However, the gradual move to all-IP (Internet Protocol) networks and Fibre-to-the-Premises<\/strong> (FTTP<\/a>) infrastructure is changing all this. In the practical sense, this means that broadband is now the default service, while phone services are the ones being treated as an optional add-on. Openreach<\/a> plans to have completely withdrawn PSTN by the end of 2025.<\/p>\n Most consumers who wish to retain a home phone service will probably continue to take one as part of a broadband bundle from their chosen ISP, albeit using the provider’s own digital \/ IP based voice product. But some consumers will no doubt see some benefit in completely separating their home phone number from their broadband (i.e. greater flexibility of calling, cost savings and less to think about when switching ISP).<\/p>\n At the time of writing, the UK continues to lack a smooth automated process for handling situations where, for example, consumers may want to move or split-out their existing landline phone number from their ISP – often delivered as part of a service bundle with broadband – to a separate VoIP platform, which makes life particularly tedious.<\/p>\n In addition, there’s still a risk of losing your phone number when switching between certain ISPs, which is yet another reason to consider moving it to a dedicated VoIP provider. The good news is that Ofcom<\/a> are working on a solution to this, which might be ready in time for their new broadband-focused One Touch Switch<\/strong><\/a> (OTS) migration service – this is due to go live from April 2023<\/strong> (delays expected<\/a>).<\/p>\n However, the OTS process itself will introduce another useful change to fixed line number porting – the ‘Right to Port<\/strong>‘ (mobile operators already have this). In short, this requires ISPs to provide number porting to customers that request it for at least 30 days after the termination of a contract, unless the customer expressly agrees otherwise. This will make it harder for providers to shun their responsibility for lost numbers.<\/p>\n In the meantime, the only option is to go through more of a manual process (Number Port Application<\/strong>), which is initiated by your chosen VoIP provider, but this does come with big caveats. The first problem is that such migrations can take up to 10 working days and usually attract a small porting fee (often in the \u00a315-\u00a325 range). The losing phone provider may also charge a fee for the port, so check their terms (T&Cs).<\/p>\n The biggest risk is to those who are trying to port a number away from an existing broadband and phone bundle, particularly if that number has been provided via a copper-line based connection (e.g. ADSL<\/a>, FTTC<\/a> or G.fast<\/a>). Experiences do vary, and you will need to ask your ISP and VoIP provider beforehand about the impact, but actioning a number port may well result in a loss of broadband when the number is transferred. Some ISPs can correct for this by assigning a new number to the line, but front-line support aren’t always very knowledgeable about all this.<\/p>\n Otherwise, the simplest approach is to wait until the opportunity arrives to adopt FTTP<\/a> broadband and then have that installed first as part of a new connection (i.e. don’t “migrate” your old broadband and phone service). Then you can action a number port from the old service and cancel that package once complete (i.e. it doesn’t matter if the port screws up your old broadband because you’ve already got FTTP<\/a> on another line). The catch being that this approach does add extra costs (i.e. for a little while you’ll be paying for two services). But this way does work, at least until number ports are automated.<\/p>\n The advantage of using a dedicated VoIP solution is that your home phone will become a lot more flexible and accessible. In simple terms, you’ll often be able to access related incoming or outgoing calls to your home number from almost any location where there’s an internet connection (VoIP calls don’t require a fast connection, thus speed is rarely an issue).<\/p>\n The other big advantage is cost, particularly for those who make very little use of their home phone but still want to keep the number for practical reasons. Quite a few VoIP providers will offer a Pay As You Go<\/strong> (PAYG) style solution, which often charges a very small monthly fee and you then pay for each call. But for those who do make lots of calls, you can also find plenty of packages with free and unlimited call bundles etc.<\/p>\n Now click over to page 2 to see the summary of VoIP providers..<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Connecting to VoIP is usually a fairly simple matter of copying some connections details (domain, account ID etc.) from the VoIP provider into an app (software) or a hardware device. A large number of broadband routers already ship with support for VoIP phones (i.e. they have FXS \/ FXO ports on the back), which enable you to connect a regular analogue or DECT handset directly to the router.<\/p>\n Failing that, if your router can’t do this, then you can always buy an Analogue Telephone Adapter<\/strong> (ATA) device (e.g. Grandstream HT-812<\/strong><\/a>) for around \u00a330-\u00a360, which acts as a VoIP bridge between your broadband router and your old phone handset. You could also buy a dedicated VoIP \/ IP phone handset (e.g. Yealink SIP-T33P<\/strong><\/a>), but that’s not necessary (these will usually connect to your router via a LAN port or WiFi<\/a>).<\/p>\n Below we’ve published a short unordered – but not exhaustive – summary of some VoIP \/ SIP providers that you might want to consider when moving away from a traditional analogue home phone service. Most VoIP providers are business focused, but they’re just as usable in the home.<\/p>\n We’re also conscious of the fact that a lot of people who do this will only make occasional use of their home phone (i.e. they merely want to retain the number, mostly for incoming calls), thus we’ll highlight those services with cheaper Pay As You Go<\/strong> (PAYG) options below too.<\/p>\n Finally, please take note that a fair few VoIP providers will, by default, allocate new customers with a free 056 number<\/strong>. These are non-geographical numbers specifically intended for VoIP (not strictly necessary), but it may be wise to consider them as temporary ones until you move your own number because some networks don’t route them probably (e.g. Vodafone<\/a> and a few overseas providers).<\/p>\n Home UK VoIP Providers \u27a4 Andrews & Arnold (A&A \/ AAISP)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Aside from having an excellent reputation in the broadband ISP market, A&A also do a super cheap VoIP service that costs from just \u00a31.20 inc. VAT per month<\/strong> per number (plus \u00a312 setup per number) on a monthly contract term with cheap PAYG call rates. This is arguably one of the best providers for people who don’t want to lose their home phone number, but who also don’t expect to make many calls.<\/p>\n Cost to Port Home Number:<\/strong> \u00a36 to \u00a344.40 (depending on number type\/arrangement choice)<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Landlines:<\/strong> 1.5ppm<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Mobiles:<\/strong> 4ppm<\/p>\n \u27a4 <\/strong>Sipgate<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n In the past Sipgate had an excellent ‘Starter<\/em>‘ (formerly ‘basic’) plan, but they scrapped that in 2022 and now only offer a more expensive series of fixed monthly plans. The cheapest (‘business s’) plan is \u00a312.95 per month<\/strong> on a monthly term, which you can test free for the first 30 days and it comes with a lot of features. Needless to say, Sipgate is still an option, but it’s no longer all that attractive to casual users.<\/p>\n Cost to Port Home Number:<\/strong> \u00a30 (it’s included in the monthly fee)<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Landlines:<\/strong> 1.2ppm<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Mobiles:<\/strong> 11.88ppm<\/p>\n \u27a4 <\/strong>VoIPify<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The service adopts more of a PAYG approach, where customers pay a flat fee of \u00a34.20 per month<\/strong> and then pay for what they use. Features like voicemail, call logs and call forwarding are also included.<\/p>\n Cost to Port Home Number:<\/strong> \u00a318<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Landlines:<\/strong> 0.6ppm<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Mobiles:<\/strong> 1.44ppm<\/p>\n \u27a4 Number People<\/a> Number people appear to offer a “free<\/em>” PAYG style plan, but you will need to pay from \u00a31 per month<\/strong> if you want to forward calls made to a “free<\/em>” number to your VoIP phone\/app etc. Naturally there are also extra charges for adding various other features and they’ll sometimes charge extra for a ported number (see below). So the real cost may end up being more than \u00a31 per month. Packages like this can be confusing.<\/p>\n Cost to Port Home Number:<\/strong> \u00a30 – \u00a32 per month (depending upon the number you’re porting)<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Landlines:<\/strong> 1.5ppm<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Mobiles:<\/strong> 7ppm<\/p>\n \u27a4 Circleloop<\/a> Prices start at \u00a36 per month for PAYG plan (\u00a318 if you want unlimited minutes), which comes with voicemall, call recording and other features.<\/p>\n Cost to Port Home Number:<\/strong> \u00a324<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Landlines:<\/strong> 3.6ppm<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Mobiles:<\/strong> 3.6ppm<\/p>\n \u27a4 Voipfone<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Voipfone prices start at just \u00a31.20 per month for their basic PAYG style “Flex<\/em>” plan with no contract, which includes voicemail, call forwarding \/ diverts and various other things. But if you want to include your own phone number (rather than freely bundled 056) then you’ll be better off taking the \u00a36 per month “Voipfone 100<\/em>” pplan, which also adds call barring and 100 free minutes.<\/p>\n Cost to Port Home Number:<\/strong> \u00a324<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Landlines:<\/strong> 1ppm<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Mobiles:<\/strong> 7ppm<\/p>\n \u27a4 Vonage<\/a> Vonage is arguably one of the most recognisable residential VoIP providers, but they lack a PAYG plan. Instead their cheapest option is the \u00a36.99 per month “Talk UK 1000<\/em>” package (plus \u00a310 for one-off activation). But for that you get 1000 minutes of calls to UK landlines, an included ATA adapter (\u00a35 delivery charge) and various features (call divert, anonymous call blocking, voicemail etc.).<\/p>\n Cost to Port Home Number:<\/strong> \u00a30 (included)<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Landlines:<\/strong> 3ppm (+10p call setup fee) – after included allowance<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Mobiles:<\/strong> 10ppm (+10p call setup fee)<\/p>\n \u27a4 Acefone<\/a> The cheapest PAYG style plan is their \u00a36 per month “Basic<\/em>” tier that includes voicemail, one UK number and a few other features.<\/p>\n Cost to Port Home Number:<\/strong> \u00a318<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Landlines:<\/strong> 7.2ppm<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Mobiles:<\/strong> 7.2ppm<\/p>\n \u27a4 Xinix<\/a> Prices start at \u00a35 per month on a 12-month term for their “Basic<\/em>” PAYG style plan, which includes various features like voicemail, call forwarding \/ divert \/ waiting, nuisance call blocking and a few other things. The package also include a VoIP handset from Gigaset, which is something we don’t always see. But we couldn’t easily find what their UK call charges were.<\/p>\n Cost to Port Home Number:<\/strong> \u00a324<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Landlines:<\/strong> ?<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Mobiles:<\/strong> ?<\/p>\n \u27a4 Tel2<\/a> We know very little about this provider, but they have a PAYG style Starter plan that that is offered free for the first month and includes 60 UK Landline and Mobile minutes. However, it’s unclear how much customers will pay after the first month, although the next package up (‘Cloud 5<\/em>‘) will give you 500 UK Landline and Bundled country minutes for \u00a35 per month. But generally, our biggest gripe with Tel2 is the lack of details on their website (we couldn’t even find how much it costs to port a number).<\/p>\n Cost to Port Home Number:<\/strong> \u00a3?<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Landlines:<\/strong> 1.5ppm<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Mobiles:<\/strong> 4ppm<\/p>\n \u27a4 Yay<\/a> Prices start at \u00a35.99 per month for their ‘Starting Out<\/em>‘ plan, which includes 100 free minutes, HD Quality Calls, Call Encryption, Music On Hold, Voicemail, SIP Trunks, Call Screening & Blocking and various other features. For a business provider, we found Yay to have a very professional and informative website and they do a good job of handling those needing multiple users.<\/p>\n Cost to Port Home Number:<\/strong> \u00a323.99<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Landlines:<\/strong> 1ppm<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Mobiles:<\/strong> 9ppm<\/p>\n \u27a4 VoIPstudio<\/a> The provider’s PAYG plan starts at \u00a34.79 per month, which includes free number porting, lots of features (call logging, call recording, failover protection, voicemail, call waiting, call transfer etc.) and cheap call rates.<\/p>\n Cost to Port Home Number:<\/strong> FREE<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Landlines:<\/strong> 1.20ppm<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Mobiles:<\/strong> 3.60ppm<\/p>\n \u27a4 Dial 9<\/a> This provider offers a standard PAYG plan from \u00a35.99 per month (60 included mins) or \u00a311.99 if you want their unlimited calls option. The familiar features of Voicemail, UK based support and an app for calling are also included. Overall, this looks like a good provider.<\/p>\n Cost to Port Home Number:<\/strong> Cost to Call UK Landlines:<\/strong> 1ppm<\/p>\n Cost to Call UK Mobiles:<\/strong> 4ppm<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Just to be clear, it’s useful to make the distinction between a VoIP product being used to power a home phone (as above) and a so-called “landline replacement service<\/em>” – the latter is essentially a fixed broadband line that is ONLY supplied for the express purpose of supporting a landline-only phone connection via VoIP (i.e. when customers don’t want broadband, only a phone); these are usually low bandwidth lines from ISPs (e.g. 0.5Mbps).<\/p>\n Speaking of low bandwidth, we should add that you don’t need a fast broadband connection to support VoIP calls, since voice traffic is not particularly data intensive. Put another way, an upload or download speed of less than 100Kbps<\/strong> (that’s 0.1Mbps) should be enough for at least a single good quality call, although some services can work with just 30Kbps. In short, don’t worry about your speeds.<\/p>\n Arguably latency (the time delay as data travels between servers) is going to be more of an issue than connection speed, but for the most part this is only really a consideration when dealing with older Satellite<\/a> links (i.e. extreme delays can cause calls to go out of sync or even disconnect) and in business environments (multiple channels). Some mobile data connections can also suffer from latency issues, but this is rarely serious.<\/p>\n A Few Tips and Notes<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 1.<\/strong> Try not to make any mistakes on the number porting form, even small ones, because if you do then it could result in your request being delayed or rejected and the latter may attract a failed port charge (usually costs a bit less than the original port fee).<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong> Some VoIP providers may expect you to, a) keep a working handset connected to both your old landline and new VoIP number during the process and, b) to have made and received at least one call on both services (particularly the VoIP account that you setup earlier). Failing to do this may delay the number port.<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong> Double check with the provider if they support emergency 999 calls. Often, when using VoIP you need to register your address for 999 services as part of the sign-up. This information is sent directly to the UK 999 emergency services and used in the case that you dial 999. This information can often be edited later, but address registration is mandatory to comply with Ofcom<\/a> regulations.<\/p>\n 4.<\/strong> If you’re using an ATA adapter then be aware that some broadband routers may adapt a strict firewall, which could block the VoIP traffic going to your handset. Problems like this can often be fixed on the router by using port forwarding (ask your VoIP provider about the correct details for this, if needed).<\/p>\n 5.<\/strong> There’s something to be said for picking a provider that is also a member of Ofcom<\/a>’s Alternative Dispute Resolution<\/strong> (ADR) scheme (e.g. CISAS or Ombudsman Services) for handling complaints. Likewise, providers that are members of the Comms Council UK<\/strong><\/a> (VoIP industry) may also have a bit more credibility as they’re required to follow certain guidelines.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The final issue to be aware of is the risk from power outages. Internet based phone solutions are naturally dependent upon your broadband connection, which is highly likely to cut out during a localised power cut (DECT handsets have a similar issue – even without VoIP). Ofcom’s guidelines generally require broadband ISPs that offer VoIP style phone services to ensure that they’re able to provide a battery backup solution (these often only last for 1 hour) to vulnerable customers.<\/p>\nSwitching from a Traditional Phone to IP Phone
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nSummary of Home VoIP Providers<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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\n<\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a312<\/del> \u00a30 (porting charges removed early 2023)<\/p>\n