EE Digital Home Phone vs VoIP: Which Option Is Best for Your Home?

If you’re an EE customer with a traditional landline, you may have recently received a letter or email explaining that your phone service is being moved to Digital Home Phone. This is part of the UK’s nationwide switch-off of the old copper telephone network, which is affecting millions of households across the country.

Many customers assume that because EE is moving them to Digital Home Phone, they must continue using EE for their home phone service. However, that’s not actually the case.

What many people don’t realise is that EE Digital Home Phone is itself a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service. Instead of calls travelling over the old analogue phone network, they are carried over your broadband connection using internet technology.

This raises an important question: if you’re moving to VoIP anyway, should you simply accept EE’s Digital Home Phone service, or would an independent VoIP provider be a better fit?

In this guide, we’ll explain how EE Digital Home Phone works, how it compares to independent VoIP providers, and what factors you should consider before deciding who should provide your home phone service after the landline switch-off.

What Is EE Digital Home Phone?

EE Digital Home Phone is EE’s replacement for the traditional landline service. Instead of phone calls travelling over the old copper telephone network, calls are carried over your broadband connection using internet technology.

This type of service is known as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). While the name “Digital Home Phone” may sound like a completely new product, it’s simply EE’s version of a VoIP phone service.

For most customers, the transition is designed to be straightforward. Your existing phone number can usually be retained, meaning friends, family and organisations can continue contacting you on the same number you’ve always used. Depending on your broadband equipment and home setup, you may also be able to continue using your existing telephone handset. In some cases, the phone plugs directly into your router, while other setups may require an adapter.

One of the reasons for this change is the UK’s nationwide switch-off of the analogue phone network. As copper-based telephone lines are retired, providers such as EE are moving customers onto digital services that work over broadband instead.

The important thing to understand is that EE Digital Home Phone is a VoIP service provided by EE. The technology behind it is the same technology used by many independent VoIP providers. This means customers are not choosing between “landline” and “VoIP” — they are choosing which VoIP provider they want to use.

What Is VoIP and How Is It Different?

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. In simple terms, it is a technology that allows phone calls to be made and received over an internet connection rather than through the traditional copper telephone network.

As the UK’s analogue phone network is being retired, VoIP is becoming the standard way for home and business phone services to operate. Whether you use EE Digital Home Phone or another provider, your calls are ultimately being carried over broadband using VoIP technology.

This is an important point because many people assume EE Digital Home Phone is a unique technology. In reality, it uses the same underlying principles as other VoIP services available in the UK.

The biggest differences are not usually the technology itself, but the provider behind it. Different VoIP providers offer different pricing structures, features, levels of flexibility and support options. Some services are closely tied to a specific broadband provider or router, while others allow you to use a wider range of equipment and internet connections.

For most customers, the question is not whether to use VoIP—it is which VoIP provider offers the features, pricing and flexibility that best suit their needs.

Pricing Comparison: EE Digital Home Phone vs Independent VoIP Providers

When comparing EE Digital Home Phone with an independent VoIP provider, one of the biggest considerations is cost. While both services use VoIP technology, the way they are packaged and priced can differ significantly.

EE’s Digital Home Phone service is offered alongside its broadband products and is available with a choice of calling plans. At the time of writing, EE’s published Digital Home Phone tariffs are:

EE Digital Home Phone Plan	Monthly Price
Pay Per Call	£5.73
700 Minutes	£9.18
Unlimited Minutes	£20.66
Unlimited Minutes & International	£25.24

Customers on the Pay Per Call plan are charged separately for calls, with EE’s current tariff guide showing calls to UK mobile numbers at 29.58p per minute. Other call charges may apply depending on the number called.

By comparison, independent VoIP providers often offer a wider range of minute allowances designed to suit different levels of usage. For example, Plexatalk’s residential VoIP plans currently include:

Plexatalk Plan	Included Minutes	Monthly Price
Micro	100 minutes	£4.00
Basic	250 minutes	£6.00
Standard	500 minutes	£10.00
Unlimited	Unlimited*	£12.50

*Subject to a fair usage policy of 2,000 minutes per month. Additional UK landline calls are charged at 2p per minute and UK mobile calls at 5p per minute. Free number porting is included.

One factor many people overlook is how little they actually use their home phone. While some households spend hours on the phone every month, others only make occasional calls to family members, healthcare providers, tradespeople, or delivery companies. In these cases, paying for a large inclusive calling package may not always represent the best value.

Independent VoIP providers often allow customers to start with a smaller package and move to a larger plan if their usage increases. This flexibility can make it easier to match monthly costs to actual usage rather than paying for allowances that may never be fully used.

Ultimately, there is no single “best” option for everyone. Heavy callers may prefer an unlimited package, while light users may benefit from a lower-cost plan with a smaller minute allowance. The key is understanding your calling habits and choosing a package that reflects how you actually use your home phone.

Disclaimer: Prices were correct at the time of writing and may change. Always check the latest tariffs and terms directly with the provider before making a purchasing decision. See EE pricing here and Plexatalk pricing here.

Why Some EE Customers Choose Independent VoIP Providers

For many households, EE Digital Home Phone will provide everything they need. However, some customers choose an independent VoIP provider instead. The reasons are often less about call quality—which is generally similar across modern VoIP services—and more about flexibility, control, and how the service fits into their long-term plans.

You’re Not Locked Into One Broadband Provider

One of the biggest advantages of using an independent VoIP provider is that your phone service becomes separate from your broadband provider.

Traditionally, landline numbers were closely tied to the company providing your phone line. With VoIP, your telephone number can be hosted independently and work over almost any broadband connection.

This can make future broadband switching much simpler. If you decide to move from EE to another broadband provider in the future, your phone service does not necessarily need to change. Your number can remain active with the same VoIP provider while your broadband service is switched separately.

For customers who like to shop around for the best broadband deals, this separation can provide additional flexibility and reduce the risk of accidentally disrupting their phone service when changing internet providers.

Hardware Freedom

For many users, hardware flexibility is one of the most significant differences between ISP-provided phone services and independent VoIP providers.

Some broadband providers operate tightly controlled VoIP platforms that are designed to work only with their own routers and equipment. In some cases, SIP credentials are not provided to customers, making it difficult or impossible to use third-party devices.

This can limit your options if you want to use your own hardware or configure a more advanced setup.

Independent VoIP providers often offer much greater flexibility. Depending on the provider, you may be able to use:

• Existing analogue telephones with an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter)
• Dedicated IP phones
• Cordless DECT VoIP systems
• Softphones on computers and laptops
• Mobile apps for making and receiving calls

This gives customers more control over how and where they use their phone service. Some people simply want to keep their existing handset, while others may want calls to ring on multiple devices or be accessible when away from home.

Greater Control Over Your Number

Many customers have had the same landline number for years, or even decades. Family members, friends, healthcare providers, banks and utility companies may all have that number on record.

By hosting your number with a dedicated telephony provider, you gain more direct control over it. If you later decide to change broadband providers, upgrade your internet connection, or move house, your phone number can often remain completely unaffected.

This separation can reduce the complexity of future migrations and make it easier to move between providers without worrying about losing an important number.

More Advanced Features

Another reason some customers choose independent VoIP providers is access to additional features that may not be included with every ISP phone service.

Common examples include:

• Voicemail to email
• Simultaneous ring on multiple devices
• Call forwarding
• Additional phone numbers
• Mobile and desktop apps
• Time-based call routing
• Call recording options
• Advanced call handling rules

For some households these features may not be important, but for others they can significantly improve how the phone service works day to day.

Potential Cost Savings

Cost is often another factor, particularly for customers who make relatively few calls.

Many households now use their mobile phone as their primary way of communicating and only keep a home phone for occasional use, emergencies, deliveries, appointments, or calls from family members.

In these situations, a smaller VoIP package may be sufficient. Rather than paying for large inclusive allowances, customers can choose a plan that more closely reflects their actual usage and upgrade if their needs change in the future.

As with any service, the best value depends on how you use it. However, for customers looking for flexibility, hardware choice, and the ability to separate their phone number from their broadband provider, independent VoIP services are often worth considering alongside EE Digital Home Phone.

What Are the Advantages of Staying With EE?

While independent VoIP providers offer additional flexibility, there are also several good reasons why some customers choose to remain with EE Digital Home Phone.

One of the biggest advantages is simplicity. Your broadband and phone service are managed by the same provider, which means there is only one company to deal with, one monthly bill, and a single point of contact if you need support.

For many customers, this convenience is highly appealing. There is no need to research alternative providers, arrange number ports, or configure additional equipment. EE handles the migration to Digital Home Phone as part of the wider move away from the traditional copper telephone network, making the process relatively straightforward for existing customers.

Another benefit is familiarity. Customers who have been with EE for many years may already be comfortable using EE’s customer support channels, online account management tools, and billing systems. Remaining with a provider you already know and trust can provide peace of mind, particularly for those who are less confident with technology.

EE’s Digital Home Phone service is also designed to integrate closely with EE broadband products, which can reduce setup complexity compared to some third-party solutions.

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong choice. For customers who value flexibility, hardware choice, and separation from their broadband provider, an independent VoIP service may be attractive. However, for those who simply want a phone service that works with minimal effort and is managed alongside their broadband, staying with EE can be a perfectly sensible option.

For many households, that convenience alone may be worth paying for.

Can You Keep Your Existing Number If You Leave EE Digital Home Phone?

Yes—in most cases, you can keep your existing phone number if you decide to move from EE Digital Home Phone to another VoIP provider.

This process is known as number porting, and it allows your telephone number to be transferred from one provider to another. Number portability is protected by Ofcom regulations, which are designed to make it easier for customers to switch providers without losing a number they may have used for many years.

One common misconception is that a phone number becomes permanently tied to a particular provider once it has been moved to a digital phone service. In reality, most UK geographic landline numbers can be ported between providers, provided they are still active and eligible for transfer.

Another misconception is that if a provider says a number “cannot be ported”, the customer has no options. In practice, many numbers can be transferred successfully, although some ports may require additional checks or a different transfer process depending on the number’s history.

Every year, thousands of UK consumers and businesses move their phone numbers between providers. Many customers who switch from broadband-provider phone services to independent VoIP providers are able to retain the same number throughout the process.

If keeping your existing number is important, it is always worth checking portability with the new provider before making any changes to your current service.

Which Option Is Best for Different Types of Users?

By this point, it’s clear that both EE Digital Home Phone and independent VoIP providers use the same underlying technology. The question is not which technology is better, but which approach best suits your needs.

Staying With EE May Be Best If…

EE Digital Home Phone is often a good choice for customers who value simplicity above all else.

You may prefer to stay with EE if:

• You want your broadband and phone service on a single bill.
• You prefer dealing with one provider for both services.
• You don’t want to spend time comparing VoIP providers or features.
• You are happy using the equipment and setup provided by EE.
• You want the migration from traditional landlines to be as straightforward as possible.

For many households, convenience is the most important factor. If your phone service is simply something you expect to work without requiring any additional configuration or management, EE’s bundled approach may be the most suitable option.

An Independent VoIP Provider May Be Best If…

Independent VoIP services are often attractive to customers who want greater flexibility and control.

You may wish to consider an independent VoIP provider if:

• You want to minimise your monthly phone costs.
• You make relatively few calls and only want to pay for the minutes you need.
• You may switch broadband providers in the future.
• You want your phone number to remain separate from your broadband service.
• You would like to use your own hardware, such as IP phones, ATA adapters, or softphone apps.
• You want access to advanced features such as voicemail-to-email, call forwarding, simultaneous ring, additional numbers, or mobile apps.

For these users, an independent VoIP provider can offer greater freedom over how the service is configured and used, while making it easier to move broadband providers without affecting the phone service.

Ultimately, the right choice depends on your priorities. If convenience and simplicity matter most, EE may be the better fit. If flexibility, control, and customisation are more important, an independent VoIP provider is well worth considering.

To Summarise

EE Digital Home Phone and independent VoIP providers are ultimately built on the same core technology: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Both allow you to make and receive calls over your broadband connection rather than the UK’s retiring copper telephone network.

The real differences lie in pricing, flexibility, equipment choice, and how closely your phone service is tied to your broadband provider. For some customers, the convenience of having broadband and phone services managed by a single provider will make EE Digital Home Phone the obvious choice.

For others, an independent VoIP provider may offer greater value. Lower-cost packages, the ability to use your own hardware, advanced calling features, and the freedom to keep your phone service separate from your broadband can all be attractive benefits.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best option depends on how you use your home phone and what matters most to you. However, it’s important to remember that when moving to a digital phone service, you are not limited to your broadband provider’s offering. Independent VoIP providers such as Plexatalk are also available and may be worth considering before making your decision.

EE Digital Home Phone vs VoIP – FAQs