility isn’t unique to Plexatalk.
Because Plexatalk is an independent internet telephone service, it isn’t normally tied to one broadband company.
Plexatalk publishes information about using the service when moving between providers and technologies including:
The important requirement isn’t the logo on the router.
It’s having a sufficiently stable internet connection and a network configuration that allows the VoIP equipment to communicate correctly.
Phonely similarly markets its service as working independently of your broadband supplier.
So both providers have an advantage over ISP-specific Digital Voice services if you want to change broadband without automatically changing telephone provider.
With an independent VoIP provider, usually very little.
Suppose you have Plexatalk running over Three 5G today and decide to install full fibre next year.
Your number remains with Plexatalk.
You reconnect the ATA or SIP telephone to the new internet connection and continue using the telephone service.
You don’t need to port the number again simply because your internet supplier changed.
That’s one of the less obvious benefits of separating internet access from telephone service.
Technical comparisons should be careful here because terms such as “encrypted VoIP” can refer to several different parts of a call.
There are two technologies commonly discussed:
TLS (Transport Layer Security) can protect SIP signalling between compatible endpoints and the VoIP platform.
SRTP (Secure Real-time Transport Protocol) can encrypt the audio/media portion of a compatible VoIP call.
They are not the same thing.
Plexatalk publicly documents TLS in its technical guides.
Our connection documentation describes UDP, TCP and TLS transport options and states that TLS can be selected where the service has been configured for secure SIP over TLS.
We also discuss using TLS as one method of avoiding problematic SIP ALG behaviour, and pairing TLS with SRTP where supported.
That doesn’t mean every Plexatalk residential call should be assumed to use end-to-end encryption.
The precise configuration depends on the service, endpoint and route involved.
If encrypted signalling or media is important to you, ask us about your particular configuration.
At the time this comparison was checked, we couldn’t find an equivalent public-facing Phonely residential document clearly specifying customer-accessible SIP transport options such as UDP/TCP/TLS or SRTP configuration.
That doesn’t mean Phonely doesn’t use encryption internally.
It simply means we don’t think it would be fair to make assumptions where the technical specification isn’t publicly stated.
Customers for whom TLS/SRTP is an important requirement should ask either provider to confirm exactly what is supported.
Here’s another subject most consumer comparison pages completely ignore.
VoIP has to operate through your router’s NAT and firewall.
Some routers have a feature called SIP ALG, intended to help SIP traffic pass through NAT.
Unfortunately, implementations vary, and SIP ALG can sometimes cause problems including:
Plexatalk publishes technical guidance covering SIP ALG and troubleshooting.
TLS can sometimes also help because the router can no longer inspect and alter encrypted SIP signalling in the same way.
Mobile and satellite connections can additionally use technologies such as CGNAT.
That doesn’t automatically make VoIP unusable—Plexatalk specifically supports services such as Three 5G and Starlink—but it makes good NAT handling and correct VoIP configuration more important.
For most home users, we’ll handle the technical side.
For technical users, however, it’s worth knowing what’s happening underneath.
Plexatalk supports third-party SIP applications such as Zoiper.
Authentication details can be requested where appropriate, allowing compatible software to register to the VoIP service.
That can mean your landline number isn’t necessarily confined to a telephone sitting in your hallway.
Depending on configuration, you can use a compatible VoIP client over Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Plexatalk does not currently rely on a proprietary Plexatalk-branded calling app; instead, it can work with compatible SIP software.
For some customers that’s less “all in one”.
For others it’s exactly the point: you’re using an open, established VoIP ecosystem rather than being tied to one manufacturer’s app.
Both providers support transferring existing telephone numbers.
Plexatalk includes UK number porting with its residential plans.
After ordering, we’ll collect the information required for the transfer and provide the relevant Letter of Authority.
A straightforward port commonly takes around a week, while previously ported or more complicated numbers can take longer.
The most important advice is simple:
Don’t cancel your existing telephone service before arranging the number transfer.
Doing so can make recovering the number substantially more difficult.
Phonely also supports number porting.
Plexatalk’s residential packages are unusual in that inclusive minutes can also cover selected international destinations.
The current residential page states that inclusive minutes cover more than 60 international destinations, with examples including the USA, Canada and Australia.
Check the current destination list before assuming a particular country is included.
Phonely supports international calling too, with rates varying by destination.
If you regularly telephone another country, don’t compare providers using UK minutes alone—calculate the likely international cost as well.
Neither Plexatalk nor Phonely magically restores the old copper landline’s ability to operate independently of household broadband equipment.
VoIP needs:
If your router and ATA lose power, the physical home telephone won’t operate through them.
Plexatalk offers some alternative approaches.
Calls can be forwarded to a mobile, and compatible SIP apps can potentially operate using mobile data if your home broadband is unavailable.
A UPS can also keep a router and ATA powered for a period during a local electricity outage.
Anyone who relies on a landline for a telecare device, medical alarm, lift phone, burglar alarm or other critical equipment should confirm compatibility with the equipment provider before switching.
Rolling residential plans
The standard residential packages have no minimum contract period and require 30 days’ notice.
Plans from £4/month
Light users don’t have to buy hundreds or thousands of minutes they won’t use.
Independent of your broadband provider
You can move between fibre, cable, 4G/5G, Starlink and other internet providers without automatically moving the telephone service.
Flexible hardware
Use an ATA and conventional phone, compatible SIP phone or—in supported configurations—your own SIP hardware.
Mobile/softphone support
SIP credentials can be used with compatible third-party applications where configured.
Published technical information
Plexatalk publishes information about SIP, TLS, SIP ALG and configuring third-party VoIP clients.
Free number porting on residential packages
You can transfer an eligible existing UK landline number.
Selected international destinations included
Current home packages include selected international destinations within the allowance.
Adapter isn’t automatically free
If you need Plexatalk’s preconfigured ATA, it currently costs £50 one-off.
£15 activation on the two cheapest plans
Micro and Basic currently carry a connection/activation charge.
Unlimited doesn’t literally mean infinite
The Unlimited residential package has a 2,000-minute monthly fair-use limit.
More flexibility can mean more technical choice
Customers who deliberately choose their own SIP equipment may need to configure it. Customers who don’t want that can simply order a preconfigured adapter.
No equivalent to Phonely CallGuard
If features such as trusted-person alerts, live call joining and Phonely’s specialist call-protection ecosystem are your main priority, CallGuard offers functionality Plexatalk’s standard home service isn’t designed to replicate.
Large entry-plan allowance
The £9.97 Digital Landline plan currently includes 1,600 UK minutes, which could suit households making substantially more calls than Plexatalk’s smaller plans.
Packaged setup
Phonely is strongly geared towards customers wanting a straightforward replacement home-phone service rather than configuring SIP equipment themselves.
CallGuard
Its specialist plans offer an extensive collection of call screening, recording, alerting and trusted-person functionality.
Independent of broadband supplier
Like Plexatalk, Phonely isn’t tied to one ISP.
Starlink support
Phonely specifically advertises compatibility with Starlink broadband.
18-month commitment
Current Phonely residential plans advertise an 18-month contract, compared with Plexatalk’s rolling residential service.
Less emphasis on customer-configurable SIP
Phonely’s terms say it cannot guarantee compatibility with third-party equipment and only supports equipment it supplies.
Technical SIP details aren’t as prominent
We couldn’t find comparable public residential documentation detailing customer SIP configuration and TLS/SRTP options.
Entry pricing can be less attractive for light users
Someone making only 50 or 100 minutes of calls each month may not need a 1,600-minute allowance.
It depends on how you use your telephone.
Someone making fewer than 100 minutes of calls could pay £4/month on Plexatalk Micro, although the £15 activation fee and any required hardware should be included when calculating the first-year cost.
Someone using 200 minutes could choose the £6 Basic package.
Someone making around 500 minutes could choose Standard for £10.
A heavier caller could choose Plexatalk Unlimited for £12.50, subject to its 2,000-minute fair-use limit.
Phonely’s £9.97 entry package includes substantially more minutes—1,600—so comparing £4 with £9.97 without comparing the allowances would be misleading.
The better calculation is:
monthly service + setup + hardware + expected calls + contract commitment
rather than monthly subscription alone.
You want your telephone service separate from your broadband.
You prefer a rolling monthly residential service.
You make relatively few calls and want a low-cost package.
You want to use Starlink, Three 4G/5G or another internet-only connection while keeping a landline number.
You want the option of using SIP-compatible equipment.
You want to use a third-party VoIP app.
You prefer a provider that publishes more information about the underlying VoIP technology.
Or you simply want an ordinary home telephone without paying for a larger feature package.
You want a larger inclusive allowance on the entry package.
You prefer provider-supplied equipment and a more managed setup.
You specifically want CallGuard’s screening, recording, notification or trusted-person functionality.
You don’t mind an 18-month minimum commitment.
And you aren’t particularly interested in configuring your own SIP endpoints.
Plexatalk and Phonely can both replace a traditional UK landline, let you retain an eligible existing number and operate independently of your broadband supplier.
But they approach digital voice differently.
Phonely offers a more packaged home-phone product, with its strongest differentiation coming from CallGuard.
Plexatalk is closer to a flexible, independent SIP telephone service.
Our residential plans start at £4/month and are rolling monthly. You can keep things simple with a preconfigured adapter and your existing telephone, or use compatible SIP hardware and software where appropriate.
Plexatalk also works particularly well when your internet connection doesn’t come with a traditional telephone service—whether that’s Starlink, Three 4G/5G, EE 5G, Plusnet Full Fibre, CityFibre, Hyperoptic or another FTTP provider.
And because the phone service isn’t tied to the broadband company, changing internet provider doesn’t mean changing your telephone provider again.
That’s the difference we think matters most.
Not simply who offers the cheapest headline price.
But who gives you the telephone system, contract and level of flexibility that actually fits the way you want to use your home phone.
Plexatalk residential packages currently start at £4/month for 100 minutes, while Phonely’s Digital Landline starts at £9.97/month with 1,600 UK minutes.
They’re therefore not directly equivalent packages. Compare the number of minutes you actually use, any setup or hardware costs and the minimum contract period.
Plexatalk’s current residential Home VoIP packages are rolling monthly with no minimum term and 30 days’ notice.
Other Plexatalk business products and hardware promotions can have minimum terms, so check the particular product you’re ordering.
Phonely’s current residential pricing page states an 18-month contract.
Yes. Plexatalk VoIP can operate over Three 4G/5G broadband, subject to having a sufficiently stable internet connection.
Yes. Plexatalk specifically supports VoIP over Starlink and publishes guidance for Starlink customers who want to retain their landline number.
Yes. Phonely also specifically advertises a Starlink-compatible VoIP service.
Yes. Plexatalk’s telephone service is independent of your broadband provider.
Usually, yes. An analogue telephone can connect through an ATA. Plexatalk currently offers a preconfigured Grandstream adapter for £50 one-off.
Plexatalk supports SIP-compatible equipment on applicable services. Check your particular device with us before purchasing equipment specifically for the service.
Yes. Plexatalk publishes configuration instructions for third-party SIP applications including Zoiper, and authentication details can be requested where appropriate.
Plexatalk publicly documents SIP over TLS and describes TLS as available where a service is configured for it. Support should not be interpreted as meaning every endpoint or call automatically uses TLS/SRTP. Contact us if encrypted signalling or media is a specific requirement.
We couldn’t find a clear public residential specification detailing customer TLS/SRTP support when this article was checked. That doesn’t establish that Phonely doesn’t use these technologies; customers requiring them should ask Phonely for its current technical specification.
Both providers offer number porting. Plexatalk currently includes porting with its residential Home VoIP plans.
No. Arrange the number transfer before cancelling the existing service. Cancelling first can make retaining or recovering the number more difficult.
The ATA/router setup requires electricity and a working internet connection. Options such as mobile call forwarding, a SIP app using mobile data or a UPS can provide additional resilience.
Some equipment can work over VoIP and some legacy devices cannot. Always ask the alarm, telecare or device provider to confirm compatibility and test critical equipment before relying on a digital phone service.
The Cisco 190 Series ATA is an analogue telephone adapter (ATA) that allows you to connect a traditional analogue telephone, fax machine or other compatible analogue device to the Plexatalk SIP telephone service.
This guide explains how to connect your Cisco ATA, find its IP address, access its configuration page and enter the SIP account details supplied by Plexatalk.
This guide covers the following Cisco multiplatform models:
Before you begin, you’ll need the SIP account details supplied by Plexatalk:
1000Enter these details exactly as supplied. SIP passwords are case-sensitive.
You’ll also need:
Connect an Ethernet cable between the NETWORK port on the Cisco ATA and your router or network.
Connect your analogue telephone to the PHONE 1 port.
If you have a Cisco ATA 192 and are configuring a second line, a second analogue device can be connected to PHONE 2.
Connect the ATA’s power supply and allow the device a few minutes to start.
Before you can configure the ATA, you need to find its IP address.
Pick up the handset of the analogue telephone connected to the ATA.
Dial:
****
This opens the ATA’s Interactive Voice Response (IVR) menu.
Then dial:
110#
The ATA will read its current IP address aloud.
For example, you might hear:
192.168.1.123
Make a note of the IP address.
The address will normally begin with something such as 192.168. or 10. depending on how your network is configured.
If the ATA reports an address beginning with 169. or reports 0.0.0.0, it has probably not received a valid IP address from your network. Check the Ethernet connection and your router or network configuration before continuing.
Using a computer, tablet or phone connected to the same network as the Cisco ATA, open a web browser.
Enter the IP address you obtained in the previous step into the browser’s address bar.
For example:
http://192.168.1.123
The Cisco ATA configuration page should appear.
If the page doesn’t open, check that:
Sign in to the ATA’s administration interface.
If the ATA is new, has been factory reset or hasn’t previously been configured, its default administrator credentials may be:
Username: admin
Password: admin
If these credentials don’t work, the administrator password may previously have been changed.
If the ATA came from another telephone provider, that provider may also have changed or restricted access to the device.
Don’t confuse the password used to access the Cisco configuration page with the SIP Password supplied by Plexatalk.
The administrator password gives you access to the ATA’s settings.
Your Plexatalk SIP Password allows the ATA to register with our telephone service.
They are not interchangeable.
Once logged in, switch to the ATA’s advanced or administrator configuration view if required and locate the settings for Voice and Line 1.
The exact wording displayed can vary slightly depending on the Cisco ATA model and firmware version.
Enter the SIP account information supplied by Plexatalk.
Locate the Proxy or SIP server setting and enter the SIP Server supplied by us.
For example:
Proxy: your supplied SIP server
Do not add http:// or https:// unless we have specifically instructed you to do so.
Locate the User ID setting and enter the extension supplied by Plexatalk.
For example:
User ID: 1000
If the ATA provides a separate authentication or Auth ID field, enter your supplied extension unless Plexatalk has provided a different authentication ID.
For example:
Auth ID: 1000
Locate the Password setting and enter the SIP Password supplied by Plexatalk.
Password: your supplied SIP password
Remember that SIP passwords are case-sensitive.
Be careful not to enter the ATA’s administrator password in this field.
Locate the SIP transport or connection setting for the line.
Set this to the Connection Type supplied by Plexatalk:
The transport must match the connection type supplied with your Plexatalk SIP account. Selecting a different transport can prevent the ATA from registering.
Unless Plexatalk has supplied additional configuration information, leave other SIP settings at their existing or default values.
Save or submit your changes using the option provided in the Cisco configuration interface.
Allow the ATA a short time to apply the new settings and connect to Plexatalk.
The device may restart after its configuration is saved.
Once it has finished, pick up the connected telephone and check for a dial tone.
Try making an outgoing call.
Check that the analogue telephone is connected securely to PHONE 1.
Make sure the ATA is powered on and that the Ethernet cable is connected securely between its NETWORK port and your router or network.
If the ATA has registered successfully but there is still no dial tone, try another analogue telephone or telephone cable if available.
Check the SIP configuration carefully.
In particular, confirm that:
After correcting any settings, save the configuration and give the ATA a short time to register again.
Your ATA needs a valid local IP address before it can connect to the Internet and the Plexatalk service.
Check that the Ethernet cable is connected to the NETWORK port.
Connect an analogue telephone to PHONE 1, pick up the handset and dial:
****
Then dial:
110#
The ATA will read its current IP address aloud.
An address such as 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x will normally indicate that the ATA has obtained a local network address.
If the address begins with 169. or is 0.0.0.0, the ATA has probably not received a valid address from your router.
Check the Ethernet cable and router connection. If necessary, restart the router and ATA.
If your Cisco ATA was previously supplied or configured by another VoIP provider, it may still contain that provider’s provisioning information.
This can cause the ATA to reconnect to the previous provider or overwrite settings you enter manually.
If this happens, contact the previous provider and ask them to remove the device from their provisioning platform.
They may ask you for information including:
If you purchased the ATA secondhand, you may need assistance from the previous provider or Cisco before it can be used with another SIP service.
A factory reset should normally be a last resort, as it completely removes the existing configuration from the ATA.
Before resetting the device, make sure you have the Plexatalk SIP account details needed to configure it again.
To perform a factory reset through the Cisco web interface:
**** followed by 110#.After the factory reset, follow this guide again and enter the SIP details supplied by Plexatalk.
Important: A factory reset erases the ATA’s existing settings and customisations.
If the ATA automatically reconnects to a previous provider after being factory reset, it may still be linked to that provider’s remote provisioning system. Contact the previous provider to have the device removed.
If you’ve followed the steps above and your Cisco ATA still won’t connect, please contact Plexatalk Support.
When contacting us, it helps if you can provide:
Do not send us your SIP Password unless a member of our support team specifically requests it through an appropriate support channel.
We’ll then be able to help you get connected.
The Grandstream HT801 V2 is an analogue telephone adapter (ATA) that allows you to connect a traditional analogue telephone to our SIP telephone service.
This guide will walk you through connecting your HT801 V2, finding its IP address, logging into the configuration page, and entering the SIP account details supplied by us.
Before you begin, you’ll need the SIP account details we have supplied to you:
1000Please enter these details exactly as supplied. In particular, passwords are case-sensitive.
You’ll also need:
First, connect the HT801 V2 to your network.
Connect an Ethernet cable between the network/Ethernet port on the HT801 V2 and your router or network.
Next, connect your analogue telephone to the PHONE socket on the HT801 V2.
Finally, connect the power supply.
Allow the HT801 V2 a few minutes to start up before continuing.
To configure the adapter, you’ll first need to find its IP address.
Pick up the telephone connected to the HT801 V2 and dial:
***
You should hear a voice prompt asking you to enter a menu option.
Dial:
02
The HT801 V2 will read its current IP address aloud.
For example, you might hear:
192.168.1.123
Make a note of this address, as you’ll need it in the next step.
Using a computer, tablet or phone connected to the same network as the HT801 V2, open your web browser.
Enter the IP address you obtained in the previous step into the browser’s address bar.
For example:
Your browser may display a security or privacy warning when connecting directly to the adapter. If this happens, use your browser’s option to continue to the device.
You should then see the Grandstream login page.
The password required at this stage is not the SIP password supplied by us.
The HT801 V2 has its own administrator password, which can be found on the label on the underside of the adapter.
Look for the device’s admin/password information on the label.
At the Grandstream login page, enter:
Username: admin
Password: The administrator password printed on the adapter
Enter the password exactly as printed, including the correct upper and lower-case letters.
It’s easy to confuse the two passwords used during this setup.
The password printed on the HT801 V2 is used to log into the Grandstream configuration page.
The SIP password supplied by us is used later to connect the adapter to our telephone service.
They are not interchangeable.
Once you’ve logged into the Grandstream interface, navigate to:
Port Settings → FXS PORT 1 → General Settings
Under the Account Registration section, enter the SIP details supplied by us.
For example:
Profile Active / Account Active: Enabled / Yes
Primary SIP Server: Your supplied SIP server
SIP User ID: Your supplied extension, e.g. 1000
Authenticate ID: Your supplied extension, e.g. 1000
Authenticate Password: Your supplied SIP password
Unless we have specifically supplied an Outbound Proxy or Failover SIP Server, these fields can normally be left blank.
Other settings should generally be left at their default values unless we have instructed you to change them.
Next, navigate to:
Port Settings → FXS PORT 1 → SIP Settings
Locate the SIP Transport setting.
Set this to the connection type shown in the account details supplied by us:
Make sure you select the connection type we supplied, as using a different transport may prevent the adapter from registering.
Unless we have provided additional settings, leave the remaining SIP options at their defaults.
Once you’ve entered the details, click:
Save and Apply
Give the HT801 V2 a short time to apply the settings and connect to our service.
If necessary, restart the adapter after saving the configuration.
You can check whether the HT801 V2 has successfully connected to our service from the Grandstream interface.
Navigate to:
Status → Port Status
Find the registration status for FXS1.
If everything has been configured correctly, the status should show:
Registered
Your telephone should now be ready to use.
Pick up the handset and try making a call.
If the status shows Not Registered, don’t worry. In most cases this is caused by a simple configuration error.
Check the following:
After making any changes, click Save and Apply and allow the adapter a short time to register again.
You can optionally change the HT801 V2’s ring cadence to alter the pattern used when your telephone rings.
This is not required for the SIP service to work, so if you’re happy with the way your phone currently rings, you can leave this setting unchanged.
In the Grandstream configuration interface, locate the Ring Cadence settings for the FXS port.
For a UK-style ringing pattern, configure the cadence as required for your telephone and click Save and Apply.
The HT801 V2 also provides several settings that affect how your analogue telephone behaves. These do not normally need to be changed for the service to work, but can be useful depending on your telephone and personal preference.
These include:
We recommend leaving these settings at their defaults unless you have a particular reason to change them.
If you do make changes, make a note of the original values first so they can easily be restored if required.
If you’re using an older telephone with a rotary dial or pulse dialling, you may need to enable pulse dialling support on the HT801 V2.
This setting is not required for modern touch-tone (DTMF) telephones and should normally be left disabled unless you’re using a pulse-dial telephone.
In the Grandstream configuration interface, go to:
Port Settings → FXS PORT 1
Locate the Enable Pulse Dialing option and set it to:
Yes
Click Save and Apply to save the change.
Once enabled, the HT801 V2 can recognise the pulses generated when numbers are dialled on a compatible rotary or pulse-dial telephone and convert them for use with the SIP service.
After enabling pulse dialling, pick up the handset and wait for the dial tone before dialling the number normally using the rotary dial.
If you’re using a modern push-button telephone, leave Enable Pulse Dialing set to No unless the telephone has specifically been configured to use pulse dialling.
If you’ve followed the steps above and the HT801 V2 still shows Not Registered, please contact our support team.
Let us know that you’re configuring a Grandstream HT801 V2, and tell us whether the registration status currently shows Registered or Not Registered.
We’ll then be able to help you get connected.
Yes, in most cases you can keep your existing landline number when switching broadband provider. Instead of losing the number when you leave your current provider, you can transfer — or “port” — it to another phone service.
Importantly, your new broadband provider doesn’t need to provide your landline service at all.
This is becoming increasingly useful as broadband and home phone services move apart. Some broadband providers no longer offer a traditional home phone service, while you might choose an internet-only option such as full fibre, 4G/5G broadband or satellite broadband.
With Plexatalk, you can port your existing landline number to an independent VoIP phone service. Your number then works over your internet connection rather than being tied to your broadband company.
That means you’re free to choose the broadband service that gives you the best speed, coverage or price at your address, while continuing to use the landline number that friends, family and other contacts already know.
Changing broadband provider can be a little more confusing than it used to be because broadband and home phone services no longer necessarily come together.
Traditionally, many households bought broadband and a landline as one package. The same provider supplied your internet connection, telephone service and landline number, so changing broadband often meant moving everything to a new provider at once.
That is increasingly no longer the case. Modern broadband connections such as full fibre (FTTP), 4G/5G home broadband and satellite broadband are primarily internet connections and don’t inherently provide a traditional telephone line. Some broadband providers offer a digital phone service alongside them, while others focus on broadband only.
Home phone services are also moving from the old analogue telephone network to digital or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services. Instead of your telephone calls travelling over a traditional phone line, VoIP uses your internet connection to make and receive calls.
The useful part is that your VoIP provider and broadband provider do not have to be the same company. You can have broadband from one provider and move your existing landline number to an independent VoIP provider such as Plexatalk, allowing you to keep the two services separate.
Not every broadband provider offers a home phone service anymore. Increasingly, broadband is sold as an internet-only service, particularly as the UK moves towards full fibre and other modern ways of getting online.
You might encounter this when considering a provider such as Plusnet, or when moving away from a conventional fixed-line broadband provider altogether. Depending on where you live, Starlink, 4G or 5G home broadband might give you better speeds, availability or pricing than the fixed broadband services available at your address.
The problem for many households is simple: “I want that broadband, but I don’t want to lose my home phone number.”
Fortunately, you don’t have to choose between the two.
Your landline number can be moved to an independent VoIP provider such as Plexatalk instead of being supplied by your new broadband company. VoIP carries your calls over an internet connection, which means it can work with many different types of broadband.
For example, Plexatalk’s home VoIP service can work over FTTP full fibre, 4G/5G broadband and satellite internet such as Starlink.
This separates your home phone from your internet provider. You can choose the broadband connection that works best for your household while keeping the existing landline number that people already use to contact you. If you change broadband again later, your phone number can remain with Plexatalk rather than having to move with your broadband each time.
Yes. You can keep your existing landline number without taking a phone service from your new broadband provider. Your broadband and home phone can be supplied by two completely different companies.
Instead of looking for a broadband package that includes a landline, you can choose whichever broadband provider gives you the best connection, speed, availability or price at your address. Your existing telephone number can then be transferred to an independent VoIP provider such as Plexatalk.
With Plexatalk, your existing number is ported to our VoIP service and your calls are carried over your internet connection. This means your phone service can work independently of the company supplying that connection.
There is another advantage to separating the two services: your landline number no longer needs to move every time you change broadband provider.
Once your number is with Plexatalk, you could change from one fibre provider to another, move to 4G or 5G broadband, or use another suitable internet connection without having to port your landline number again. Your broadband can change while your home phone service and familiar number stay with Plexatalk.
For many households, this makes choosing broadband much simpler: pick your internet for the connection you want and your phone provider for the number and phone service you want.
There are several situations where you might find the broadband service you want doesn’t come with the home phone service you want. That doesn’t mean you have to give up your existing landline number.
Switching to broadband without a phone service: You may find a broadband-only package that gives you the speed or price you want, including when considering providers such as Plusnet. Rather than ruling it out because you want to keep your home number, you can have your broadband from one company and your phone service from Plexatalk.
Moving to Starlink: In some rural or poorly served areas, you might choose Starlink because the fixed broadband available at your property isn’t fast or reliable enough. Starlink provides the internet connection, while Plexatalk can provide your VoIP phone service over that connection.
Using 4G or 5G home broadband: Mobile broadband can sometimes provide a better or more flexible alternative to a fixed connection. Again, you don’t need a traditional telephone line from the broadband provider. Plexatalk VoIP can operate over a suitable 4G or 5G internet connection.
Moving onto full fibre: You may also be upgrading to FTTP but find that your chosen package doesn’t include a suitable home-phone option. Your existing number can instead be ported to Plexatalk and used as a digital landline over your new connection.
In each case, the principle is the same: your broadband provides the internet connection, while Plexatalk independently provides your home phone service and keeps your existing number.
If you want to change broadband provider without losing the landline number you already use, the order in which you switch is important. In particular, don’t cancel your existing phone service before the number transfer has been arranged.
Start by choosing the broadband service you want. This could be full fibre from another provider, broadband without a phone service, 4G/5G home broadband, Starlink or another suitable internet connection.
Your new broadband provider does not need to provide your home phone service.
Don’t prematurely cancel your existing landline or digital phone service.
Your number needs to remain available while the transfer to Plexatalk is arranged. Cancelling first can make keeping the number more difficult, so ideally wait until Plexatalk confirms that the port has completed successfully.
Choose your Plexatalk home VoIP package and tell us that you want to keep your existing landline number. Number porting is available with Plexatalk’s residential VoIP plans.
We’ll collect the information required to request the transfer. Make sure the details you provide match those held by your current phone provider, as incorrect information can delay the port.
Ideally, have your new internet connection up and running before you start relying on it for your Plexatalk phone service. Once installed, check that your broadband and router are working correctly.
Plexatalk will arrange the transfer of your existing landline number. Keep your old phone service active until we confirm that the number port has completed successfully.
Once transferred, connect your VoIP adapter or compatible VoIP phone, or configure your chosen app. Test both incoming and outgoing calls.
Your broadband provider has changed, but your familiar home phone number stays with you — and is now independent of your broadband provider.
If there’s one thing to remember when switching broadband and keeping your landline number, it’s this:
Don’t cancel your existing phone service before the number transfer has been arranged and completed.
Many people assume they can simply cancel their broadband and phone package, then ask for the number to be moved later. Unfortunately, that can put the number at risk. Once a service has been disconnected, recovering or transferring the number can become much more difficult and, in some cases, impossible.
Instead, the safest approach is to coordinate the switch. Order your new broadband, arrange for Plexatalk to port your existing number, and keep your current phone service active while the transfer takes place.
Plexatalk will advise you when the port has completed successfully. Only then should you consider cancelling any remaining services that you no longer need. This is the same approach we recommend for customers leaving providers such as Virgin Media, as it helps protect the number throughout the switching process.
A little planning can make the difference between keeping the number you’ve had for years and accidentally losing it during the switch.
Transferring your existing landline number to Plexatalk will typically take around one week if the number has never been ported before, or around two weeks if it has previously been transferred between providers.
These times aren’t guaranteed, as number ports can occasionally be delayed or rejected if the details supplied don’t match those held by your existing provider. If this happens, the port may need to be corrected and submitted again.
We can also schedule your number transfer for a future date, which can be useful when you’re changing broadband provider and already know when your new connection is due to go live.
The important thing is to keep your existing phone service active until the transfer has completed successfully. Once Plexatalk confirms that your number has moved across, you can start using it through your Plexatalk VoIP service over your new broadband connection.
Yes. In many cases, you can continue using the landline phone or DECT cordless phones you already have, even though your phone service has moved to VoIP.
Traditional home phones aren’t designed to plug directly into most modern broadband routers. Instead, you can use a small device called an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter) or VoIP adapter. This converts your existing phone so that it can make and receive calls using your internet connection.
With Plexatalk, the setup can be as simple as:
Existing landline or DECT phone → VoIP adapter → broadband router/internet → Plexatalk
Plexatalk can supply a preconfigured Grandstream HT802 VoIP adapter for £50. You connect the adapter to your broadband router and plug your existing telephone equipment into the adapter. Because it arrives configured for your Plexatalk service, there’s no need to replace perfectly usable home phones just because you’ve changed how your calls are delivered.
Alternatively, you can use a compatible VoIP phone or a suitable smartphone or softphone app.
Whichever option you choose, calls to your ported landline number continue to reach you through Plexatalk — while your broadband can come from a completely separate provider.
Once you’ve separated your broadband and home phone services, changing broadband provider again becomes much simpler.
Your landline number stays with Plexatalk rather than being tied to whichever company currently provides your internet connection. If you find a better broadband deal, upgrade to faster full fibre, move to 4G/5G broadband or change to another suitable internet service, you don’t need to transfer your telephone number each time.
Instead, you simply get your replacement broadband working and then connect your Plexatalk phone service through the new internet connection. Your existing number and Plexatalk service remain the same.
This gives you much more freedom when comparing broadband in the future. You can choose broadband based on speed, reliability, availability and price without having to worry about whether the provider also offers the home phone service you need.
Your broadband can change as often as you need it to; your familiar landline number can stay with you.
Plexatalk’s residential VoIP plans currently start from £4 per month, making it possible to keep your home phone number without paying for a landline package from your broadband provider.
Our current home packages include:
The Micro and Basic packages currently have a one-off £15 connection and activation fee, while Standard and Unlimited include connection.
There is no additional charge for porting your existing landline number to or from Plexatalk.
If you want to continue using your existing analogue or DECT home phone, we can also supply a preconfigured Grandstream HT802 VoIP adapter for £50.
This means you can choose your broadband separately while keeping your familiar landline number and home phone service with Plexatalk.
Keeping your landline number doesn’t mean you have to stay with your current broadband provider or choose a broadband package that includes a phone service.
If another provider can give you faster broadband, better coverage or a better price at your address, you should be able to choose that connection without leaving your familiar home number behind.
With Plexatalk, you can port your existing landline number to our independent VoIP service and use it over your chosen internet connection. Your broadband and home phone are then separate, giving you much more freedom when choosing providers now and in the future.
Plexatalk residential VoIP plans currently start from £4 per month, with free number porting included.
Ready to keep your number and choose your broadband independently? View our residential VoIP plans or contact Plexatalk and we’ll help you get your existing landline number moved across.
Amazon LEO is Amazon’s new satellite broadband service, designed to deliver fast, low-latency internet through a network of more than 3,000 satellites in low Earth orbit. The programme was developed under the codename Project Kuiper, but Amazon retired that name in November 2025 and adopted Amazon Leo as its permanent consumer brand.
Interest in Amazon Leo is growing in the UK because it could give households and businesses another way to get reliable broadband without depending entirely on fibre, copper or mobile networks. That matters particularly in rural and remote areas, where satellite broadband can reach properties that are difficult or expensive to connect using terrestrial infrastructure. The service is also expected to become a significant competitor to Starlink, potentially giving UK customers more choice among low-Earth-orbit broadband providers.
Amazon has already secured regulatory approval to provide high-speed, low-latency satellite connectivity in the UK, although nationwide consumer availability, final prices and service plans remain dependent on the network’s rollout.
This guide explains how Amazon Leo works, when it may become available in the UK, the equipment customers will need, expected speeds and costs, likely coverage, and how it compares with Starlink and conventional home broadband. It also examines who may benefit most—and what remains unconfirmed in 2026.
Amazon Leo is Amazon’s satellite broadband service, designed to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet using a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). Unlike traditional internet providers that rely on fibre, cable or mobile infrastructure, Amazon Leo beams internet connectivity directly from space to a customer terminal installed at a home or business. The service is intended to improve access to reliable broadband in locations where conventional networks are unavailable, slow or expensive to deploy.
Low Earth orbit refers to satellites positioned between approximately 160 and 2,000 kilometres above the Earth’s surface. Because these satellites orbit much closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites, data has a far shorter distance to travel. This significantly reduces latency, making activities such as video conferencing, online gaming, streaming and cloud applications far more responsive than with older satellite broadband services.
Amazon Leo works by connecting a customer terminal to the nearest satellites overhead. Those satellites communicate with ground stations and, where available, with one another using optical inter-satellite links, allowing internet traffic to be routed efficiently around the globe before reaching its destination. As satellites continuously move across the sky, the connection is seamlessly handed from one satellite to the next, providing continuous coverage.
The service began life in 2019 under the codename Project Kuiper, named after the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune. The project was created to build a next-generation satellite broadband network capable of serving millions of customers worldwide. After several years of development, prototype testing and satellite launches, Amazon officially retired the Project Kuiper name in November 2025, rebranding the service as Amazon Leo to reflect the low Earth orbit constellation that powers the network.
Before it became Amazon Leo, the company’s satellite internet initiative was known as Project Kuiper. The name was used internally and publicly from 2019 until November 2025, when Amazon officially rebranded the service ahead of its wider commercial rollout. While the branding has changed, the underlying mission remains the same: to build a global low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network capable of delivering fast, reliable broadband to homes, businesses and communities that lack dependable internet access.
At the heart of Amazon Leo is a planned constellation of more than 3,200 satellites orbiting approximately 630 kilometres above the Earth. Operating in low Earth orbit allows the network to deliver significantly lower latency than traditional geostationary satellite services, making it suitable for everyday internet use, including streaming, video calls, online gaming and remote working. Amazon has invested billions of dollars into the project and secured more than 80 commercial launch contracts to deploy the constellation over several years.
Full-scale satellite deployment began in April 2025, with Amazon steadily increasing the number of launches throughout 2025 and 2026. By mid-2026, the company had placed more than 375 satellites into orbit and announced plans to accelerate its launch schedule as it works towards wider consumer availability.
Amazon’s long-term goal is to provide affordable, high-speed internet to customers around the world while increasing competition in the satellite broadband market. Its biggest rival is Starlink, operated by SpaceX, which entered the market several years earlier and currently has a much larger satellite constellation and customer base. Although Starlink enjoys a significant head start, Amazon Leo is positioned as a major long-term competitor that could give consumers—including those in the UK—greater choice, improved coverage and more competitive pricing as the market matures.
Amazon Leo is moving closer to commercial availability, but there is still no confirmed launch date for UK residential customers. While Amazon has begun deploying its satellite constellation and has stated that consumer services will begin once sufficient network coverage is in place, the company has not announced exactly when UK households will be able to sign up.
The rollout is taking place in phases. Following successful prototype testing and the launch of production satellites, Amazon has continued expanding the constellation throughout 2025 and 2026. In July 2026, Amazon confirmed it had completed enough satellite launches to begin initial commercial service later in the year, although availability will initially be limited before expanding as additional satellites increase network capacity and geographic coverage.
The UK is well positioned to be one of Amazon Leo’s early markets. In February 2025, Ofcom granted Amazon Kuiper Services Europe regulatory approval to provide non-geostationary satellite broadband services in the UK, with additional gateway licences supporting the infrastructure needed to deliver the service. These approvals mean there are no major regulatory barriers preventing a UK launch once the network is ready.
So why isn’t there a firm consumer launch date? The biggest factor is satellite deployment. Low Earth orbit broadband requires hundreds of operational satellites before consistent service can be offered across an entire country. Amazon is continuing to expand its constellation, test network performance and scale its ground infrastructure before opening the service to large numbers of customers. As a result, availability is expected to increase gradually rather than through a single nationwide launch.
We’ll continue to update this guide as Amazon announces UK availability, pricing, preorder information and supported locations, so check back for the latest developments.
Amazon has not yet announced official UK pricing for Amazon Leo, so there is currently no confirmed cost for either the hardware or the monthly broadband service. The company has instead focused on expanding its satellite network and confirming the technology that customers will use once the service launches.
Although pricing remains under wraps, Amazon has made it clear that affordability is one of its key goals. The company has previously said it wants to make satellite broadband accessible to as many people as possible, suggesting it will price Amazon Leo competitively against existing providers such as Starlink.
Customers will also need to purchase a satellite terminal (often referred to as a satellite dish) to connect to the network. Amazon has unveiled three devices: Leo Nano, Leo Pro and Leo Ultra, each aimed at different types of users and performance requirements. While retail prices have not been announced, Amazon has revealed that its standard consumer terminal costs less than $400 to manufacture, leading many industry analysts to expect hardware pricing below comparable competing systems, particularly if Amazon chooses to subsidise equipment to grow its customer base.
As for the monthly subscription, industry expectations generally place Amazon Leo in a similar price bracket to Starlink, although Amazon could introduce lower introductory pricing or multiple speed tiers as the service expands. Until Amazon confirms UK plans, any figures remain speculative.
We’ll update this guide as soon as Amazon announces official UK hardware prices, monthly subscriptions and any launch offers.
Amazon has not published final performance figures for its consumer broadband service, but it has confirmed that Amazon Leo is being designed to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet. During development, Amazon said its standard customer terminal is capable of download speeds of up to 400 Mbps, while its smallest residential terminal is expected to deliver speeds of up to 100 Mbps. The company has yet to confirm typical upload speeds, although these are expected to be sufficient for video calls, cloud backups and everyday remote working. (aboutamazon.co.uk)
Speed, however, is only part of the story. Latency—the time it takes for data to travel between your device and its destination—is just as important for activities that require instant responses. Low latency makes websites feel snappier, reduces delays during video calls and improves responsiveness in online games and voice-over-IP (VoIP) calls. By comparison, tasks such as downloading large files or streaming films depend more on bandwidth than latency.
Like Starlink, Amazon Leo uses satellites in low Earth orbit, approximately 630 km above the Earth’s surface. This is dramatically closer than traditional geostationary satellites, which orbit at around 35,786 km. Because signals have much less distance to travel, latency is expected to be measured in tens of milliseconds rather than hundreds, providing a much more responsive experience than older satellite broadband services. (aboutamazon.com)
For most households, Amazon Leo should comfortably support 4K streaming, multiple connected devices, video conferencing and home working. Online gaming should also benefit from the lower latency offered by a low Earth orbit network, although real-world performance will ultimately depend on factors such as network congestion, weather conditions and the number of satellites serving your area after launch.
Amazon Leo is designed to provide broadband wherever its satellite network has coverage, making it particularly valuable in areas where traditional fixed-line internet is unavailable or unreliable. Although Amazon has not yet published a detailed UK coverage map, the long-term goal is to offer service across the country once the satellite constellation is sufficiently deployed. (aboutamazon.co.uk)
For many people, the biggest benefit will be in rural and remote parts of the UK. Properties in the Scottish Highlands, rural Wales, Northern Ireland and isolated parts of England often have limited broadband options because extending fibre infrastructure can be expensive and technically challenging. Satellite broadband removes this dependency by connecting directly to satellites rather than relying on underground cables or nearby telephone exchanges.
That doesn’t mean Amazon Leo will only be available in rural locations. Customers in towns and cities are also expected to be able to subscribe, provided the service has launched in the UK and there is a clear view of the sky for the customer terminal. However, households with access to full-fibre broadband may find that fibre remains the faster and more cost-effective option for everyday use.
Ultimately, Amazon Leo is intended to complement—not replace—the UK’s existing broadband infrastructure. It is likely to be most beneficial for homes, businesses and mobile users in locations where fibre or reliable 5G services are unavailable, while also providing an alternative for customers who want greater choice in the growing satellite broadband market. As Amazon expands its constellation, UK coverage is expected to become increasingly comprehensive.
Amazon Leo and Starlink are both designed to solve the same problem: providing high-speed internet through constellations of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. However, they’re at very different stages of development. Starlink has millions of customers worldwide and is already widely available across the UK, while Amazon Leo is still preparing for its commercial rollout.
| Feature | Amazon Leo | Starlink |
|---|---|---|
| Download speeds | Up to 100 Mbps (Nano terminal) or up to 400 Mbps (standard residential terminal) | Typically 100–300+ Mbps |
| Upload speeds | Not yet confirmed | Typically 10–30 Mbps |
| Latency | Expected to be in the tens of milliseconds | Typically 20–40 ms |
| Hardware | Leo Nano, Leo Pro and Leo Ultra terminals | Standard, Mini and Performance terminals |
| Monthly cost (UK) | Not yet announced | From approximately £75/month (plan dependent) |
| Availability | Rolling out, UK date unconfirmed | Available across most of the UK |
| Portability | Expected, but plans not confirmed | Available with Roam plans |
| Reliability | Unknown until commercial launch | Well-established with millions of users |
Although Amazon Leo is often described as a Starlink competitor, the two services are difficult to compare directly today because Amazon has not yet launched its consumer broadband service in the UK. Many of its final performance figures, pricing and subscription options remain unconfirmed.
From a technology perspective, the services are remarkably similar. Both rely on thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit, dramatically reducing latency compared with traditional satellite broadband. Both also require a dedicated customer terminal with a clear view of the sky and are designed to provide broadband in locations where fibre or mobile networks are unavailable.
Where Starlink currently has the advantage is maturity. It already has an extensive satellite constellation, established infrastructure and years of real-world performance data. Customers know what speeds, reliability and support to expect because the service has been operating commercially for several years.
Amazon Leo’s biggest opportunity lies in competition. Amazon has repeatedly stated that affordability is a priority, and many analysts expect it to compete aggressively on both hardware and subscription pricing. If Amazon can deliver comparable performance while lowering the cost of satellite broadband, UK consumers—particularly those in rural areas—could benefit from greater choice and more competitive pricing across the market.
For now, Starlink remains the only proven LEO satellite broadband option available to most UK households. Amazon Leo has the potential to become a strong alternative, but its true performance, reliability and value won’t be known until the service launches commercially.
For most UK households, full fibre broadband (FTTP) will remain the best choice where it’s available. Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) delivers internet through fibre-optic cables directly to your property, providing consistently high speeds, low latency and excellent reliability. Networks built by providers such as Openreach and CityFibre can now deliver gigabit-capable broadband to millions of homes across the UK, making fibre the preferred option for streaming, gaming, remote working and large file transfers.
Compared with satellite broadband, full fibre has several advantages. Because data travels through physical fibre-optic cables rather than wireless links to satellites, latency is typically lower and performance is less affected by environmental factors. Fibre connections also tend to offer more predictable speeds during peak periods and often provide better value for money, particularly in areas where multiple internet providers compete for customers.
That said, Amazon Leo isn’t designed to replace fibre everywhere. Instead, it aims to bring fast, modern broadband to homes and businesses that can’t access full fibre or where traditional broadband speeds remain poor. This is especially relevant in rural parts of the UK, where rolling out fibre infrastructure can be expensive and time-consuming. For these customers, Amazon Leo could offer a significant upgrade over ageing copper-based connections or slower fixed wireless services.
Cost will also play an important role. While Amazon hasn’t announced UK pricing, satellite broadband typically involves an upfront equipment purchase alongside a monthly subscription. By comparison, many fibre providers include the router as part of the contract, and installation is often free or subsidised for standard residential connections.
Ultimately, the best option depends on your location. If you have access to a reliable FTTP connection from providers such as Openreach or CityFibre, fibre is likely to offer the best combination of speed, reliability and value. However, if full fibre isn’t available—or isn’t expected to arrive for several years—Amazon Leo could become one of the most attractive alternatives when it launches in the UK.
Yes—VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is expected to work well with Amazon Leo. While Amazon hasn’t published an official list of supported VoIP providers, the service is designed as a standard broadband connection, meaning internet-based phone services should work in much the same way as they do over fibre or cable broadband.
One of the biggest advantages of Amazon Leo is its low latency. Unlike older satellite broadband services, where voice calls could suffer from noticeable delays, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are much closer to Earth, reducing the time it takes for voice data to travel across the network. This results in more natural conversations, faster call setup times and fewer awkward pauses, making Amazon Leo far better suited to VoIP than traditional satellite internet.
For home users, this means you should be able to use internet calling apps and dedicated VoIP services without issue. If you’d prefer to keep using your existing home phone, an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter) allows a traditional handset to work over your broadband connection without replacing your current equipment.
Businesses can also benefit from Amazon Leo. Most modern cloud phone systems use the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) standard, allowing businesses to make and receive calls over an internet connection rather than a traditional phone line. Features such as auto attendants, call recording, voicemail-to-email, mobile apps and remote working all continue to work as normal, provided the broadband connection is stable.
For rural businesses, construction sites, farms and other locations where full fibre isn’t available, Amazon Leo could provide the reliable broadband connection needed to run a professional business phone system for the first time.
If you’re planning to use Amazon Leo at home, a residential VoIP service lets you keep your existing landline number while taking advantage of your new satellite broadband connection. Plexatalk’s home VoIP service starts from £4 per month, includes free UK number porting and works with broadband technologies including fibre, 5G and satellite internet. Home VoIP service
For businesses, the right VoIP solution depends on the number of users, required features and how your organisation operates. If you’re considering Amazon Leo for your office or remote site, it’s worth discussing your requirements before choosing a phone system. You can contact the Plexatalk team for advice on the most suitable business VoIP solution.
In most cases, yes—you should be able to keep your existing landline number when switching to Amazon Leo. Rather than connecting your phone through a traditional copper telephone line, your number can usually be transferred (or ported) to a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) provider, allowing you to make and receive calls over your broadband connection instead.
Number porting is a well-established process in the UK and is supported by the vast majority of geographic landline numbers. Once your number has been transferred to a VoIP service, you can continue using it much as you do today, whether that’s through a dedicated IP phone, an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter) connected to your existing handset, or a mobile or desktop app provided by your VoIP service.
This means that switching to Amazon Leo doesn’t necessarily mean giving up your long-standing home or business phone number. As long as you choose a VoIP provider that supports number porting, your existing number can usually move with you, helping you avoid the hassle of notifying friends, family or customers of a new contact number.
The exact process and any associated costs can vary depending on your current provider and the VoIP service you choose. Before cancelling your existing landline, it’s always advisable to check that your number is eligible for porting and to let the new provider manage the transfer to minimise the risk of losing it.
We’ll be covering the process in more detail in our dedicated guide, “Can You Keep Your Landline When Switching to Amazon Leo?”, once it’s published.
Amazon Leo is Amazon’s satellite broadband service, designed to deliver high-speed internet using thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). Previously known as Project Kuiper, the service aims to provide reliable broadband to homes and businesses, particularly in areas where traditional fibre or mobile networks are limited.
Not yet. Although Amazon has received the necessary regulatory approvals to operate in the UK, it has not announced a confirmed launch date for residential customers. Initial commercial services are expected to begin as the satellite constellation continues to expand.
Amazon has not confirmed UK pricing. Customers are expected to purchase a satellite terminal alongside a monthly broadband subscription, but official hardware costs and monthly fees have yet to be announced.
It’s too early to say. Starlink currently has the advantage of an established network, nationwide UK availability and millions of existing customers. Amazon Leo is expected to offer similar low-latency satellite broadband, but its real-world performance, pricing and reliability won’t be known until after launch.
Yes. Thanks to its low Earth orbit satellites, Amazon Leo is expected to offer significantly lower latency than traditional satellite broadband, making it suitable for online gaming. As with any internet connection, performance will depend on factors such as network congestion, Wi-Fi quality and the game servers you’re connecting to.
For most people, no. If full fibre broadband is available, it will usually remain the faster and more cost-effective option. Amazon Leo is primarily intended to provide an alternative for homes and businesses that cannot access reliable fibre or fixed wireless broadband.
Yes, in most cases. Your existing landline number can usually be transferred to a VoIP provider through a process known as number porting. This allows you to continue using your existing number over your Amazon Leo broadband connection without relying on a traditional phone line.
Amazon Leo is being designed to support everyday remote working, including video conferencing, cloud applications, file sharing and VPN connections. While official performance figures are still limited, the service is expected to provide enough speed and low latency for most home office requirements.
Like all satellite broadband services, severe weather can occasionally affect signal quality. Heavy rain, snow or dense cloud may cause temporary reductions in speed or brief interruptions. However, modern satellite networks are designed to minimise these effects, and most users should experience reliable day-to-day performance.
Yes. Amazon expects the service to support high-definition and 4K video streaming across multiple devices. As long as your connection has sufficient bandwidth, streaming services such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video should perform much like they do on other high-speed broadband connections.
Amazon Leo has the potential to become one of the biggest developments in UK broadband for years. By combining low Earth orbit satellite technology with Amazon’s global infrastructure, it promises to bring fast, low-latency internet to homes and businesses that have traditionally been underserved by fixed-line networks.
While full fibre will remain the preferred option where it’s available, Amazon Leo could prove to be an excellent alternative for rural communities, remote properties and anyone struggling with slow or unreliable broadband. As the network continues to expand and commercial services become available, it will also introduce greater competition to the satellite broadband market, giving UK consumers more choice than ever before.
Although there’s still no confirmed nationwide launch date, progress has been rapid, and we’ll continue updating this guide as Amazon announces new information on UK availability, pricing, hardware and performance.
If you’re planning to switch to satellite broadband, don’t forget about your phone service. With the right VoIP provider, you can usually keep your existing landline number while enjoying all the benefits of your new connection. Explore our VoIP guides to learn how PlexaTalk can help make the transition simple and hassle-free.
Editor’s Note (July 2026): Amazon Leo is still rolling out commercially, and some details—including UK launch dates, pricing, subscription plans and real-world performance—have not yet been officially confirmed. This guide is based on Amazon’s latest announcements and publicly available information and will be updated as new details are released.
If you’re looking for the best EE Digital Voice alternatives, the right choice for most households is an independent digital landline provider that works with any broadband connection rather than tying your home phone service to a single internet provider. Whether you’re replacing EE Digital Home Phone, searching for an alternative to EE home phone, or simply want a more flexible EE digital landline solution, there are several options worth considering.
Most people can keep their existing landline number, continue using their current telephone with a simple VoIP adapter, and even stay on EE broadband if they’re happy with their internet service. Alternatively, you can switch broadband providers in the future without having to move your home phone again—a level of flexibility that broadband-bundled services don’t always offer.
Independent providers such as Plexatalk, alongside other residential VoIP services, allow you to separate your phone service from your broadband while still enjoying the benefits of Digital Voice technology. In this guide, we’ll compare the leading EE Digital Voice alternatives, explain the costs, contracts and setup requirements, and show you how to switch without losing your existing phone number.
If you’re replacing EE Digital Voice or EE Digital Home Phone, the right alternative depends on whether you want to keep your existing broadband or separate your phone service from it. For many households, an independent digital landline provider offers the greatest flexibility because it works with almost any UK broadband connection, lets you keep your existing landline number, and makes it easier to switch broadband providers in the future.
Broadband providers such as BT, Sky and Vodafone also offer digital voice services, but these are usually tied to their own broadband packages. That can make changing internet providers more complicated if your home phone is bundled with your broadband contract.
The comparison below highlights the main options available, including independent residential VoIP providers, broadband-bundled services and mobile-only alternatives. If your priority is keeping your current phone number while avoiding being locked to a single broadband provider, an independent VoIP service is usually the strongest alternative to EE Digital Voice.
| Alternative | Typical structure | Keep existing number | Use existing phone | Tied to broadband | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plexatalk | Independent residential VoIP | Yes | Yes, with a VoIP adapter | No | Best overall value and flexibility |
| VoIPfone | Independent VoIP | Usually | With suitable equipment | No | More technical users |
| Andrews & Arnold (AAISP) | Independent VoIP | Usually | With suitable equipment | No | Users wanting advanced control |
| Phonely | Independent digital landline | Yes | Check current setup | No | Scam-protection features |
| BT Digital Voice | Broadband bundle | Usually | Often | Yes | Existing BT broadband customers |
| Sky Talk / Internet Calls | Broadband bundle | Usually | Often | Yes | Existing Sky broadband customers |
| Vodafone Home Phone | Broadband bundle | Usually | Often | Yes | Existing Vodafone broadband customers |
| Mobile-only replacement | Mobile service | Not always | No | No | Households that no longer need a landline |
If you want a straightforward answer, the best EE Digital Voice alternative for most households is an independent residential VoIP service used with a VoIP adapter. This lets you keep your existing landline number, continue using your current telephone, and avoid tying your home phone to a single broadband provider.
For households that want to keep the same familiar handsets with minimal disruption, Plexatalk combined with a pre-configured VoIP adapter is one of the simplest options. It offers the flexibility to stay with your current broadband or switch providers later without moving your phone service again.
If broadband freedom is your top priority, choose a standalone VoIP provider rather than a broadband-bundled digital phone service. This keeps your landline independent of your internet contract.
If unwanted calls are your biggest concern, compare specialist digital landline providers that include advanced scam filtering and call protection features, as these often go beyond the basic caller identification offered by mainstream broadband providers.
If you prefer receiving one bill for both broadband and your home phone, switching to another broadband provider’s digital phone service may be the simplest route, although your phone service will usually remain tied to that broadband package.
Finally, if you rarely use your home phone, a mobile-only setup or a low-minute VoIP plan could be the most cost-effective replacement for EE Digital Voice.
EE Digital Voice, often marketed by EE as Digital Home Phone, is the company’s internet-based home phone service that replaces the traditional copper landline. Instead of carrying calls over the old Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), calls are transmitted using your broadband connection.
So, what is EE Digital Voice? In simple terms, it’s a digital landline service that uses internet technology to make and receive calls. This means your telephone connects through EE-supplied equipment—such as a compatible Smart Hub or a telephone adapter—rather than an active copper phone socket. Although you can usually continue using your existing handset, the way your calls are carried is fundamentally different from a traditional analogue landline.
Many people also ask, “Is EE Digital Voice VoIP?” The answer is yes. EE Digital Home Phone is a form of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), which converts voice calls into digital data and sends them securely over your broadband connection. While the technology is similar to other residential VoIP services, EE provides it as part of its broadband ecosystem rather than as a standalone phone service.
If you’re wondering how does EE Digital Voice work, the key requirement is an active broadband connection and powered equipment. Because calls rely on your router and associated hardware, the service generally won’t operate if your broadband connection is unavailable or if there’s a power cut, unless suitable backup arrangements are in place.
For many households, EE Digital Home Phone provides a straightforward way to transition away from the old copper network. However, because it’s typically linked to your EE broadband service, some customers explore independent VoIP providers that allow them to keep their home phone separate from their internet provider.
While EE Digital Voice (also known as EE Digital Home Phone) is a suitable option for many households, it isn’t the only way to keep a home phone after the UK’s landline switchover. Depending on your priorities, an independent digital landline service may offer greater flexibility, lower ongoing costs or more control over how you use your number.
One of the biggest reasons people look for an alternative to EE Digital Voice is to keep their phone service independent of their internet connection. With a standalone VoIP provider, your landline doesn’t have to move every time you change broadband supplier. If you decide to switch internet providers in the future, your phone service and number can remain exactly where they are.
If you’re looking for something cheaper than EE Digital Voice, compare more than just the advertised monthly price. Check what’s included, such as inclusive UK calls, any fair usage limits, connection fees, equipment costs and contract length. Looking at the total cost of ownership often gives a clearer picture than comparing headline prices alone.
Many households want to use an old phone with a digital landline rather than replacing perfectly good equipment. Providers such as Plexatalk make this straightforward by supplying a pre-configured VoIP adapter, allowing many existing corded and cordless telephones to continue working with minimal setup and helping make the transition from analogue to digital as seamless as possible.
Because independent phone services are separate from your broadband contract, they can offer greater flexibility. Rather than committing your home phone to a broadband package, you can choose the provider and contract that best suits your needs, making future broadband changes much simpler.
A standalone digital phone service can provide more ways to answer calls than a traditional landline. Depending on the provider, you may be able to use your existing telephone, answer calls through a VoIP app, forward calls to your mobile, connect an IP phone or ring multiple devices at the same time. This added flexibility can be especially useful if you’re often away from home.
If you want to leave EE and keep your landline number, using an independent provider can make future switching easier. Because the phone number is managed separately from your broadband service, you’re less likely to need to move it each time you change internet provider. For households that value flexibility and want to keep a landline without EE, separating the phone service from broadband is often one of the biggest long-term advantages.
For most households looking for a Plexatalk EE Digital Voice alternative, the biggest priority isn’t finding the cheapest service—it’s keeping the home phone they’ve always used. That’s where Plexatalk stands out. Rather than replacing your handset, the recommended setup allows you to continue using your existing corded or cordless telephone through a pre-configured VoIP adapter.
The typical setup is straightforward:
Existing corded or cordless phone
↓
Preconfigured Grandstream HT802 VoIP adapter
↓
Broadband router
↓
Plexatalk phone service
When ordering, customers can choose a pre-configured Grandstream HT802 adapter if they want to use an existing phone with a VoIP adapter. The adapter arrives ready to connect, removing much of the technical setup normally associated with residential VoIP. Simply connect your existing telephone to the adapter, plug the adapter into your broadband router, and your home phone is ready to use.
For many people, this is the easiest way to replace EE Digital Voice because there’s no need to buy unfamiliar IP phones or change how you answer calls. Your existing handset continues to work much as it always has, while the calls are carried digitally over your broadband connection.
Another major advantage is flexibility. Unlike broadband-bundled phone services, Plexatalk keeps your phone service independent of your internet provider. You can stay with EE broadband if you’re happy with it, or switch to another broadband supplier in the future without needing to replace or move your home phone service again. For households wanting a broadband independent home phone, this separation offers greater long-term freedom.
Plexatalk’s residential plans currently start from £4 per month, making it one of the more affordable options for those looking for cheap residential VoIP in the UK. All residential plans are offered on a rolling monthly basis rather than long fixed-term contracts. Features include free UK number porting, caller ID, call forwarding and voicemail, while users also have the option of using compatible mobile apps to answer calls away from home.
This combination of low monthly pricing, straightforward setup and broadband independence makes Plexatalk one of the strongest alternatives to EE Digital Voice for households that want to modernise their home phone without changing how they use it.
As with any digital landline service, there are a few considerations. Because calls travel over your broadband connection, you’ll need working internet access and powered equipment. Purchasing a VoIP adapter such as the Grandstream HT802 is an additional one-off cost if you wish to keep your existing telephone. Customers who use telecare systems, monitored alarms or other specialist devices should confirm compatibility before switching. It’s also worth checking the inclusive call allowance on lower-priced plans if you make a high volume of landline calls.
For most households, however, Plexatalk strikes an excellent balance between affordability, simplicity and flexibility. It allows you to keep your familiar phone, keep your existing number and separate your home phone from your broadband contract—all without committing to a lengthy agreement.
Phonely is another standalone digital landline provider and is best known for its emphasis on digital landline scam protection rather than simply replacing a traditional home phone. Unlike broadband-bundled services, it operates independently of your broadband provider, allowing you to keep your phone service separate from your internet connection while retaining your existing landline number.
Its main point of difference is a range of scam-blocking home phone features designed to help reduce nuisance and fraudulent calls. Depending on the plan and service, these may include scam screening, suspicious call management and tools aimed at helping households identify or avoid unwanted callers. This makes Phonely particularly relevant for older users, vulnerable households or anyone who receives frequent nuisance calls and wants additional reassurance beyond standard caller identification.
Compared with entry-level residential VoIP providers, however, Phonely’s monthly pricing is generally higher and its service is typically offered on a fixed contract rather than rolling monthly terms. For some households, the additional cost may be worthwhile if the enhanced call-protection features are a priority. Others may prefer a simpler digital phone service with lower monthly costs and greater contractual flexibility.
When considering Phonely vs Plexatalk, the decision largely comes down to your priorities. Phonely may appeal to households that place the greatest value on specialist scam-management tools and are happy to pay more for those additional protections. Plexatalk, by comparison, may be a better fit for households primarily looking for an affordable replacement for EE Digital Voice, with rolling monthly plans, the ability to continue using existing corded or cordless telephones through a VoIP adapter, and the flexibility to keep the phone service independent of their broadband provider.
Neither approach is universally better. If advanced scam protection is your primary concern, Phonely is a strong option. If your goal is simply to replace EE Digital Voice while keeping costs low, retaining your existing phone and preserving the freedom to change broadband providers in the future, Plexatalk is likely to be the more suitable choice.
VoIPfone is one of the UK’s longest-established independent VoIP providers, offering home phone services that are separate from your broadband supplier. For anyone comparing VoIPfone vs EE Digital Voice, the key difference is flexibility. Rather than bundling your phone with a broadband contract, VoIPfone allows you to keep your telephone service independent, making it easier to change internet providers without moving your home number.
Existing landline numbers can usually be ported to VoIPfone, helping you keep the same number when switching away from EE Digital Voice. The service supports a range of compatible equipment, including analogue telephone adapters (ATAs), IP phones and softphone apps, so you can choose the setup that best suits your needs. If you want to continue using an existing telephone, you’ll need suitable hardware such as a VoIP adapter.
VoIPfone offers a range of pricing options depending on how you intend to use the service. Monthly costs vary according to the package and call plan you choose, with additional features and call charges available where required. Residential users can also benefit from features such as voicemail, caller ID, call forwarding and support for multiple devices, making it a capable platform for those who want more than a basic home phone replacement.
Compared with EE Digital Voice, VoIPfone provides greater control over how your phone service is configured and used. However, because it offers a wider range of options and supported devices, it’s generally best suited to users who are comfortable choosing their own equipment or who want more flexibility than a typical broadband-bundled phone service provides.
For households simply looking for a straightforward replacement for EE Digital Voice, providers that supply pre-configured equipment may offer a simpler experience. For users who value choice, flexibility and the capabilities of an independent VoIP UK provider, VoIPfone remains one of the strongest alternatives available.
Andrews & Arnold (A&A) is well known among networking enthusiasts and IT professionals for its highly configurable internet and voice services. If you’re considering Andrews and Arnold VoIP as an alternative to EE Digital Voice, its biggest strength is the level of control it gives users over how their phone service is configured and managed.
Unlike broadband-bundled digital phone services, A&A’s home VoIP offering operates independently of your broadband provider. Customers are typically provided with SIP credentials, allowing them to configure compatible analogue telephone adapters (ATAs), IP phones, VoIP routers or softphone applications. This flexibility makes it possible to tailor the service to a wide range of home and small business setups.
That same flexibility also means the service has a steeper learning curve than providers that supply pre-configured equipment. Users are generally expected to select compatible hardware, enter configuration details and manage their own device settings. Pricing can also be more complex than simple bundled home phone packages, with different options depending on your chosen service and calling requirements.
For technically confident users, these aren’t drawbacks—they’re often the main reason for choosing A&A. The ability to use preferred hardware, access SIP settings directly and fine-tune a VoIP setup makes it one of the most capable technical VoIP providers in the UK.
However, if your goal is simply to replace EE Digital Voice with a straightforward, plug-and-play home phone service that works with minimal setup, a provider offering pre-configured adapters and guided installation may be the more practical choice. A&A is at its best when you want flexibility and control, rather than the simplest possible migration from a traditional landline.
If you’re replacing EE Digital Voice, another option is to move your home phone to a different broadband provider rather than choosing a standalone VoIP service. Providers including BT Digital Voice, Sky’s home phone service, Vodafone Home Phone and TalkTalk Digital Voice all offer internet-based calling as part of their broadband packages, reflecting the UK’s ongoing migration away from the traditional copper telephone network, which is expected to continue through January 2027.
These services all follow a broadly similar model. Your home phone is bundled with your broadband, the provider supplies the necessary router or compatible equipment, and your calls are carried over your internet connection instead of the old PSTN network.
There are several advantages to this approach. Having a broadband and digital phone package means you typically receive one monthly bill and deal with a single supplier for both services. The required equipment is usually provided as part of your broadband package, reducing the amount of setup needed. If you’re already happy with your broadband provider, adding or keeping their digital phone service can also be a convenient choice, with support, billing and account management all handled in one place.
However, these bundled services also share many of the same limitations. Because the digital landline is tied to your broadband, changing internet providers in the future may mean moving your phone service again or arranging another number port. Most broadband providers also require fixed-term broadband contracts, so your phone service is effectively linked to those commitments. In addition, the phone service often relies on the provider’s own router or supplied equipment, giving you less freedom to choose your preferred hardware or configure the service in the way you might with an independent VoIP provider.
For households that value simplicity and want to keep everything with one supplier, a bundled service from BT, Sky, Vodafone or TalkTalk can be a practical replacement for EE Digital Voice. If, however, your priority is keeping your phone service independent of your broadband, making it easier to switch internet providers while retaining your number and existing setup, a standalone VoIP provider is generally the more flexible long-term solution.
For some households, the simplest alternative to EE Digital Voice is not another landline service at all. If you rarely use your home phone, have reliable mobile coverage and don’t need to keep your existing geographic landline number, switching entirely to a mobile phone may be the most cost-effective option.
This approach often works well for single-person households, people who already make most of their calls on a mobile, or those who no longer have a practical need for a dedicated home telephone. Removing the landline can simplify monthly bills and eliminate the need for broadband-connected phone equipment.
However, replacing a home phone with a mobile isn’t the right choice for everyone. If you want to leave EE and keep your landline number, a mobile-only solution may not be suitable, particularly if retaining a long-established geographic number is important for friends, family or local contacts. Mobile reception can also vary, and poor indoor signal may affect call quality and reliability.
Shared households may find a single mobile less convenient than a traditional home phone that everyone can answer. Likewise, some older users prefer the familiarity of a dedicated handset with larger buttons, louder ringers or cordless extensions around the home. While it’s possible to buy equipment that mimics a home phone using a mobile SIM, this is an additional purchase rather than a standard mobile setup.
For households that still value a shared home phone but want more flexibility than EE Digital Voice offers, a standalone VoIP service is usually the better long-term alternative.
Choosing the best replacement for EE Digital Voice is about more than monthly price. Consider whether the service is independent of your broadband, whether you can continue using your existing telephone, if number porting is included, and whether you’re tied into a long-term contract. The table below compares the key decision-making factors for the main types of EE Digital Voice alternatives.
Important: Fields marked “Verify” should be checked against the provider’s latest published information before publication to ensure pricing, features and contract terms remain accurate.
| Provider / Type | Standalone | Starting price | Unlimited option | Contract | Free number porting | Existing phone support | Adapter offered | App option | Broadband freedom | Scam protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plexatalk | Yes | From £4/month | Yes | Rolling monthly | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Call blocking and security features |
| Phonely | Yes | Verify | Yes | Verify | Verify | Verify | Verify | Verify | Yes | Specialist protection-focused features |
| VoIPfone | Yes | Verify | Verify | Verify | Verify | Yes | Verify | Yes | Yes | Verify |
| Andrews & Arnold | Yes | Verify | Usage-based | Rolling / Verify | Verify | Yes | Customer-configured | Yes | Yes | Limited / Verify |
| BT Digital Voice | No | Package-based | Package dependent | Broadband contract | Usually | Usually | Provider-supplied equipment | Limited | No | Basic caller features |
| EE Digital Home Phone | No | Package-based | Package dependent | Broadband contract | Usually | Usually | Provider-supplied equipment | Limited | No | Basic caller features |
| Sky / Vodafone / TalkTalk | No | Package-based | Package dependent | Broadband contract | Usually | Usually | Provider-supplied equipment | Limited | No | Varies by provider |
Prices and features were checked in [Month] 2026. Providers regularly update pricing, contracts and included features, so always confirm the latest information directly with the provider before ordering.
If you’re deciding between EE Digital Home Phone and Plexatalk, the biggest difference isn’t simply the monthly cost—it’s how your home phone service is managed. EE Digital Home Phone is designed to work as part of an EE broadband package, while Plexatalk is a standalone residential VoIP service that remains independent of your broadband provider.
For many households, that distinction becomes important the next time they want to change broadband. With a standalone VoIP service, your phone number and home phone service stay separate from your internet contract, so switching broadband doesn’t usually mean moving your phone service again.
| Feature | EE Digital Home Phone | Plexatalk |
|---|---|---|
| Works independently of broadband provider | No | Yes |
| Use an existing telephone | Supported through EE’s setup | Yes, using a VoIP adapter |
| Keep your existing number | Generally, subject to eligibility | Yes, subject to successful porting |
| Entry monthly price | Verify current EE pricing | From £4 per month |
| Contract structure | Linked to broadband arrangement | Rolling monthly |
| Change broadband without changing phone provider | No | Yes |
| Mobile call forwarding | Check current EE features | Included |
| VoIP app support | Check current EE features | Available on request |
| Adapter provision | EE-supplied equipment and setup | Optional pre-configured adapter |
| Number porting fee | Verify current policy | No charge |
For customers who are already committed to EE broadband and prefer having one provider for both internet and home phone, EE Digital Home Phone can be a convenient solution. The required equipment is supplied as part of the service, and existing landline numbers can generally be retained when migrating.
Plexatalk takes a different approach. Its service is designed to work with almost any broadband connection, allowing you to keep your phone service even if you later switch internet providers. Existing corded and cordless telephones can continue to be used with a pre-configured VoIP adapter, while rolling monthly plans provide greater flexibility than a broadband-linked arrangement.
Ultimately, the most significant difference is the relationship between your broadband and your phone service. With EE Digital Home Phone, the two are closely connected. With Plexatalk, they are independent. That means changing broadband doesn’t normally require changing your home phone provider as well, giving you greater flexibility while still allowing you to keep your existing landline number and familiar telephone.
When comparing EE Digital Voice cost with standalone VoIP providers, it’s worth looking beyond the monthly subscription. The real cost includes any activation fee, equipment, inclusive call allowance and what you’ll pay after the first year once any one-off costs have been covered.
For many households, Plexatalk offers a cheaper alternative to EE Digital Voice, particularly if you want to keep your existing phone and separate your home phone from your broadband provider. All residential plans are on a rolling monthly basis, include free UK number porting, caller ID and call forwarding, while selected plans also include calls to more than 60 international destinations, including the USA, Canada and Australia, subject to the plan’s fair usage policy.
Plexatalk Micro is designed for households making occasional calls.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly plan | £4.00 |
| One-off activation | £15 |
| Optional Grandstream HT802 adapter | £50 |
| First-year total (with adapter) | £113 |
| Ongoing annual cost | £48 |
| Effective monthly cost after year one | £4.00 |
With 100 inclusive UK landline and mobile minutes each month, this plan is often suitable for households that mainly receive calls but still want to keep a traditional home phone.
Plexatalk Standard includes 500 UK landline and mobile minutes with no connection fee.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly plan | £10.00 |
| One-off activation | Free |
| Optional Grandstream HT802 adapter | £50 |
| First-year total (with adapter) | £170 |
| Ongoing annual cost | £120 |
| Effective monthly cost after year one | £10.00 |
For many households, this strikes a good balance between monthly cost and inclusive call allowance, while also including calls to eligible international destinations.
If you make frequent landline calls, Plexatalk Unlimited includes unlimited UK landline and mobile calls, subject to a 2,000-minute monthly fair usage policy.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly plan | £12.50 |
| One-off activation | Free |
| Optional Grandstream HT802 adapter | £50 |
| First-year total (with adapter) | £200 |
| Ongoing annual cost | £150 |
| Effective monthly cost after year one | £12.50 |
Compared with EE’s current Unlimited UK Digital Home Phone pricing, many heavy callers could reduce their ongoing monthly cost while also gaining the flexibility of a standalone service that isn’t tied to their broadband provider. The inclusion of international destinations on eligible plans may also reduce overseas calling costs for households with friends or family abroad.
The biggest potential saving isn’t simply the monthly subscription. With a standalone VoIP provider, your phone service remains independent of your broadband supplier. That means if you decide to change broadband in the future, you won’t normally need to move your home phone service again. Over several years, that flexibility can be just as valuable as the lower monthly cost, making the overall EE home phone price comparison about long-term ownership rather than headline pricing alone.
Yes, in many cases you can keep your EE landline number when switching to an independent digital landline provider. This process is known as number porting and allows your existing geographic phone number to be transferred from EE to your new provider. However, not every transfer is successful first time, so it’s important to follow the correct process and avoid cancelling your existing service too early.
Before starting the switch, make sure your EE landline is active and working. If the service has already been cancelled or disconnected, transferring the number may become more difficult or, in some cases, no longer be possible.
Choose your replacement provider and complete the signup process before making any changes to your existing EE service. If you’re moving to Plexatalk, you’ll also be asked whether you want to keep your current number and whether you need a VoIP adapter to continue using your existing telephone.
To transfer your EE number to VoIP, your new provider will normally ask for details such as your current phone number, account information and the installation address. These details are used to submit the port request to the losing provider. It’s important that the information matches your existing account records, as data mismatches are one of the most common reasons for delays or failed ports.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to cancel EE Digital Voice before the number transfer has completed. In most cases, you should let your new provider manage the porting process. Cancelling the service prematurely can affect the transfer and may make it harder to recover the number if the line becomes inactive.
If you’re also changing broadband providers, try to coordinate both changes together. Because EE Digital Home Phone is generally linked to your broadband service, careful timing can help minimise disruption. A standalone VoIP provider keeps your phone service separate once the transfer has completed, making future broadband changes much simpler.
Once the transfer is complete, check that both incoming and outgoing calls work correctly. If you’re using your existing telephone through a VoIP adapter, confirm that caller ID, voicemail and any call forwarding features are working as expected.
Porting times vary between providers. With Plexatalk, number transfers commonly take around one week where the number has not previously been ported and around two weeks where it has, although delays, retries and occasional failures can occur. Individual ports may be affected by inactive services, incompatible number ranges, incorrect account details or other operational issues, so no provider can guarantee that every transfer will complete without complication.
Yes. An independent VoIP service can normally operate over an EE broadband connection because your phone provider and broadband provider do not have to be the same company.
This is one of the biggest differences between EE Digital Home Phone and a standalone VoIP provider. With EE Digital Home Phone, your home phone is typically part of your EE broadband service. By contrast, an independent provider hosts your phone number separately, allowing your broadband and phone services to be managed independently.
The setup is straightforward. Your broadband router continues to provide your internet connection as normal. A VoIP adapter plugs into the router, and your existing corded or cordless telephone plugs into the adapter. The adapter then connects securely to your independent phone provider over your broadband connection, allowing you to continue using your familiar home phone without relying on EE Digital Voice.
For Plexatalk customers, the signup process includes asking whether you’d like to keep your existing landline number and whether you need a pre-configured VoIP adapter to continue using your current telephone. This helps make switching as straightforward as possible while allowing many households to keep the equipment they already own.
One of the biggest long-term advantages of this approach is flexibility. If you decide to leave EE broadband in the future, your phone service doesn’t normally have to move with it because your number is hosted by the independent VoIP provider rather than your broadband company. In most cases, you can simply connect the same adapter to your new broadband router and continue using your existing phone and landline number.
For households that want to keep EE broadband without Digital Voice, or separate broadband and phone providers altogether, an independent phone provider with EE broadband offers a practical way to retain the convenience of a home phone while avoiding it being tied to a single broadband contract.
In most cases, yes. One of the biggest advantages of moving from EE Digital Voice to an independent VoIP provider is that you can often continue using the home telephone you already own. Rather than replacing your handset, a compatible analogue telephone adapter (ATA) connects your existing phone to your broadband router, allowing calls to be made over the internet.
For Plexatalk customers, the recommended option is the Grandstream HT802, a pre-configured analogue telephone adapter designed to work with many standard residential telephones. This allows customers to continue using familiar handsets without needing to configure VoIP settings themselves.
Most corded analogue telephones work well when connected through a compatible adapter. The same is true for the majority of cordless DECT phone systems, where the base station plugs into the adapter while all paired handsets continue to communicate wirelessly with that base. If you already have multiple cordless handsets registered to a single base unit, they will usually continue working as they do today.
Some households also have extension wiring that distributes the phone connection to several sockets around the home. Whether this continues to work depends on how your property is wired and how the adapter is installed. In some cases, existing extension sockets can be reused, while others may require changes to the internal wiring.
Not every device is guaranteed to be compatible. Older pulse-dial telephones may not function correctly because many VoIP adapters are designed for modern tone-dialling (DTMF) phones. Likewise, alarm systems, monitored security equipment, telecare devices, medical alert systems and fax machines should always be checked before switching. Some specialist equipment may require specific configuration, alternative connection methods or may not be supported over VoIP services at all.
If you rely on any safety-critical or specialist telephone-connected equipment, it’s important to confirm compatibility with both the equipment manufacturer and your chosen phone provider before arranging a number port. Taking a few minutes to check beforehand can help ensure a smooth transition while allowing you to continue using your existing home phone wherever possible.
Unlike a traditional copper landline, a digital phone service depends on both electricity and an internet connection. That means if there’s a power cut or your broadband stops working, your home phone may also stop working until service is restored.
Several pieces of equipment need power for a typical VoIP setup. Your broadband router must be switched on, your VoIP adapter (such as the Grandstream HT802) requires power, and if you use a cordless DECT phone, its base station also needs electricity. Even if your handset is fully charged, it won’t normally work if the base station has no power.
There are several ways to improve resilience. A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) can keep your router and VoIP adapter running for a limited period during a power cut, depending on the battery capacity and the equipment connected. Many providers, including Plexatalk, also support call forwarding to a mobile phone, allowing incoming calls to reach you even if your home equipment is unavailable. In addition, compatible VoIP apps can be used over mobile data, enabling you to make and receive calls using your landline number when your fixed broadband connection is unavailable, provided mobile coverage is available.
No single solution protects against every type of outage. A UPS won’t help if your broadband network itself is unavailable, while mobile forwarding and VoIP apps depend on having reliable mobile signal and data coverage.
If you rely on your home phone for emergency contact, have telecare, monitored alarms or other safety-critical equipment, you should discuss compatibility with your equipment supplier and make an individual resilience plan before switching. Recent attention around the UK’s digital landline migration has highlighted the importance of planning ahead, particularly for vulnerable users and households in areas where power, broadband or mobile coverage may be less reliable.
Moving away from EE Digital Voice doesn’t have to be complicated. If you plan the switch carefully, you can usually keep your existing landline number, continue using your current telephone and minimise any disruption to your home phone service.
Important: Do not cancel your telephone service before the number transfer has been agreed with your new provider. If you’re keeping EE broadband, make sure EE has moved you onto a broadband-only product before your landline number is ported. Otherwise, the number port may also cease your broadband service because the phone line and broadband are still linked.
The best EE Digital Voice alternative depends less on the technology and more on how you use your home phone. Here’s a quick way to narrow down the right option for your household.
If your priority is keeping the corded or cordless phone you already know, choose an independent VoIP provider that offers a pre-configured analogue telephone adapter. This lets you continue using your existing handset while moving away from EE Digital Voice with minimal disruption.
If you make relatively few calls, compare entry-level rolling monthly plans rather than focusing solely on bundled broadband packages. Look at the total cost, including activation, equipment, inclusive minutes and any call charges, to find the best long-term value.
If you’re likely to switch broadband providers in the future, a standalone VoIP service is usually the best choice. Because your phone service is independent of your broadband supplier, you won’t normally need to move your landline every time you change internet provider.
Some providers place a much greater emphasis on nuisance-call reduction and scam management than others. If this is your highest priority, compare the specific screening, blocking and call-protection features each provider offers rather than looking at price alone.
If simplicity is more important than flexibility, a broadband provider’s digital phone service may be the right option. Bundling your broadband and home phone together means one supplier and one monthly bill, although your phone service will usually remain tied to that broadband provider.
If you rarely use a landline and don’t need to keep a traditional home phone, a mobile-only setup or a VoIP app could be sufficient. However, if keeping your existing geographic number is important, check that it can be ported before cancelling your current service.
Yes. EE Digital Voice (also called EE Digital Home Phone) is a type of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service. Instead of using the traditional copper telephone network, calls are made over your broadband connection. The main difference is that EE provides VoIP as part of its broadband service, whereas independent VoIP providers allow you to keep your home phone separate from your broadband provider.
The cheapest option depends on how many calls you make. If you only make occasional calls, an entry-level rolling monthly VoIP plan can be significantly less expensive than a broadband-bundled home phone service. Compare the total cost—including activation fees, equipment, inclusive minutes and ongoing monthly charges—rather than looking only at the advertised monthly price.
No. Independent VoIP services work over your internet connection rather than depending on EE’s Digital Home Phone platform. Your VoIP adapter simply connects to your broadband router. If you later change broadband providers and receive a different router, you would normally reconnect the same adapter to the new router.
Yes, reputable UK residential VoIP providers support access to 999 and 112 emergency services. You’ll normally be asked to register the address where the service is primarily used so emergency operators receive the correct location information. As with any digital phone service, emergency calling depends on a working internet connection and powered equipment.
For many households, yes. Plexatalk’s residential plans start from £4 per month and are available on rolling monthly terms, with free number porting included. Depending on your calling habits, this may represent a lower ongoing cost than EE Digital Home Phone, particularly if you don’t need a bundled broadband package.
Transfer times vary between providers and individual circumstances. With Plexatalk, ports commonly complete in around one week where the number hasn’t previously been ported and around two weeks where it has. Delays can occur if account details don’t match, the number has a complex history or the transfer requires further validation.
The right replacement for EE Digital Voice depends on what matters most to your household.
If you prefer having your broadband and home phone from the same company, EE, BT, Sky, Vodafone and TalkTalk all offer bundled digital phone services that can be convenient for existing broadband customers. If reducing nuisance and scam calls is your highest priority, protection-focused providers such as Phonely may be worth considering for their additional call-screening features. Users who want extensive configuration options and direct control over their equipment may find providers such as Andrews & Arnold or VoIPfone a better fit.
For many households, however, the best balance of affordability, flexibility and simplicity comes from an independent provider such as Plexatalk. With residential plans starting from £4 per month, rolling monthly service, free UK number porting, optional pre-configured Grandstream HT802 adapters for existing telephones and the freedom to use almost any broadband provider, it offers a straightforward way to replace EE Digital Voice without replacing the way you use your home phone.
Perhaps the biggest long-term advantage is independence. Because your phone service is separate from your broadband provider, you can usually change broadband in the future without having to move your landline again. For households that want to keep their existing phone, keep their existing number and avoid unnecessary long-term contracts, that makes Plexatalk one of the strongest EE Digital Voice alternatives currently available.
With the UK PSTN switch-off now less than a year away, millions of households are looking for a replacement for their traditional landline. Residential VoIP providers offer a flexible alternative, allowing you to keep your phone number, reduce costs and make calls over your broadband connection.
As the traditional phone network (PSTN) gets phased out, more households are discovering how easy and affordable it is to make calls over the internet. That’s where home VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) comes in — a modern phone solution that lets you make and receive calls using your broadband connection instead of old copper lines.
Choosing the right residential VoIP provider makes all the difference. You’ll want one that delivers reliable call quality, helpful UK-based support, transparent pricing, and the right mix of features — from call forwarding and voicemail to mobile apps and number porting.
In this guide, we compare some of the top UK residential VoIP providers — including Plexatalk, Voipfone, Andrews & Arnold (A&A), Phonely, Vonage, and more — to help you find the perfect fit for your home.
Before diving into detailed reviews, here’s a quick at-a-glance look at how the UK’s leading residential VoIP providers stack up on pricing, features, and best use cases.
| Provider | Monthly Price | Minutes Included / Structure | Over-Usage / Fair Use | Contract / Cancellation | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plexatalk | £4 / £6 / £10 / £12.50 | 100 / 250 / 500 / Unlimited (2,000-min fair use) | 2p/min landlines, 5p/min mobiles beyond allowance | No contract – monthly rolling | Best Value Families & home users |
| Voipfone | £6 / £9 / £14 | 100 / 300 / Unlimited UK minutes | Additional charges for some premium features | No contract – flexible monthly plans | Most Features Power users |
| A&A (Andrews & Arnold) | ~£1.80/month + usage | Pay-as-you-go | Typically around 1.5p/min for UK landlines | No fixed term – fully flexible | Technical Low-usage & tech-savvy users |
| Phonely | ~£11.97/month | Unlimited (fair-use policy applies) | Subject to fair-use limits | 12-month minimum term | Unlimited Calls Frequent callers |
| Vonage | From £6.99/month | 1,000 UK landline minutes | Additional charges apply beyond allowance | 12-month contract | Established Brand Brand-conscious households |
A low-cost, UK-focused VoIP option that’s simple to set up and flexible with monthly rolling contracts.
Combines a strong feature set with flexible, no-commitment plans ideal for most households.
Transparent, usage-based billing that appeals to technically minded users.
An affordable, all-in-one option offering the feel of unlimited calling with fair-use protection.
Why it stands out: A well-known name offering premium features, high reliability, and flexible plans.
Many people looking for a landline replacement start by asking a simple question: what is the cheapest VoIP provider in the UK?
The good news is that residential VoIP services are often significantly cheaper than traditional home phone packages. While many broadband providers now charge extra for Digital Voice services, independent VoIP providers allow you to keep your phone number and only pay for the calling package you need.
For light users, the cheapest residential VoIP providers typically start at around £4 to £6 per month. These entry-level plans usually include a bundle of UK minutes and core features such as voicemail, caller ID and call forwarding.
If keeping costs as low as possible is your priority, it’s worth considering how many minutes you actually use each month. Many households make fewer calls than they did a decade ago and may find that a lower-cost package provides better value than paying for unlimited calls they rarely use.
Based on pricing at the time of writing, some of the cheapest residential VoIP providers in the UK include:
However, the cheapest VoIP provider is not always the best option. Factors such as UK-based support, number porting, call quality and ease of setup can be just as important as monthly price. For most households, the best value comes from balancing affordability with reliability and customer service.
If you’re replacing a traditional landline after the PSTN switch-off, it’s worth comparing both price and features before choosing a provider.
One of the biggest reasons people switch to VoIP is to keep their existing landline number after moving broadband provider, upgrading to Full Fibre, or preparing for the UK landline switch-off.
Fortunately, most residential VoIP providers support number porting, allowing you to transfer your existing landline number and continue using it just as you always have. Friends, family and businesses can keep calling the same number while your phone service moves to a modern digital platform.
When comparing VoIP providers for number porting, there are several factors to consider:
Some providers charge a fee to transfer your existing number, while others include porting as part of the service. If keeping costs low is important, it’s worth checking the transfer charges before signing up.
Many households want to continue using their existing cordless phones rather than purchasing new equipment. Providers that support VoIP adapters can often allow customers to keep using the handsets they already own.
For less technical users, provider support can make a huge difference. A provider that helps coordinate the number transfer process and equipment setup can reduce stress and minimise downtime.
One of the advantages of independent VoIP providers is that your phone number becomes separate from your broadband provider. This means you can switch broadband companies in the future without having to move your phone number again.
For customers whose main goal is keeping a long-held landline number, providers such as Plexatalk, Voipfone and A&A all offer number porting services. The best choice will depend on your budget, technical confidence and the level of support you want during the migration process.
With the PSTN switch-off approaching in January 2027, transferring your landline number to a VoIP provider is becoming one of the simplest ways to future-proof your home phone service while retaining the number you’ve had for years.
Support quality and responsiveness can make or break a VoIP experience, especially for home users who just want their phone to work.
Takeaway: Plexatalk, Voipfone, and A&A stand out for clearly UK-based, personable support — an important consideration for non-technical home users.
Few residential VoIP providers publish exact uptime statistics, but general reliability can be inferred from user experiences and technical transparency.
Takeaway: Voipfone and A&A are noted for transparency and reliability, while Plexatalk and Phonely offer solid everyday performance at home-user pricing.
Across public reviews and forums, a few clear patterns emerge:
Overall sentiment: UK-based providers tend to excel in customer contact and personal touch, while larger brands deliver more scale and polish.
Ease of installation is a major consideration for home users moving away from landlines.
Best for ease of setup: Voipfone and Phonely lead for simplicity, while Plexatalk provides a friendly middle ground with direct support. A&A is best suited to those comfortable with technical configuration.
Yes — in most cases, home VoIP is significantly cheaper than traditional BT landlines.
While a standard landline often costs £20–£30 per month before adding call charges, VoIP plans typically start from around £4–£6 per month, including a bundle of minutes. Because VoIP runs over your broadband, you’re not paying for a separate phone line, and calls (especially to other VoIP numbers) are often free or much lower in cost.
Absolutely. You can port your existing landline number to a VoIP provider so you don’t lose your familiar contact number.
The process usually takes a few days, and your provider will handle it with your current network. There may be a small one-time porting fee, but once it’s complete, you’ll be able to use your number from any VoIP phone or mobile app, anywhere in the UK (or even abroad).
VoIP doesn’t need much bandwidth — just a stable, reliable connection.
A single high-quality VoIP call typically uses 100–150 kbps (less than 0.2 Mbps), so even basic broadband or 4G can handle several calls at once. The key factor isn’t speed but stability: make sure your connection has low latency and minimal packet loss for the best audio quality.
For best results:
Aim for at least 2 Mbps upload and download if multiple people will be calling or streaming.
Use a wired connection or strong Wi-Fi signal for desk phones and adapters.
Yes — when configured correctly, VoIP is safe and secure.
Modern providers use encryption (such as TLS and SRTP) to protect your calls and credentials. It’s also worth enabling strong passwords on your VoIP devices and avoiding open public Wi-Fi for sensitive conversations.
Reputable UK providers, including Plexatalk, also monitor for fraudulent or unusual activity, helping prevent unauthorised use of your account.
If you’re wondering whether you can use your own router with EE Digital Home Phone, the short answer is: not fully.
EE’s Digital Home Phone service is closely tied to EE’s own broadband hardware. While you may be able to use a third-party router for internet access in some setups, EE’s digital voice service typically relies on EE’s Smart Hub and configuration systems to support a traditional home phone handset.
Without EE’s hardware, the main alternative is using EE’s mobile app for calls instead of a physical phone connected through your router. For many households, that means losing the simplicity of a normal cordless or desk handset setup.
This isn’t unusual among major broadband providers. Many UK ISPs now bundle digital voice services that are designed to work primarily within their own hardware ecosystem. The advantage is simplicity and support, but it can reduce flexibility for users who prefer custom networking equipment, mesh Wi-Fi systems, or advanced router features.
Independent VoIP providers take a different approach. Rather than locking phone services to a specific router, they usually allow you to use compatible routers, IP phones, adapters, and Wi-Fi systems from a wide range of manufacturers. That flexibility can make it easier to build a setup that suits your home or business without being tied to a single provider’s hardware.
EE Digital Home Phone is a digital voice service that works over your broadband connection instead of the old copper phone network. Rather than plugging your phone line directly into a traditional wall socket, calls are handled through internet-based voice technology, often referred to as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
In most cases, the service is designed to work alongside EE’s Smart Hub router. Compatible home phones connect either wirelessly to the hub or through the phone port built into the router itself. This setup allows EE to manage broadband and phone services together as part of a single integrated system.
For customers, this approach can make installation and support simpler. EE controls the router, firmware, and voice configuration, helping ensure the service works consistently without requiring manual setup.
However, it also means the phone service is closely tied to EE-managed hardware. Unlike some independent VoIP services, EE does not generally provide customers with open SIP credentials or manual VoIP configuration details. SIP credentials are the login details normally used to connect third-party routers, IP phones, or VoIP adapters directly to a phone service.
As a result, even if your broadband connection works through a third-party router, the Digital Home Phone feature itself may not function unless the EE Smart Hub remains part of the setup. For users who prefer advanced networking equipment or fully custom home networks, this can limit flexibility compared to standalone VoIP providers.
In many cases, yes — you can replace the EE router for your broadband connection. However, there’s an important catch: your EE Digital Home Phone service may no longer work correctly once the EE Smart Hub is removed.
For internet access alone, many third-party routers can work with EE broadband if they support the correct connection settings. Advanced users often choose their own router to improve Wi-Fi coverage, use mesh networking systems, gain more control over security settings, or access features not available on ISP-supplied hardware.
The challenge is the phone service.
EE’s Digital Home Phone platform is typically integrated directly into the Smart Hub. The router handles voice provisioning, authentication, and communication with EE’s systems behind the scenes. Because EE does not normally provide SIP credentials for manual setup, most third-party routers, VoIP phones, or adapters cannot connect directly to the service.
This means that replacing the router entirely may cause:
Some technically experienced users attempt partial workarounds. One common option is using the EE Smart Hub alongside another router in a double NAT setup. In this arrangement, the EE hub continues handling the phone service while a separate router manages most of the home network.
Another approach involves bridge mode or modem-only configurations where supported, although EE’s hardware options can be more limited compared to some broadband providers. In practice, bridge mode support is not always straightforward on ISP routers, and results can vary depending on the exact EE equipment and connection type.
While these setups can work, they often add complexity and may create issues with port forwarding, gaming, VPNs, or smart home devices due to the layered network structure.
For users who want complete freedom to choose their own networking hardware, an independent VoIP provider is usually the more flexible solution. Because the phone service is separate from the broadband router, you can typically use compatible routers, IP phones, ATA adapters, or mesh systems without being locked into a single ISP device.
For many households and small businesses, bundled digital phone services from broadband providers are convenient. Everything is managed in one package, with a single bill and a router that arrives preconfigured.
However, more users are starting to look at independent VoIP providers because they offer something many ISP-based phone systems do not: flexibility.
With an independent VoIP service, the phone line is usually separate from the broadband router itself. Instead of relying on a specific ISP hub, you can typically use any compatible networking equipment that suits your setup. That includes popular systems and brands such as UniFi, Asus, DrayTek, TP-Link, MikroTik, Netgear, and many others.
This gives users far more control over how their home or office network operates.
For example, many people now use mesh Wi-Fi systems to improve wireless coverage throughout larger homes. Others want advanced firewall controls, VPN support, VLANs, parental controls, traffic prioritisation, or business-grade reliability features that standard ISP routers may not offer. With an independent VoIP provider, you are generally free to choose the router and network hardware that best fits those needs without affecting your phone service.
Another advantage is simpler network design. Because the phone service is not tightly integrated into ISP hardware, users can avoid complicated double NAT setups or having to keep an ISP router connected solely for voice functionality. This can make installation cleaner and troubleshooting easier.
Independent VoIP services can also make switching broadband providers more straightforward. If your phone number and voice service are separate from your internet connection, changing ISP does not necessarily mean replacing your phone setup as well. In many cases, you can keep the same VoIP service, phone number, handsets, and internal configuration while simply changing the broadband connection underneath.
For businesses and more technical users, that flexibility can be especially valuable. It allows the network and phone system to evolve independently rather than being locked into a single provider ecosystem.
Providers such as Plexatalk are part of this more open approach to digital phone services, giving customers the ability to use compatible hardware and build a setup that works around their own requirements rather than around ISP limitations.
One of the biggest advantages of independent VoIP services is that they can work across a wide range of internet connections and networking setups.
Instead of relying on a specific ISP router, VoIP can usually be configured using your own compatible hardware. That might include a dedicated VoIP desk phone, a cordless handset connected through an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter), or even mobile and desktop apps that let you take calls over Wi-Fi or mobile data.
For users who still want a traditional home phone experience, ATA adapters are a popular option. These small devices allow standard cordless or wired phones to connect to a VoIP service through your existing router. Alternatively, IP phones can connect directly to the network and often include advanced features such as HD calling, call transfers, voicemail management, and multiple extensions.
Because the phone system is separate from the broadband provider, VoIP can work over almost any internet connection, including:
More advanced users can also fine-tune their network for better call quality. Features such as QoS (Quality of Service) can prioritise voice traffic to reduce interruptions or latency during calls, especially on busy networks. Some business-grade routers additionally support VLANs, allowing voice traffic to be separated from other devices for improved management and reliability, although this is optional for most home users.
This flexibility is one reason many people prefer independent VoIP setups when building modern home offices, custom networks, or business phone systems around their own router and Wi-Fi hardware.
| Feature | EE Digital Home Phone | Independent VoIP |
|---|---|---|
| Use your own router | Limited | Yes |
| Router flexibility | Primarily designed for the EE ecosystem | Works with most compatible routers |
| Phone service tied to broadband provider | Yes | No |
| SIP access and manual configuration | Generally restricted | Usually open and configurable |
| Use mobile and desktop apps | Limited options | Yes |
| Hardware choice | Mostly EE-managed hardware | Wide support for phones, adapters, and routers |
| Mesh Wi-Fi compatibility | May require workarounds | Typically straightforward |
| Use with UniFi, Asus, DrayTek, TP-Link, MikroTik | Not always fully supported for voice | Commonly supported |
| Keep phone service when switching ISP | Usually no | Usually yes |
| Advanced network control | Limited | High flexibility |
| Suitable for custom/business networks | Limited | Well suited |
| Traditional handset support without ISP router | Usually difficult | Commonly supported through ATA or IP phones |
For users who simply want an all-in-one broadband and phone package, EE’s Digital Home Phone may be perfectly suitable. However, users who want more control over their network, prefer premium router hardware, or plan to upgrade and change providers more frequently often find independent VoIP services more flexible in the long term.
Independent providers such as Plexatalk allow customers to separate their phone service from their broadband hardware, making it easier to build a setup around the router, Wi-Fi system, and devices they actually want to use.
You can usually use UniFi equipment with EE broadband for internet access, but EE Digital Home Phone may still require the EE Smart Hub to remain connected. This is because the phone service is typically provisioned and managed through EE’s own hardware rather than through open VoIP settings.
For broadband alone, possibly yes — depending on your setup and router compatibility. However, removing the EE Smart Hub entirely will often stop the Digital Home Phone service from working unless you switch to a separate independent VoIP provider.
In most cases, yes. EE’s digital phone service is heavily integrated into the EE router ecosystem, including voice configuration and authentication. Unlike open VoIP services, SIP credentials are not generally provided for third-party devices.
Yes. Independent VoIP services are usually designed to work with a wide range of compatible routers, VoIP phones, ATA adapters, and mesh Wi-Fi systems. This gives users much more flexibility compared to ISP-locked digital voice platforms.
Mesh Wi-Fi systems can work with EE broadband, but complications may arise if the EE Smart Hub is still required for the phone service. Some users run mesh systems alongside the EE router in a double NAT setup, while others use access point mode to simplify networking.
Often yes for broadband connectivity, provided the router supports the required connection settings. However, the EE Digital Home Phone feature itself may still depend on EE hardware remaining connected.
For users who want full router control, advanced Wi-Fi systems, VLANs, VPNs, or business-grade networking features, independent VoIP services are often more flexible because the phone service is not tied to ISP hardware.
For many households, EE Digital Home Phone will work perfectly well as part of a simple bundled broadband setup. If you’re happy using EE’s own router and keeping everything under one provider, the system is designed to be straightforward and easy to manage.
However, some users prefer more flexibility — especially if they already use advanced networking equipment, mesh Wi-Fi systems, or custom router setups. Because EE’s phone service is closely integrated with its own hardware, using third-party routers can sometimes introduce limitations or additional complexity.
Independent VoIP services such as Plexatalk offer a different approach. Your phone service stays separate from your broadband provider, allowing you to use a wider range of routers, VoIP apps, adapters and networking hardware without being locked into one ecosystem.
For users who want more control over their setup, easier provider switching in future, or the ability to keep their landline independent from their broadband connection, standalone VoIP can be a more flexible long-term solution.
You can signup for our home VoIP today here.
For many elderly parents and grandparents, the home phone is still an important part of daily life. It’s familiar, reliable, and often the easiest way for family and friends to stay in touch.
However, across the UK, traditional landlines are being phased out as part of the nationwide landline switch-off. This means the old copper phone network that millions of homes rely on will eventually no longer work in the same way. This raises the question – what is the best landline alternative for elderly parents?
For families, that can sound worrying. The last thing anyone wants is to force older relatives to learn complicated new technology or struggle with unfamiliar devices just to make a phone call.
The good news is that there are simple alternatives available that work almost exactly like a traditional landline. With the right setup, elderly parents can keep using a normal home phone, keep their existing number, and continue making and receiving calls just as they always have — without unnecessary stress or confusion.
Across the UK, the traditional landline network is being replaced with newer digital technology. For decades, home phones have relied on copper telephone lines, but these older systems are becoming harder and more expensive to maintain.
As part of the nationwide digital switchover, Openreach and major telecom providers are gradually retiring the old copper network and moving customers to internet-based phone services instead. This change is happening across the country, and by 2027, most homes will use digital phone services rather than traditional analogue landlines.
Many providers have already stopped installing new copper landlines altogether. In many areas, if someone moves house or changes provider, they may automatically be moved onto a digital phone service without even realising it.
While this upgrade brings benefits such as improved reliability and better call quality, it has also created uncertainty for many families — especially those with elderly parents or grandparents who have used the same type of home phone for years.
For many older people, the home phone is more than just a way to make calls. It’s an important part of everyday life and often their main connection to the outside world.
Elderly relatives may rely on their landline for:
Because of this, changing technology can feel stressful or overwhelming. Complicated apps, smartphones, or unfamiliar devices are often the last thing older relatives want to deal with.
That’s why finding a simple, reliable landline alternative is so important — ideally one that feels familiar and easy to use from day one.
For most elderly parents and grandparents, the best alternative to a traditional landline is a digital landline service using VoIP technology.
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, which simply means phone calls are made through a broadband internet connection instead of the old copper phone network. While the technology behind it is modern, the experience for the person using the phone can remain almost exactly the same.
Calls still sound and behave like normal home phone calls. Elderly relatives can pick up the handset, dial numbers, and receive calls in the familiar way they always have — without needing to use mobile phones, apps, touchscreens, or complicated menus.
This is one of the biggest reasons why VoIP has become the preferred replacement for traditional landlines across the UK.
For many families, the biggest concern is whether elderly parents will need to learn new technology. Thankfully, in most cases, they won’t.
With a simple VoIP adapter, existing home phones can continue working just as before. That means older relatives can often keep:
This makes the transition much less stressful and helps maintain the comfort and routine that many elderly people rely on every day.
Instead of introducing unfamiliar devices, a VoIP setup is designed to work quietly in the background. Once installed, many people barely notice any difference at all apart from the fact the service now runs digitally.
For families supporting elderly relatives, this can provide real peace of mind. It allows parents and grandparents to stay connected safely and reliably, while avoiding the confusion that can sometimes come with modern technology changes.
The best landline alternatives are the ones that feel simple, dependable, and familiar — and that’s exactly why many families are now choosing digital VoIP home phone services.
One of the easiest ways to replace a traditional landline is by using a VoIP adapter.
A VoIP adapter is a small device that connects an existing home phone to a broadband router. Its job is to convert a standard telephone into a digital landline that works over the internet instead of the old copper phone network.
The setup is usually very straightforward. The adapter simply sits between:
Once connected, the phone works much like it always has. Calls can still be made and received in the normal way, but the service now runs digitally behind the scenes.
For elderly parents and grandparents, this is often the simplest and least disruptive option available.
One of the biggest challenges families face during the UK landline switch-off is avoiding unnecessary confusion for older relatives. Many elderly people are perfectly comfortable using their current home phone and may feel anxious about learning entirely new technology.
A VoIP adapter helps remove that worry.
There’s no need to learn how to use apps, smartphones, or internet calling systems. In most cases, the existing home phone continues to work exactly as before. The familiar handset stays the same, the phone number can remain unchanged, and the day-to-day experience feels just like a traditional landline.
This makes the transition much easier for elderly users because:
For many older people, that familiarity is incredibly important. Keeping routines simple and avoiding unnecessary changes can make a big difference to confidence and independence at home.
At Plexatalk, we understand that simplicity matters — especially when helping elderly parents or grandparents stay connected.
That’s why we can provide preconfigured VoIP adapters that are designed to be as easy as possible to install. In many cases, it’s simply a matter of plugging the adapter into the broadband router and connecting the existing phone handset.
There’s no complicated programming or technical setup required, making it ideal for families supporting elderly relatives remotely.
Whether you’re helping parents across town or grandparents living further away, a plug-and-play setup can make the move to digital landlines far less stressful for everyone involved.
One of the biggest concerns families often have is whether elderly parents or grandparents will lose their existing home phone number when switching away from a traditional landline.
The good news is that, in most cases, the answer is no.
With number porting, families can usually keep the same landline number when moving to a digital VoIP phone service. This means older relatives can continue using the number they may have had for many years.
Keeping the existing number is important because it avoids confusion and helps maintain important day-to-day connections, including:
For elderly users especially, keeping familiar details the same can make the transition feel much more comfortable and reassuring.
At Plexatalk, we make the switch to digital landlines as simple as possible.
We offer free number porting, allowing customers to move their existing landline number across without unnecessary hassle. Our team handles the transfer process and provides support throughout setup, helping families feel confident that everything is working correctly.
The goal is to make upgrading from an old landline feel straightforward, stress-free, and familiar for elderly parents and grandparents alike.
One of the most reassuring things about switching to a digital landline is that, for most elderly users, the experience feels almost exactly the same as using a traditional home phone.
There’s no need to learn complicated technology or change familiar routines. In day-to-day use, a digital landline still works like a normal phone:
For elderly parents and grandparents, this familiarity can make a huge difference. The technology behind the service may have changed, but the way they use the phone usually hasn’t.
That’s why many families choose a VoIP-based landline replacement rather than moving older relatives onto smartphones or app-based calling systems. The goal is to keep things simple, comfortable, and reliable.
Once installed, many people barely notice the difference at all — aside from the fact the service now runs through the internet instead of the old copper phone network.
While digital landlines feel familiar to use, they can also include additional features that are particularly useful for older users and their families.
For example, many VoIP services offer:
These features can provide extra peace of mind, especially for families supporting elderly parents from a distance.
At Plexatalk, we focus on making digital phone services simple and dependable, while still offering modern features that genuinely help older users stay connected safely and confidently.
One important difference between traditional landlines and modern digital phone services is that internet-based phones require power to work.
Older copper landlines often continued working during power cuts because they carried their own power through the phone line itself. Digital landlines, including VoIP services, rely on broadband equipment such as routers and adapters, which means they may stop working temporarily if there is a power outage.
For families supporting elderly parents or grandparents, this is an important consideration — especially if the home phone is relied upon for emergency contact.
The good news is that there are several simple ways to reduce this risk, including:
For many households, these solutions provide enough reassurance while still allowing them to benefit from a modern digital phone service.
Despite the power cut consideration, most families still prefer switching to digital landlines because they offer several long-term advantages.
Digital phone services are often more affordable, more flexible, and easier to support than ageing copper landline systems. They are also future-proof, meaning families won’t need to worry about further network changes as the UK landline switch-off continues.
For elderly relatives, the right setup can still feel simple and familiar while giving families access to better support features and more reliable long-term service options.
When helping elderly parents or grandparents move away from traditional landlines, simplicity matters more than anything else.
At Plexatalk, we focus on making the switch to digital phone services as straightforward and stress-free as possible. Our services are designed for families who want a reliable landline alternative without unnecessary complexity or confusing technology.
We offer:
For many families, having support available during the transition provides real peace of mind — especially when helping elderly relatives remotely.
Our goal is to make digital landlines feel approachable and easy from the very beginning.
One of the biggest reasons families choose Plexatalk is because elderly relatives can continue using the technology they already know and trust.
There’s no need to replace familiar home phones with complicated new devices or force older users to learn apps and smartphones.
With the right setup, elderly parents and grandparents can:
In everyday use, the experience remains reassuringly familiar while the service itself is upgraded to modern, future-ready technology.
For many older people, that balance between familiarity and reliability makes all the difference.
Yes. In most cases, elderly parents and grandparents can continue using their existing home phone with a VoIP adapter. This means familiar cordless phones and traditional handsets usually continue to work normally without needing to replace them with newer technology.
Yes. VoIP phone services work over an internet connection rather than old copper phone lines. This can be through fibre broadband, FTTP (Fibre to the Premises), or even 5G broadband in some areas.
The phone service uses the broadband connection quietly in the background, so everyday use still feels like a normal home phone.
No. Modern VoIP services are designed to be simple to install, especially when using a preconfigured adapter.
In many cases, the setup simply involves plugging the adapter into the broadband router and connecting the existing phone handset. Once connected, the phone is ready to use much like a traditional landline.
For families helping elderly relatives remotely, this can make the transition far less stressful.
Yes. Existing landline numbers can usually be transferred across to a digital VoIP service through a process called number porting.
Keeping the same number helps elderly relatives stay connected with family, friends, doctors, and other important contacts without needing to update everyone with new details.
In many cases, yes.
Digital landline services are often significantly more affordable than older copper-based phone services. Many households find they can reduce monthly phone costs while still keeping the simplicity and familiarity of a normal home phone setup.
At the same time, VoIP services also provide access to modern features and future-proof technology as the UK landline switch-off continues.
If you’re switching to EE Full Fibre, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is: “What happens to my landline number?”
The good news is that in most cases, yes — you can usually keep your landline when switching to EE. While EE Full Fibre no longer uses traditional copper phone lines, home phone services haven’t disappeared. Calls are now made over the internet using digital voice technology instead.
EE offers its own Digital Home Phone service, which works through your broadband connection rather than the old-style wall socket. For many households, that’s a straightforward option. But it’s not the only choice available.
Independent VoIP providers such as Plexatalk give you another way to keep your landline number while often offering more flexibility, lower monthly costs, and features that traditional providers tend to charge extra for.
You can also usually continue using your existing handsets, so there’s no need to replace every phone in the house just because you’re moving to fibre broadband.
In this guide, we’ll explain how EE Digital Voice works, how number transfers work, and what alternatives are available if you’d prefer a different setup.
Yes — but it works very differently from the old-style landlines most people are used to.
Like the rest of the UK telecoms industry, EE is moving away from the traditional copper phone network as part of the nationwide PSTN switch-off. PSTN stands for Public Switched Telephone Network — essentially the old analogue phone system that has been used in UK homes for decades.
Instead of phone calls travelling through a dedicated copper telephone line, EE’s phone service now runs through your broadband connection using digital voice technology.
EE calls this service Digital Home Phone.
So while you can still have a “home phone” with EE Full Fibre, there’s no separate analogue landline connected to the wall socket anymore. Your calls are carried over the internet instead.
With a traditional analogue landline, your phone plugged directly into the copper phone line entering your property. The line itself powered the service and handled calls separately from your broadband.
Digital voice works differently. Your phone service is connected through your broadband router, with calls converted into digital data and sent over your fibre connection.
For most people, day-to-day use feels exactly the same — you still make and receive calls as normal, and you can usually keep your existing number. In many cases, you can also continue using your current home handsets with the right adapter or base station.
In most cases, yes — you can keep your existing landline number when switching to EE Full Fibre or moving to a VoIP provider like Plexatalk.
This process is called number porting. It allows your current phone number to be transferred from your old provider to your new digital phone service.
Whether you’re moving from BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Virgin Media or another provider, landline numbers can usually be ported across without any issues. The main thing is making sure the transfer is handled in the right order.
A lot of people accidentally lose their number by cancelling their broadband or phone package before the number transfer has been arranged.
Once a line is fully cancelled, the number may no longer be available to port.
Porting normally takes a few working days, although timings can vary depending on the provider and whether broadband services are also being changed at the same time.
The key thing to remember is simple: arrange the transfer first, cancel later.
EE’s Digital Home Phone service is designed to replace the traditional landline for customers moving onto Full Fibre broadband.
Instead of using the old copper phone network, calls are handled through your broadband connection using digital voice technology. In practical terms, that means your home phone plugs into your EE router rather than the old telephone wall socket.
Once set up, the experience is very familiar. You still make and receive calls in the usual way, keep your home number, and choose from available call plans depending on how much you use the phone.
EE also offers app-based calling features with some packages, allowing you to answer home phone calls on a mobile device while connected to your account. For households that rely on a landline, this can be a useful extra layer of flexibility.
In many cases, yes.
Some modern cordless phone systems work directly with digital voice services, while older handsets may need an adapter or a compatible base station connected to the router. The exact setup depends on the type of phone you already have at home.
For customers who simply want their home phone to continue working with minimal changes, EE’s system is usually straightforward to install and manage.
That said, Digital Home Phone is primarily built around EE’s own broadband setup and hardware. The service generally works through EE-provided routers and is designed to stay within the EE ecosystem.
For some users, that’s perfectly fine. Others may prefer a more flexible independent VoIP provider, especially if they want additional features, lower ongoing costs, or the ability to use different hardware and apps across multiple devices.
The right option really depends on how you use your home phone and how much control you want over the setup.
For many households, EE Digital Home Phone will do exactly what they need — especially if they want a simple setup bundled with their broadband package.
But it’s not the only option available.
Independent VoIP services such as Plexatalk work differently. Rather than tying your phone service directly to one broadband provider, your number and calling features are managed separately over the internet. That gives you more flexibility if your broadband setup changes later on.
Here’s how the two approaches typically compare:
| Feature | EE Digital Home Phone | Independent VoIP (e.g. Plexatalk) |
|---|---|---|
| Keep existing number | Usually yes | Usually yes |
| Works with broadband | EE broadband only | Most broadband providers |
| Router flexibility | Mainly EE hardware | Wider hardware support |
| Existing handset support | Often yes | Often yes |
| Mobile/desktop apps | Limited to EE options | Wider app/device choice |
| Switching broadband later | Phone service usually tied to EE | Number stays independent |
| Use your number away from home | Limited | Usually much easier |
| Setup complexity | Simple plug-and-play | Slightly more setup initially |
| Ongoing costs | Depends on bundle/call plan | Often lower monthly costs |
| Backup/failover options | EE-managed | More custom options available |
The biggest difference is really about flexibility.
EE’s Digital Home Phone is designed to work as part of a complete EE package. If you’re happy keeping everything under one provider and don’t expect to change your setup often, it can be a convenient option.
Independent VoIP services are often better suited to people who want more control over their number and devices. For example, if you later switch broadband providers, move house, travel regularly, or want to use your home number across multiple phones or apps, a standalone VoIP provider can make that much easier.
There’s also a growing number of households using VoIP as a long-term replacement for the traditional landline — particularly because the number itself becomes separate from the broadband provider.
That means your phone number belongs to you, rather than being closely tied to a specific router or broadband contract.
Neither option is right or wrong. It mainly comes down to whether you prefer simplicity within one provider, or the added flexibility that comes with an independent VoIP setup.
For a growing number of households, independent VoIP services offer something traditional phone packages often don’t: flexibility.
Instead of your home phone being tied directly to your broadband provider, services like Plexatalk let you keep your landline number independently from your internet connection. That means if you decide to switch broadband providers in the future, your phone number can usually stay exactly where it is.
For many people, that’s a big advantage.
It also gives you far more choice over how you use your phone service. You can normally:
In day-to-day use, it can feel much more flexible than the traditional “phone line attached to the broadband” model.
A lot of customers now see VoIP less as a replacement for the old landline, and more as a modern communication service that works across multiple devices and locations.
For example, some people like being able to answer their home number from a mobile app while away from home. Others simply want the reassurance that changing broadband providers later won’t affect their long-standing phone number.
That’s where independent VoIP services often appeal most.
Rather than your number living inside a single broadband package, it becomes portable and future-proofed — giving you more control over how and where you use it over time.
For households that still value their landline number, but want a setup that’s more adaptable going forward, independent VoIP can be a very practical alternative.
In many cases, yes — you can continue using the home phones you already have.
One of the biggest worries people have when moving away from a traditional landline is having to replace all their existing handsets. Thankfully, that’s usually not necessary.
Most modern cordless phone systems work perfectly well with digital voice and VoIP services, either by connecting directly to a compatible base station or by using a simple phone adapter.
If you already use DECT cordless phones around the house, there’s a good chance they’ll continue working much as they do now. Multiple handsets connected to the same base station can normally still be used for incoming and outgoing calls throughout the home.
Many corded phones can also work, although compatibility can vary depending on the model and the setup being used.
With independent VoIP services, customers often have a few different setup options available:
For most households, the transition is far less disruptive than expected.
The aim is usually to keep things familiar — same number, same handsets, same way of making calls — just running through your broadband connection instead of the old copper phone line.
One important thing to understand about Digital Voice services is that they rely on both your broadband connection and your home equipment having power.
With traditional analogue landlines, phones often continued working during a power cut because the copper phone line carried its own power from the exchange. Digital phone services work differently.
If your broadband goes down, your router loses power, or there’s a local outage affecting your internet connection, your home phone service will usually stop working as well.
That applies to EE Digital Home Phone and most VoIP-based services in general.
For many households, this isn’t a major issue because mobile phones are already the main backup method. But it’s still something worth being aware of — particularly for customers who rely heavily on their home number.
Where independent VoIP services can sometimes offer extra flexibility is in how calls are handled during problems or outages.
Depending on the provider and setup, features may include:
So even if your home router is offline, your number may still be reachable elsewhere.
This is one reason some customers prefer keeping their phone service separate from their broadband provider. It can create additional backup options and make the service more portable if something goes wrong at home.
Ultimately, digital phone services are more internet-dependent than old analogue lines — but modern VoIP setups can also offer more flexibility in how calls are received when conditions aren’t ideal.
When comparing EE Digital Home Phone with an independent VoIP provider, the monthly price is only part of the picture.
The bigger difference is often how flexible the service remains later on.
EE’s Digital Home Phone is designed as an add-on to its broadband packages. At the time of writing, EE’s call plans range from around £5.73 per month for pay-as-you-go calling through to around £20.66 per month for unlimited UK calls.
Independent VoIP services such as Plexatalk separate the phone service from the broadband connection itself. That means your landline number can continue working even if you later change internet provider.
Here’s how the two approaches typically compare:
prices correct as of 29th of May 2026 – prices taken from Plexatalk and EE
| Feature | EE Digital Home Phone | Plexatalk |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level plan | £5.73/month (Pay Per Call) | £4/month including 100 mins |
| Unlimited UK calls | ~£20.66/month | £12.50/month |
| Keep existing number | Usually yes | Free porting included |
| Existing phone support | May require compatible setup | Optional adapter available |
| Router flexibility | Primarily EE hardware | Works with most routers |
| Change broadband provider later | Phone tied to EE | Number stays independent |
| Mobile/app flexibility | Limited EE ecosystem | Wider VoIP app/device support |
| Included features | Varies by package | Voicemail, caller ID & forwarding included |
| International calling | Extra plan required | Select destinations included |
Get started with Plexatalk today
For some households, EE’s bundled approach will absolutely make sense. If you want a straightforward setup with one provider handling everything, it keeps things simple.
But independent VoIP can offer better long-term flexibility.
For example, with Plexatalk you can keep your number independent from your broadband provider, use VoIP apps across multiple devices, forward calls to mobiles, and switch internet providers later without needing to migrate your landline again.
It also allows customers to continue using existing home phones with an optional adapter, rather than replacing everything outright.
So while independent VoIP isn’t always about being the absolute cheapest option, many people see it as better long-term value — particularly if they want more control over their number, hardware and future broadband choices.
If you want to move to EE Full Fibre but keep your existing landline number through an independent VoIP provider such as Plexatalk, the process is usually quite straightforward.
The key thing is making sure the number transfer happens before your old phone service is cancelled.
Here’s how it typically works:
Arrange your new EE broadband installation first. At this stage, you don’t need to cancel your current phone service manually.
Keeping the old line active is important for the number transfer process.
Decide which VoIP provider you want to use for your home phone service.
You’ll normally be asked whether you want to:
Your VoIP provider will arrange the transfer of your landline number from your existing provider.
This is known as a number port.
You’ll usually need:
This part is very important.
Do not cancel your existing phone line before the port completes. If the line is cancelled too early, the number can sometimes be lost permanently.
Your current provider should remain active until the transfer date is confirmed.
Once your VoIP service is ready, you can:
On the agreed porting date, your number should begin routing through the new VoIP service.
Test inbound and outbound calls to make sure everything is working correctly.
In many cases, once the number transfer completes, the old phone service linked to that number is automatically ceased by the previous provider.
That’s why it’s important to plan the order carefully and avoid cancelling services too early.
In most cases, yes. Existing landline numbers can usually be transferred to EE Digital Home Phone or to an independent VoIP provider through a process called number porting. The most important thing is not cancelling your current phone line before the transfer is completed.
Usually, yes. EE Digital Home Phone is typically added alongside your broadband package, with separate call plans depending on how you use the service. Prices vary depending on whether you choose pay-as-you-go calls or inclusive call bundles.
EE Digital Home Phone is generally designed to work with EE’s own broadband hardware and routers. Independent VoIP providers are usually more flexible and often work with a much wider range of routers and networking equipment.
Very often, yes. Many cordless DECT phones and even some corded phones can continue working through a VoIP service using an adapter or compatible base station. In most homes, there’s no need to replace every handset.
Digital Voice and VoIP services rely on your broadband connection. If your internet service stops working, your home phone service will normally stop as well until the connection returns.
Usually, yes. Landline numbers can normally be ported between providers, including moving from EE to an independent VoIP provider later on. Some people choose VoIP specifically because it keeps the number independent from the broadband provider long term.
Not normally. Because VoIP relies on broadband equipment and routers powered inside the home, power cuts will usually interrupt the service unless backup power or mobile failover options are in place.
Yes — most UK VoIP providers support emergency 999 and 112 calls. However, because VoIP depends on internet and power availability, it’s sensible to have a mobile phone available as a backup in case of broadband or power outages.
EE Digital Voice is VoIP but it’s locked down to the EE infrastructure.
Switching to EE Full Fibre doesn’t mean losing your landline number.
For most households, keeping your existing number is usually a straightforward process as long as the transfer is handled correctly and the old line isn’t cancelled too early.
EE Digital Home Phone will suit plenty of people who simply want a home phone service bundled neatly alongside their broadband. It’s familiar, relatively simple to set up, and keeps everything under one provider.
At the same time, independent VoIP services offer a different kind of flexibility.
If you’d rather use your own hardware, keep your phone number separate from your broadband provider, or make changing internet providers easier in the future, a standalone VoIP setup can give you more long-term control.
Many customers also like the ability to use apps, adapters, desk phones and call forwarding features in a way that feels more portable and adaptable than the traditional landline model.
Ultimately, both approaches can work well — it just depends on how much flexibility you want from your home phone setup going forward.