Many customers want to keep their home phone number while moving to VoIP, but they worry about losing their broadband connection. In this guide we’ll explain how porting your landline without losing broadband can be done.
This is a very common concern — especially now that many broadband companies are stopping traditional landline services.
The good news is that in most cases, your number can be moved safely. The important thing is choosing the right order and timing.
This guide explains the most common situations in simple terms.
Scenario 1: You Already Have Alternative Broadband Installed
This is the easiest and safest option.
Examples include:
- Full Fibre broadband from another provider
- Starlink
- 4G or 5G home broadband
- Any internet connection that does not rely on your old phone line
If your new broadband is already working and your old landline is no longer needed for internet, we can usually port your number straight away.
Your broadband will stay working because it no longer depends on the old telephone line.
This is the smoothest setup for moving to VoIP.
Scenario 2: Your Broadband Provider Is Stopping Landlines
Some providers, such as Plusnet, are moving customers away from traditional landlines.
What happens next depends on your plans.
Option A — You Are Switching Broadband Provider
If you are moving to a new broadband provider, we can normally arrange the number port on the same date as your broadband switch.
This can work very well, but there is one important risk to understand.
The Risk
If your new fibre installation gets delayed for any reason:
- Your phone number may still port successfully
- But your new broadband might not go live on time
This could leave you temporarily without:
- Home phone service
- Broadband internet
Until either:
- The fibre installation is completed
- Or your old broadband is reinstated as SoGEA broadband
This situation is uncommon, but it can happen.
Option B — You Want To Stay With Your Current Broadband Provider
If you plan to stay with your existing provider, the safest option is usually:
Step 1:
Ask your provider to move your broadband onto SoGEA
(SoGEA is broadband without a phone line.)
Step 2:
Once the SoGEA service is active, we port your number to VoIP.
This is the safest method because your broadband is separated from the phone line before the number moves.
The Downside
You may be without your landline service for around 1–2 weeks while the port completes.
The timing depends on whether your number has been ported before.
Your broadband should stay working throughout.
The Faster But Slightly Riskier Option
Some customers prefer a quicker and more seamless switch.
In this case:
- You ask your provider to move your broadband to SoGEA
- We schedule the number port for the following day
This often works well and reduces downtime for the phone service.
However, there is slightly more risk if the broadband order is delayed or changed unexpectedly.
Important Things To Know About Number Ports
Phone number ports are not always instant.
They can sometimes take:
- Around 1 week
- Occasionally up to 2 weeks
This is normal within the telecoms industry.
The good news is that we can often prepare and schedule everything in advance so the switch happens on planned dates.
Get Started With Porting Your Landline to VoIP Today
Every provider handles things slightly differently, and some situations can be more complex than others.
If you are unsure which option is best, we are happy to help guide you through it.
You can get started here:
We’ll help you move your number as safely and smoothly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions – Porting Your Landline Without Losing Broadband
Will I lose my broadband if I port my landline number?
Potentially — but as long as everything is handled correctly, usually no.
If your broadband still relies on your phone line, porting the number can automatically cancel the broadband service. This is why planning the timing correctly is very important.
If you already have alternative broadband such as Full Fibre, Starlink or 4G/5G broadband, your internet service should not be affected when the number is ported.
If needed, we can help guide you through the safest option before placing the port request.
What is SoGEA broadband?
SoGEA stands for Single Order Generic Ethernet Access.
In simple terms, it means broadband without a traditional phone line.
Many providers are moving customers to SoGEA as the UK moves away from old copper phone services.
Is switching to SoGEA or FTTP the safest option?
Usually, yes.
Moving your broadband to SoGEA or FTTP before porting your number is normally the safest way to avoid losing internet access. This being said, it does mean the phone line will be down until the number can be ported.
Once the broadband is separated from the phone line, your number can then be ported to VoIP without interuption to your existing broadband.
How long does a phone number port take?
Most home number ports take around 1–2 weeks.
The exact timing can depend on:
Your current provider
Whether the number has been ported before
The type of phone line involved
We can often schedule ports in advance to help everything run smoothly.
Can I port my number on the same day my broadband switches?
Yes, this is possible in many cases.
However, if your new broadband installation is delayed, your phone number may still port successfully while your internet is left disconnected temporarily.
For this reason, some customers prefer to separate the broadband switch and the number port.
What happens to my old landline after porting?
Once your number has successfully ported to VoIP, the old landline service is normally cancelled automatically.
Your phone number will then work through your VoIP service instead.
Can I keep my existing home phone number?
Yes.
We can port most UK landline numbers to Plexatalk VoIP services.
If you are unsure, contact us and we can check your number for you.
What if my fibre installation is delayed?
This is one of the biggest reasons we recommend careful planning.
If a number port completes before the new broadband is active, you could temporarily lose both phone and internet service.
This can usually be avoided by:
Installing alternative broadband first
Moving to SoGEA before porting
Scheduling the port carefully
Can older phones still work with VoIP?
Yes.
Many customers continue using their existing home telephones with a VoIP adapter or compatible router.
We can help advise on the best setup for your home.