Keep Your Landline When Switching to EE 5G Broadband

EE 5G Broadband gives you fast home internet without needing a traditional phone line or engineer-installed fibre connection. Instead of using the old copper network, EE’s 5G router connects wirelessly to the mobile network, making it a popular option for homes looking for quicker setup and more flexible broadband.

But one question many people ask before switching is:

“Can you keep your landline when switching to EE 5G Broadband?”

In most cases, yes — you usually can.

While EE 5G Broadband itself doesn’t include a traditional analogue landline, you can keep your existing home phone number by using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). VoIP lets you make and receive calls over your broadband connection instead of the old telephone network.

EE does offer digital voice services in some broadband setups, particularly with Full Fibre packages, but many customers prefer using an independent VoIP provider instead. A standalone service such as Plexatalk can often be cheaper, more flexible, and easier to keep separate from your broadband provider long term.

That means if you later change broadband providers again, your landline number can usually stay exactly where it is.

You can also normally continue using your existing home phones with a simple adapter, avoiding the need to replace all your handsets.

If you’re looking for broader guidance on EE phone services and number porting, read our main guide: “Keep Your Landline When Switching to EE”.

In this guide, we’ll explain how landlines work with EE 5G Broadband, how VoIP replaces traditional phone lines, and how to keep your existing number without paying unnecessary line rental fees.

Does EE 5G Broadband Include a Landline?

No — EE 5G Broadband does not include a traditional landline service.

Unlike older broadband connections that used a copper telephone line entering your property, EE 5G Broadband connects to the internet wirelessly using the EE mobile network. Your broadband is delivered through a 5G router rather than a phone socket, so there is no standard analogue phone line or PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) service included.

This is where some of the confusion comes from.

EE does offer a home phone service called Digital Home Phone, but this is primarily designed for EE’s fixed broadband and Full Fibre customers. Digital Home Phone uses VoIP technology to carry calls over a broadband connection and is typically connected through an EE Smart Hub router rather than a traditional wall socket.

EE 5G Broadband works differently.

With EE 5G Broadband, you’re effectively buying a wireless internet connection powered by the mobile network. The service focuses on providing fast internet access without requiring a landline, engineer visit, or fixed-line installation.

That doesn’t mean you have to give up your home phone number.

Many households moving to EE 5G Broadband choose to keep their existing landline by transferring it to a standalone VoIP provider. This allows them to continue using the same number while keeping their phone service separate from their broadband provider. In many cases, it can also be a more flexible and cost-effective solution than tying your phone service directly to a broadband package.

For customers who want the best of both worlds, EE 5G Broadband combined with an independent VoIP service can provide fast wireless internet alongside a fully functional home phone number.

Source note: This section is based on EE’s published information on Mobile Broadband, Fibre Broadband without a landline, and Digital Home Phone services, which confirms that EE’s 5G Home Broadband is a mobile broadband product rather than a traditional landline service.

Can You Keep Your Existing Landline Number?

Yes — in most cases, you can keep your existing landline number when switching to EE 5G Broadband.

This process is called number porting. It allows your current phone number to be transferred from your old provider onto a digital phone service, usually a VoIP provider or digital voice platform.

Landline numbers from major UK providers including BT, Sky, Virgin Media, TalkTalk, Vodafone and Plusnet can normally be ported without problems, provided the transfer is handled correctly.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is cancelling their old phone line too early.

If your current broadband or phone service is fully cancelled before the number transfer completes, your landline number could potentially be lost and become unavailable to recover. That’s why it’s important to keep the service active until the port has successfully finished.

Some customers moving to EE may choose to use EE’s own Digital Home Phone or Digital Voice services where available. Availability can depend on the specific EE broadband package and hardware setup, so it’s worth checking directly with EE what phone options are supported with your service.

Others prefer using an independent VoIP provider such as Plexatalk, particularly if they want to compare pricing, keep their number separate from their broadband provider, or continue using the same phone setup even if they switch internet providers again later.

In many cases, standalone VoIP services can also provide additional flexibility such as mobile apps, call forwarding, and wider hardware compatibility.

Typical Landline Transfer Process

• Order your EE 5G Broadband service
• Choose your VoIP or digital phone provider
• Submit a number port request using your existing landline number
• Keep your current phone service active during the transfer
• Your number transfers to the new service
• The old phone line usually closes automatically once the port completes

As long as the process is handled in the correct order, keeping your existing landline number is normally straightforward.

How VoIP Works with EE 5G Broadband

VoIP — short for Voice over Internet Protocol — allows you to make and receive phone calls using your internet connection instead of a traditional copper telephone line.

Rather than relying on the old PSTN network, your calls are converted into digital data and carried over your broadband connection. With EE 5G Broadband, that means your phone service runs through your 5G router using the mobile network connection already powering your internet.

In practice, using VoIP often feels exactly like using a normal home phone — just with far more flexibility behind the scenes.

VoIP works well with EE 5G Broadband because the service is entirely internet-based. As long as your 5G connection is stable, your phone number can work almost anywhere.

There are several ways to use VoIP with an EE 5G setup:

• connect existing cordless phones using an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter)
• use dedicated VoIP desk phones that plug directly into your router
• install VoIP apps on mobiles, tablets or laptops
• combine multiple devices on the same phone number

For many households, the easiest option is simply connecting their current DECT cordless phones through a small adapter, allowing them to continue using familiar handsets around the home.

Independent VoIP services such as Plexatalk have also been widely tested with modern EE-compatible routers and 5G broadband hardware. Because VoIP is provider-independent, the phone service itself isn’t tied directly to EE.

That creates a more future-proof setup.

If you later change broadband providers, move house, switch to full fibre, or even use a backup internet connection, your phone number can usually remain exactly the same. Your VoIP service simply reconnects through the new internet connection.

This is one reason many people now prefer standalone VoIP over traditional bundled landline services. Instead of your number being attached to a specific broadband contract, it becomes portable, flexible, and usable across multiple devices and locations.

For households that still value their landline number, VoIP provides a modern alternative that works naturally alongside EE 5G Broadband.

Why Some People Choose Independent VoIP Instead of EE Phone Services

For many households, EE’s own digital phone services will work perfectly well alongside their broadband package. If you prefer having broadband and phone services bundled together under one provider, EE’s setup can be a convenient option.

But it’s not the only way to keep a home phone number.

An increasing number of people now choose independent VoIP providers instead — not because EE’s service is “bad”, but because standalone VoIP can offer more flexibility and, in many cases, lower ongoing monthly costs.

The biggest difference is that independent VoIP separates your phone number from your broadband provider.

With traditional bundled services, your home phone is often closely tied to your broadband account and router setup. Independent VoIP works differently. Your number exists independently over the internet, meaning you can usually change broadband providers later without needing to move your phone number again.

For households using EE 5G Broadband, that flexibility can be particularly useful.

If you later switch to full fibre, move house, use a backup broadband connection, or change providers entirely, your VoIP service can normally continue working with minimal disruption. In most cases, you simply reconnect your adapter, app, or VoIP handset to the new internet connection.

Many standalone VoIP providers also support a wider range of hardware and features, including:

• using existing cordless phones with an ATA adapter
• VoIP mobile and desktop apps
• call forwarding to mobiles
• voicemail-to-email
• multiple devices using the same number
• dedicated VoIP desk phones

For some people, this creates a much more portable and future-proof phone setup than the traditional “landline attached to broadband” model.

Cost can also play a role.

EE phone services are generally sold as part of a broadband bundle, while independent VoIP providers often offer simpler standalone monthly pricing. Depending on the features and call usage you need, this can sometimes work out cheaper over time.

Here’s a general comparison between the two approaches:

Feature	EE Phone Option	Independent VoIP
Keep existing number	Yes	Yes
Works independently of EE broadband	No	Yes
Use mobile or desktop apps	Limited	Yes
Easier to switch broadband later	More limited	Usually easier
Use existing handsets	Sometimes	Usually
Router flexibility	Mainly EE hardware	Wider compatibility
Call forwarding features	Limited	Usually included
Typical monthly costs	Higher bundled pricing	Often lower

For many users, the choice simply comes down to flexibility.

If you want everything under one provider, EE’s own phone options may suit you perfectly. But if you’d rather keep your landline independent, portable, and usable across different devices and broadband providers, standalone VoIP services such as Plexatalk can offer a more adaptable long-term solution without requiring major changes to how you use your home phone day to day.

Cost Savings – pricing compared

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

Pricing correct at time of writing.

Can You Use Your Existing Home Phones?

In many cases, yes — you can usually continue using the home phones you already have with VoIP and EE 5G Broadband.

One of the biggest concerns people have when moving away from a traditional landline is whether they’ll need to replace all their existing handsets. Thankfully, most households can keep using their current setup with very little change.

Modern DECT cordless phone systems typically work well with VoIP services when connected through an ATA (Analogue Telephone Adapter). The adapter plugs into your EE 5G router and allows standard home phones to work over your internet connection instead of the old copper phone line.

That means your phones can continue working much as they always have:

• multiple cordless handsets around the home
• familiar answering and calling experience
• existing contact lists and phone setup
• standard incoming and outgoing calls

Many corded phones can also work depending on the model and adapter being used.

For customers who want the simplest possible setup, Plexatalk offers a pre-configured plug-and-play Grandstream ATA adapter with two phone ports for £50. This allows many existing home phone systems to connect directly to VoIP without complicated configuration.

In most cases, setup simply involves connecting the adapter to your router and plugging your existing phone base station into it.

For households moving to EE 5G Broadband, this makes the transition to digital phone services feel far less disruptive. You keep the same number, continue using familiar handsets, and gain the flexibility of modern internet-based calling without having to completely replace your home phone system.

Step-by-Step: How to Switch to EE 5G and Keep Your Number

If you want to move to EE 5G Broadband without losing your existing landline number, the process is usually straightforward as long as everything is done in the right order.

The most important thing is not cancelling your old phone service too early.

Here’s how the process typically works:

1. Order Your EE 5G Broadband

Start by ordering your EE 5G Broadband service. When arranging the installation or delivery date, it’s a good idea to leave enough time for your landline number transfer to complete.

For customers using Plexatalk, number porting can sometimes take between 1–2 weeks depending on the provider and whether the number has been ported previously.

2. Keep Your Existing Phone Line Active

Do not cancel your current broadband or phone service manually before the transfer completes.

Your existing landline number needs to remain live during the porting process. Cancelling too early can sometimes result in the number being lost permanently.

3. Choose Your VoIP Setup

Decide how you want to use your phone service after switching.

For example, you may want to:

• keep existing cordless phones using an ATA adapter
• use VoIP mobile apps
• install dedicated VoIP desk phones
• combine multiple devices on one number

4. Submit Your Number Port Request

Once you’ve signed up with your VoIP provider, submit your landline transfer request as early as possible.

With Plexatalk, customers are encouraged to provide their EE activation or switch date so the broadband installation and phone number transfer can be aligned as closely as possible.

It’s important to understand that port dates cannot usually be guaranteed immediately. The final transfer date normally needs to be confirmed by the losing provider and the original range holder for the number.

5. Connect Your Phones or Apps

When your VoIP service becomes active, connect your phones, adapter, or mobile apps to your EE 5G router and internet connection.

6. Test Incoming and Outgoing Calls

Once the port completes, test inbound and outbound calls to ensure everything is working correctly.

7. Your Old Phone Service Usually Closes Automatically

In most cases, once the number transfer completes successfully, the old phone service linked to that number will automatically close with your previous provider.

Handled correctly, the switch is usually smooth and allows you to keep your long-standing home phone number while moving to EE 5G Broadband.

Frequently Asked Questions – Keep Your Landline When Switching to EE 5G

Switching to EE 5G Broadband doesn’t mean giving up your existing landline number.

In most cases, you can keep your current number by moving it to a VoIP service, allowing you to continue using your home phone over your internet connection instead of the old copper network.

For many households, independent VoIP services such as Plexatalk offer a more flexible alternative to traditional bundled phone packages. Your number stays separate from your broadband provider, making it easier to switch internet services later without needing to move your landline again.

You can also usually continue using your existing cordless phones, while benefiting from modern features such as mobile apps, call forwarding and voicemail services.

For customers looking for a more future-proof setup with lower ongoing monthly costs and greater flexibility, standalone VoIP can be a practical long-term solution alongside EE 5G Broadband.

To learn more, browse our VoIP packages or read our main guide: Keep Your Landline When Switching to EE.

You can also browse and signup to our VoIP packages for home here.