How To Keep Your Landline When Switching From BT

Why People Are Leaving BT

For decades, BT has been the default choice for home phone and broadband. But times are changing, and more and more households are looking for alternatives. Why?

One of the biggest reasons is cost. BT bundles broadband, phone, and sometimes extras you may never use into one expensive package. If you’re mainly interested in keeping your landline number for family and friends, paying for add-ons you don’t need can feel like poor value.

Another common frustration is customer service. Long waiting times, confusing bills, and a lack of flexibility leave many customers feeling tied down.

And then there’s the BT Digital Voice migration. Since BT is moving everyone to VoIP anyway, many people are asking the obvious question: why stick with BT at all?

That’s where an independent provider like Plexatalk comes in. With us, you get a BT Digital Voice alternative that works with any internet connection, so you’re not tied to BT’s broadband just to keep a home phone. You keep your landline number, enjoy straightforward pricing, and get the flexibility to choose the broadband deal that suits you best.

The Big Question: Can I Keep My Landline Number?

When BT announced the landline switch-off, the first worry for many households was simple: Will I lose my phone number? After all, that number may be the one your friends, family, and even important services have known for years.

The good news is: yes, you can keep your landline number. Thanks to Ofcom regulations, most UK numbers can be transferred (“ported”) from one provider to another. That means you don’t need to start over with a new number just because BT is moving you to Digital Voice.

Here’s how number porting works in plain English: when you switch to a VoIP home phone service like Plexatalk, we request the transfer of your existing landline number. Behind the scenes, the number is moved from BT’s system to ours. You don’t need to do any complicated setup — we handle the process for you.

At Plexatalk, we’ve made this seamless. There’s no downtime, no confusing paperwork, and no risk of losing your number. You simply plug in your phone, connect to your broadband, and carry on as normal — but with more flexibility, lower costs, and freedom from BT.

The Truth About BT Digital Voice

By January 2027, BT will switch off the old copper phone network (known as the PSTN). This change affects every household in the UK. Instead of a traditional landline, all calls will be delivered using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) — in other words, your home phone will run over your internet connection.

BT calls their version of this service Digital Voice. On the surface, it might sound straightforward: your existing phone number moves onto a VoIP line, and you carry on making calls. But there’s a catch. BT Digital Voice only works if you also take BT broadband. That means if you want to shop around for cheaper or faster internet, you can’t use BT’s phone service.

This lock-in limits your choice at a time when flexibility matters most. Not all broadband providers support a phone service, and some focus on internet-only packages. With BT Digital Voice, you’re forced to keep everything under one roof — whether it’s right for you or not.

That’s why many people are choosing BT Digital Voice alternatives like Plexatalk, where you keep your landline number but stay free to pick any broadband provider in the UK.

Why VoIP Is the Future (and Better Than BT Digital Voice)

VoIP isn’t just a replacement for the landline — it’s a smarter, more flexible way to stay connected. Unlike BT Digital Voice, which locks you into BT broadband, independent VoIP home phone services like Plexatalk work over any broadband connection. That means you’re free to switch internet providers without worrying about losing your landline number.

Another advantage is simplicity. With a small adapter, you can keep using your existing home phone handsets, so there’s no need to buy new equipment. You’ll still be able to make and receive calls exactly as before — just over your internet instead of the old copper network.

But VoIP also unlocks features that traditional phone lines could never offer. With Plexatalk, you can get voicemail delivered straight to your email inbox, block unwanted nuisance calls, or even make and receive calls on your mobile app using your home number.

For families who want to stay connected, or home workers who rely on a professional line, VoIP is the perfect solution. It’s flexible, affordable, and future-proof — a true BT Digital Voice alternative that puts you in control.

How to Switch from BT to Plexatalk (Step by Step)

Making the move away from BT doesn’t have to be complicated. At Plexatalk, we’ve streamlined the process so you can keep your landline number, reduce costs, and enjoy more flexibility — all with minimal effort. Here’s how it works:

1. Choose your broadband provider
   Pick the internet service that best suits your household — whether that’s Sky, Virgin, Toob, Cuckoo, or another provider. With Plexatalk, you’re not tied to any one network.
2. Tell us your landline number
   Share the number you want to keep, and we’ll begin the number porting process on your behalf.
3. We handle the transfer
   Our team manages the switch from BT to Plexatalk seamlessly, so there’s no downtime or risk of losing your number.
4. Plug in and go
   Connect your existing phone handsets using our simple adapter — or skip the hardware and use the Plexatalk app to make and receive calls on your mobile.
5. Enjoy the benefits
   Lower monthly costs, greater freedom to shop around for broadband, and a reliable VoIP home phone service designed for UK households.

Common Questions – Keep Your Landline When Switching From BT

Real Story: A Customer Who Switched from BT to Plexatalk

Sometimes the best way to see the difference is through someone else’s experience. Take Mr. and Mrs. H, a retired couple in Kent. Like many, they had been with BT for decades and were worried when they received letters about the BT landline switch-off. They didn’t want to lose their number — the same one friends and family had used for over 30 years.

They also weren’t happy with rising bills. Their BT package bundled broadband, a landline, and extras they didn’t use. When they heard about Plexatalk, they decided to give it a try.

Here’s what happened:

• They chose a broadband package from their local community fibre provider.
• Plexatalk arranged the number port from BT quickly and without disruption.
• They plugged their existing cordless phone into our adapter and carried on as usual.
• Their monthly costs dropped by nearly 40%.

Mrs. H told us: “We thought it would be stressful, but it was so simple. We kept our number, saved money, and can now choose whichever broadband we like. We wish we’d done it sooner.”

Their story shows how easy it is to switch — and how much peace of mind Plexatalk can bring.

Ready to Switch From BT and Keep Your Landline Number?

The BT landline switch-off is coming — but that doesn’t mean you have to lose your number, pay more than you need to, or stay tied to BT. With Plexatalk, switching is simple, affordable, and stress-free.

All you need to do is sign up here or get in touch with our team. We’ll check your number, explain your options in plain English, and guide you through the switch.

And don’t worry — you don’t need to be “techy” to get set up. We handle the number port, provide any equipment you need, and make sure you’re up and running without hassle. In most cases, you’ll simply plug in your existing phone or download our app and carry on as normal.

So why wait? Join thousands of UK households already enjoying lower costs, more flexibility, and the peace of mind that comes with Plexatalk’s VoIP home phone service.

Keep your landline. Keep your freedom. Switch today.