If you’re a Utility Warehouse (UW) customer, you might be wondering what happens to your landline as the UK moves closer to the analogue switch-off in January 2027. For years, UW has bundled traditional copper-based phone services alongside broadband, making it simple to keep a landline for calls. But with the nationwide rollout of FTTP (Full Fibre), things are changing quickly, and that could affect how you stay connected.
Here’s the situation: if your UW broadband is still delivered over copper, you can continue to have a standard landline service for now. But once your property is upgraded to FTTP / Full Fibre, that option disappears. Full Fibre does not support traditional analogue landlines, and UW doesn’t currently provide a digital alternative. In other words, when the switch to FTTP happens, the old-style landline you’re used to will no longer work.
This isn’t just a UW issue, it’s part of a UK-wide shift. Openreach is phasing out the old copper phone network entirely, and by January 2027, every home and business will need to move to an all-digital solution. For UW customers, that means finding a way to keep a landline number, even after copper is gone… fear not if you want to keep your landline, there is a way to keep your landline when switching to UW FTTP
So how do you keep your landline when switching to UW FTTP?
The good news? VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a straightforward, affordable way to do just that. Instead of relying on copper wires, VoIP uses your broadband connection to deliver crystal-clear calls. With providers like Plexatalk offering VoIP from just £4/month, you can keep your landline number, future-proof your setup, and carry on making and receiving calls — even after UW migrates you to FTTP.
Why UW Landlines Don’t Work on FTTP (Full Fibre)
If you’ve heard the term FTTP (Full Fibre) being used by UW or Openreach, you might be wondering what it really means for your broadband — and more importantly, your landline. FTTP stands for Fibre to the Premises, where your home or business is connected directly with fibre-optic cables instead of the older copper network. This is the backbone of the UK’s Full Fibre rollout, designed to deliver much faster, more reliable internet.
The catch? Fibre and copper work very differently. Copper phone lines were designed to carry analogue voice signals, which is why they could support a “plug-in” landline for decades. Fibre cables, on the other hand, are built purely for digital data. They’re excellent at carrying high-speed broadband, but they can’t carry analogue voice in the same way. That’s why when you upgrade to Full Fibre, the socket that once delivered both broadband and a landline will only provide internet access.
Utility Warehouse (UW) currently follows this same model. If you’re still on a copper broadband connection, you can keep a standard UW landline. But once you move to FTTP / Full Fibre, UW does not offer a replacement phone service. The landline option simply disappears from your package.
This is where things can catch customers out. Many people upgrade to fibre for faster speeds without realising their old phone line will stop working. Unless you’ve already prepared an alternative, you could lose your home phone number overnight.
The solution is VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Instead of relying on copper, VoIP runs over your fibre broadband. It lets you keep your landline number, enjoy clearer call quality, and stay connected even as the copper network is phased out. For UW customers moving to FTTP, switching to a VoIP service like Plexatalk is the only way to ensure your landline continues to work.
What Is VoIP and Why It’s the Answer
So, if traditional UW landlines don’t work on FTTP (Full Fibre), what’s the alternative? The answer is VoIP — short for Voice over Internet Protocol. Put simply, VoIP is a technology that allows you to make and receive phone calls over your broadband connection instead of the old copper phone network.
At a practical level, VoIP feels very similar to having a landline. You can keep your existing number, plug in a standard phone via an adapter, and dial as you always have. The difference lies under the hood. Instead of carrying analogue voice signals, VoIP converts your call into digital data and transmits it securely over the internet.
Compared with traditional landlines, VoIP comes with clear advantages:
- Affordability: Plans from providers like Plexatalk start from just £4/month, often far cheaper than old-style phone bundles.
- Reliability: Because VoIP runs on modern digital infrastructure, it offers consistent call quality without the interference issues common on copper lines.
- Future-proofing: With the copper switch-off due by January 2027, VoIP isn’t just a nice upgrade — it’s the standard replacement.
Another big plus is flexibility. VoIP isn’t tied to a single type of broadband. Whether you’re on FTTP / Full Fibre, 5G home internet, or even satellite broadband such as Starlink, VoIP works seamlessly. This means you can keep your landline service no matter how your internet connection evolves.
For UW customers, this is especially important. While UW doesn’t currently offer a VoIP replacement for its landlines, you’re free to choose an independent provider. By moving your landline to VoIP now, you can protect your number, cut costs, and ensure you’re ready for the all-digital future — long before the 2027 deadline.
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Why Choose Plexatalk VoIP for Your Home
When it comes to keeping a landline while switching to FTTP (Full Fibre), Utility Warehouse (UW) doesn’t currently provide a solution. That’s where Plexatalk VoIP for Home comes in — offering all the features you’d expect from a modern landline, at a fraction of the cost.
First and foremost, you don’t need to give up your number. With free porting included, Plexatalk lets you bring your existing landline number across at no extra cost, so friends, family, and important services can always reach you.
Our VoIP plans start from just £4/month, making them one of the most affordable ways to keep your home phone active. But low price doesn’t mean bare bones — Plexatalk VoIP comes with a suite of features that traditional UW landlines simply don’t offer:
- Voicemail-to-email, so you never miss a message.
- Call blocking, helping cut down on nuisance calls.
- Call forwarding, keeping you connected even when you’re away from home.
Setup is simple too. You can use your existing broadband provider (no need to switch), and with a small adapter or a VoIP-ready phone, you’ll be up and running in minutes.
Worried about reliability during power cuts? Plexatalk has you covered. Calls can automatically forward to your mobile, you can use our smartphone app, or add a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to keep your VoIP equipment powered. That way, you’re not left disconnected when you need your phone most.
With UW’s Full Fibre service leaving you without a landline, Plexatalk VoIP is the clear choice to bridge the gap — giving you affordability, reliability, and future-proof technology all in one.
How to Switch from UW to Plexatalk in 3 Simple Steps
If you’re moving your broadband to Utility Warehouse (UW) Full Fibre (FTTP), you don’t need to give up your home phone. With Plexatalk, you can keep your existing number, enjoy all the benefits of VoIP, and still get the faster speeds of fibre. Here’s how simple it is:
1. Choose your VoIP plan
Start by picking the right package for your household. Plexatalk offers VoIP for Home plans from just £4/month, with all the features you’d expect — voicemail-to-email, call forwarding, nuisance call blocking, and more. Because our service works independently of your broadband, you can switch to UW for fibre while keeping your landline active with us.
2. Port your existing number
No need to tell friends and family a new number. We’ll send you a quick Letter of Authorisation (LOA) to sign, which allows us to port your current landline number from UW (or your previous provider) to Plexatalk. Porting is free and usually happens seamlessly, with little to no downtime.
3. Plug in and start calling
Once your number is live on Plexatalk, all that’s left is setup. Simply connect an adapter to your existing handset or use a VoIP-compatible phone. Within minutes, you’ll be making and receiving calls as normal — only now, your service runs on modern, reliable VoIP technology.
That’s it. No complicated installations, no need to change your broadband provider, and no risk of losing your home phone when UW switches you to FTTP. By combining UW broadband with Plexatalk VoIP, you get the best of both worlds: fast fibre internet and a future-proof landline solution.
FAQ: Keep Your Landline When Switching to UW (Utility Warehouse) FTTP
Can I keep my UW landline number?
Yes. With Plexatalk, you don’t need to give up your home phone number. We’ll handle the number porting process for you, free of charge. That means your existing UW landline number moves across to Plexatalk VoIP, so your friends, family, and important services can continue reaching you exactly as before.
Do I need UW broadband to use Plexatalk?
No. Plexatalk VoIP works with any broadband provider. While many customers switch to Utility Warehouse (UW) for their FTTP / Full Fibre internet, your phone service doesn’t need to stay with them. By separating the two, you can enjoy UW’s fibre broadband speeds and still keep your landline active through Plexatalk.
Is VoIP call quality as good as UW landlines?
In most cases, it’s actually better. Because VoIP is fully digital, it avoids the interference and line noise common on copper-based UW landlines. You’ll get clear, reliable audio whether you’re calling locally or internationally — and as broadband speeds improve with Full Fibre, VoIP call quality only gets stronger.
What happens if there’s a power cut?
Unlike traditional copper landlines, VoIP depends on your internet connection, so a power cut could interrupt service. But Plexatalk gives you options to stay connected. You can enable automatic call forwarding to a mobile, use a VoIP smartphone app, or connect your equipment to a small UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to keep things running. That way, you’re never left without a way to make or receive calls.
Don’t Wait for the Switch-Off
The UK’s analogue switch-off in January 2027 isn’t far away. By then, every copper landline will be retired, and only digital alternatives will remain. For Utility Warehouse (UW) customers already moving to FTTP / Full Fibre, the impact is immediate — as soon as you upgrade, the traditional landline option disappears.
Waiting until the last minute can mean disruption. You could lose your number unexpectedly, be left without a working home phone, and have to rush into a solution at short notice. Instead, it makes sense to take control now and move your landline to VoIP on your own terms.
VoIP is the modern, future-proof replacement for the copper network, and Plexatalk makes the switch simple. From free number porting to affordable plans starting at £4/month, our VoIP service gives you everything you need to stay connected. Features like voicemail-to-email, call forwarding, and mobile apps go beyond what UW landlines ever offered, while keeping the familiar experience of a home phone.
If you’re switching to UW Full Fibre, don’t let your landline disappear with the copper switch-off. By pairing UW broadband with Plexatalk VoIP, you get the best of both worlds, fast fibre internet and a reliable, affordable phone service that will carry you through 2027 and beyond. – Read more about the Switch-Off on Ofcoms Website.