VoIP vs Landline

Key Takeaways – VoIP vs Landline

• UK landlines end January 2027 – the PSTN and ISDN copper networks will be permanently switched off. Everyone must move to digital/VoIP services.
• VoIP is cheaper – no line rental, lower call costs, and flexible subscription pricing.
• VoIP is more flexible – use your number anywhere (office, home, mobile app), not tied to one premises.
• Feature-rich – IVR menus, call routing, voicemail-to-email, CRM integrations, and analytics.
• Future-proof – VoIP is the direct replacement for landlines, already the standard for UK businesses.
• Keep your number – Plexatalk can port your landline to VoIP so you don’t lose continuity with customers.

By January 2027, the UK’s traditional landline network will be permanently switched off. Every business, every household, every call — all of it will move to digital phone services. If you still rely on copper-wire landlines, the clock is ticking.

So what replaces it? The answer is VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) — phone calls delivered over the internet instead of through aging physical lines. A landline, by contrast, is the legacy system most of us grew up with: analogue calls transmitted across copper wiring maintained by telecoms providers.

This isn’t just a technical shift. It’s a once-in-a-generation change in how communication works in the UK. The move will affect costs, reliability, features, and even how businesses future-proof their operations.

In this guide, we’ll put VoIP vs landline under the microscope. We’ll break down their histories, strengths, and weaknesses. We’ll compare costs, flexibility, features, and the practical realities of the 2027 landline switch-off — so you can decide what makes sense for your organisation today, not when it’s already too late.

The Basics: What is a Landline?

Before broadband and mobile networks, there was POTS — the Plain Old Telephone Service. For decades, landlines were the backbone of personal and business communication in the UK.

How landlines work

Traditional landlines carry voice signals as analogue electrical pulses. Those signals travel through copper wires, pass through local telephone exchanges, and eventually connect to the person on the other end of the line. The system was simple, standardised, and for most of the 20th century, it was the only way to make a call.

Why people trusted them

• Reliability – Landlines worked even during power cuts, as the network provided its own current.
• Ease of use – You plugged in a handset, picked up the receiver, and you had a dial tone.
• Universality – Every household, office, and payphone used the same system.

The limitations of landlines

While revolutionary in their time, landlines come with serious drawbacks in today’s world:

• Fixed to a location – A number is tied to a physical line. No portability.
• Inflexible for growth – Adding new lines requires new hardware and installation.
• Costly to maintain – Copper infrastructure is expensive to service, especially as it ages.
• Outdated – The analogue network can’t deliver modern features like video calls, call analytics, or integrations with business tools.

In short, landlines did their job brilliantly for decades. But in a digital-first economy, they’ve become more of a constraint than an asset.

The Basics: What is VoIP?

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is the technology that delivers phone calls over the internet instead of copper wiring. If you’ve ever made a WhatsApp call, joined a Zoom meeting, or spoken on Teams, you’ve already used VoIP.

How VoIP works

Instead of sending analogue signals through physical lines, VoIP converts your voice into digital data packets. These packets travel over your broadband connection, then reassemble into sound at the other end. The result? A phone call that’s clearer, cheaper, and far more flexible than traditional telephony.

Common VoIP setups

VoIP isn’t limited to one type of device. It works across multiple platforms:

• Desk phones – Specially designed IP phones that look and feel like traditional handsets but connect via ethernet or Wi-Fi.
• Softphones – Software installed on a laptop or desktop that turns your computer into a phone.
• Mobile apps – VoIP apps that let you use your business number on a smartphone, wherever you are.

Who uses VoIP?

The short answer: almost everyone. From remote workers at home to startups scaling quickly, right up to global enterprises managing thousands of extensions across continents — VoIP is the modern standard. It powers business communication in every sector, and with the 2027 switch-off approaching, adoption is accelerating fast.

A Short History of Landlines & VoIP

Landlines: From breakthrough to phase-out

• 19th century – The first commercial telephone networks launched, using copper wires to transmit analogue voice signals.
• 20th century mass adoption – Landlines became a household essential, connecting homes, businesses, and public payphones worldwide.
• ISDN era (1980s–1990s) – Integrated Services Digital Network brought faster, digital connections, but still relied on the same copper infrastructure.
• 2000s decline – Mobile phones, broadband, and emerging VoIP solutions began to eat away at the relevance of fixed lines.

VoIP: From niche to mainstream

• 1990s invention – Early VoIP applications showed that voice could travel over the internet, though quality was patchy and adoption limited.
• 2000s early adoption – Skype, Vonage, and other pioneers made VoIP accessible to consumers and small businesses.
• 2010s mainstream – As broadband speeds improved, VoIP became reliable and cost-effective, driving mass adoption in enterprises.
• Cloud era today – Modern VoIP integrates with CRMs, collaboration platforms, and AI-driven call analytics — far beyond what landlines could ever deliver.

The turning point

The single biggest shift was broadband availability. Once fast, stable internet became widespread, VoIP outpaced landlines in quality, cost, and features. That’s why today, as the 2027 switch-off looms, VoIP isn’t just an option — it’s the replacement.

The 2027 Landline Switch-Off (UK Focus)

The UK’s copper-based phone network is on borrowed time. BT and Openreach have confirmed that the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and ISDN services will be permanently retired in January 2027. After that date, no calls will run through traditional landlines.

What happens when landlines go dark?

The switch-off means:

• No more analogue phone calls – Handsets plugged into wall sockets will stop working.
• ISDN lines will cease – Businesses still running ISDN for voice or fax will lose service.
• Dependent services affected – Alarm lines, door entry systems, payment terminals, and even lift phones that rely on PSTN will need upgrades.

Who is affected?

• Businesses – From sole traders to multi-site enterprises, any company still using landlines or ISDN must migrate to IP-based systems.
• Households – Millions of home users with “old school” phones will need either a VoIP adapter, a digital phone line, or a VoIP service.
• Emergency services and critical systems – Hospitals, care homes, and security providers are especially impacted, since many of their lifeline systems still depend on copper.

Why VoIP is the only real replacement

There is no “like-for-like” landline after 2027. The copper network is being shut down, not upgraded. The replacement is VoIP over broadband, delivered as Digital Voice for consumers and cloud-hosted VoIP or SIP services for businesses.

VoIP isn’t just a technical alternative — it’s a step forward. It offers:

• Lower call costs
• Location flexibility
• Richer features (call recording, analytics, integrations)
• Future-proofing against another network sunset

In short: when the PSTN and ISDN switch off, the only viable way forward is VoIP. Businesses that delay migration risk losing phone service altogether when the deadline hits.

VoIP vs Landline: Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Factor	VoIP (Internet)	Landline (PSTN/ISDN)
Network	Broadband/IP	Copper analogue/digital (UK network retiring Jan 2027)
Monthly costs	No analogue line rental; per-user/bundle; low international rates	Line rental per line + per-minute charges; higher international rates
Scalability	Add users instantly in your admin portal	Engineer visit; limited channels
Features	IVR, call routing, voicemail-to-email, apps, analytics	Basic caller ID/voicemail
Mobility	Work anywhere (desktop, mobile app, IP phone)	Tied to premises/number
Reliability	Depends on broadband; add UPS + 4G/5G failover for resilience	Historically solid; ageing copper infrastructure
Future status (UK)	Standard going forward	Switch-off by 31 Jan 2027

Sources: Openreach — Digital Phone Line Upgrade, BT — Digital Voice, Ofcom — PSTN switch-off.

The real difference between VoIP and landlines comes down to how they perform in practice. Here’s how they stack up side by side:

Cost

• Landline – Requires ongoing line rental for each number, plus per-minute call charges. ISDN setups are even pricier, with installation and maintenance fees.
• VoIP – Runs on your existing broadband. Costs are usually subscription-based, often unlimited calls, with far lower overheads and no physical line rental.

Scalability

• Landline – Adding new lines means new hardware and sometimes waiting weeks for engineer visits.
• VoIP – Adding users is instant. Simply create a new account in your provider’s portal and connect via a phone, laptop, or app.

Flexibility

• Landline – Your number is tied to a single premises. If you move office, you may lose it or face delays in re-provisioning.
• VoIP – Use the same number anywhere with an internet connection — in the office, at home, or abroad.

Features

• Landline – Limited to caller ID, voicemail, and call forwarding in some cases.
• VoIP – Packed with features: voicemail-to-email, advanced call routing, video conferencing, integrations with CRMs, mobile apps, and more.

Reliability

• Landline – Historically rock solid, but dependent on copper wiring that’s now aging and being phased out.
• VoIP – Dependent on broadband. With a stable connection, call quality is superior. Businesses can add resilience with a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) or mobile data backup.

Professionalism

• Landline – Traditionally offered a “business presence,” but limited to one physical location. Many companies now default to mobiles, which can look less professional.
• VoIP – Lets you publish and use local or national business numbers across multiple devices, so your business always presents a professional front.

Advantages of VoIP Over Landlines

Switching from landlines to VoIP isn’t just about keeping up with the 2027 deadline — it’s about unlocking a communication system that works better for how we live and do business today.

1. Cheaper in the long run

With no line rental, lower call costs, and predictable subscription pricing, VoIP almost always works out more affordable than legacy phone services.

2. Location flexibility

Your number isn’t tied to a wall socket anymore. Whether you’re working from home, in the office, or halfway across the world, VoIP lets you take your business number with you.

3. Packed with features

Beyond the basics of caller ID and voicemail, VoIP gives you:

• IVR menus (press 1 for Sales, press 2 for Support)
• Advanced call routing
• Voicemail transcription sent straight to your inbox
• CRM and app integrations for modern workflows

4. Easy to scale

Adding a new employee? It takes minutes with VoIP. No engineer callouts, no waiting on hardware installations. Just create a new user and they’re live.

5. Built for remote and hybrid work

VoIP was designed for the way we work now. Teams spread across multiple locations can communicate seamlessly, sharing the same system without physical limits.

6. Future-proof beyond 2027

With the PSTN and ISDN switch-off, VoIP isn’t just an upgrade — it’s the replacement. Once you migrate, you’re set for the future, with a platform that will keep evolving.

With Plexatalk, you can keep your existing landline number and upgrade to VoIP without disruption. Migration is simple, and you’ll gain a modern phone system that’s flexible, cost-effective, and ready for what comes next.

Are There Downsides to VoIP?

No technology is flawless, and VoIP is no exception. While it’s the clear successor to landlines, it does come with considerations you need to be aware of:

1. Internet dependency

VoIP needs a stable broadband connection. If your internet drops, so does your phone service.
Solution: Invest in a reliable internet provider and consider a 4G/5G mobile backup connection for resilience.

2. Power dependency

Traditional landlines worked even during power cuts because the copper network carried its own current. VoIP equipment, however, depends on your local electricity supply.
Solution: Use a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to keep routers and phones running during short outages.

3. Emergency call location

VoIP calls don’t automatically transmit your physical location to emergency services the way landlines do.
Solution: Ensure your provider registers your address details correctly, and train staff to provide location information during emergency calls.

4. Call quality risks

If VoIP is poorly configured or runs on a weak connection, calls can suffer from jitter, lag, or drops.
Solution: Prioritise voice traffic on your network (using QoS settings) and choose a provider that offers business-grade reliability.

Who Should Choose VoIP Now?

With the 2027 deadline approaching, VoIP isn’t just for big corporations. It’s the right choice for almost every type of user:

Small businesses

Lower monthly costs, no line rental, and professional features like call menus and voicemail-to-email. VoIP lets small firms punch above their weight.

Tradespeople

Electricians, plumbers, builders, and similar trades can keep a local landline number that customers recognise and trust — while still answering calls on a mobile app when out on jobs.

Remote teams & freelancers

One number, multiple devices. VoIP makes it simple to answer calls on a laptop at home, a mobile on the go, or a desk phone in the office, all under one business identity.

Enterprises

Large organisations benefit from VoIP’s ability to integrate with CRMs, Teams, Zoom, and other business tools, making communications seamless across departments and locations.

Home users

When the switch-off comes, home users can keep their existing number and move it onto a VoIP service — avoiding disruption while gaining modern features.

How to Switch from Landline to VoIP (Step-by-Step)

Moving from a traditional landline to VoIP is simpler than most people expect. Here’s how the process works:

1. Check your broadband

VoIP runs on your internet connection, so make sure your speeds and reliability are up to standard. A stable broadband line is essential.

2. Choose a VoIP provider

Look for a provider that offers the right balance of cost, features, and support. For businesses, things like call routing, voicemail-to-email, and integration with existing tools can be vital.

3. Port your landline number

You don’t have to lose the number customers already know. Your provider can port your existing landline to VoIP so callers reach you just as before.

4. Set up phones and apps

Decide how you’ll use VoIP: dedicated desk phones, computer softphones, or mobile apps (or a mix of all three).

5. Configure call flows & features

Set up your call routing, voicemail, IVR menus, and any other features your business needs to run smoothly.

6. Test, train, and go live

Run test calls, train your team on the new system, and then make the full switch. With VoIP, you can transition gradually or go all-in overnight.

Plexatalk can handle this entire process for you — from checking broadband suitability to porting your number, configuring features, and providing ongoing support.

📞 Call us today on 0330 057 6699 or 📧 email support@plexatalk.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions – VoIP vs Landline

VoIP vs Landline in 2025

With Plexatalk, you can keep your landline number and move to VoIP without hassle.

UK landlines shut off January 2027 → everyone must switch.

VoIP is cheaper (no line rental, flat subscription pricing).

More flexible → works anywhere, not tied to one office.

Feature-rich → call routing, voicemail-to-email, mobile apps.

Future-proof → integrates with CRMs, Teams, Zoom, etc.

The writing is on the wall: traditional landlines are ending in January 2027. Businesses and households that still rely on PSTN or ISDN will need to act — not eventually, but now.

VoIP is the clear replacement. It’s cheaper than landlines, more flexible for modern ways of working, and future-proof well beyond the switch-off. From small businesses and trades to large enterprises and home users, VoIP is the phone system that fits today’s needs.

Don’t wait until the 2027 switch-off. Talk to Plexatalk today to keep your number and upgrade to VoIP hassle-free.
📞 Call us on 0330 057 6699 or 📧 email support@plexatalk.co.uk