Your guide to broadband and phone packages
Dan Howdle
It wasn't all that long ago that if you wanted a broadband deal, having a phone line arriving along with it wasn't a choice, it was mandatory with most providers. That's because prior to the arrival of Full Fibre, ADSL and Standard Fibre lines arrived via a copper telephone line. For most, that's no longer the case, and providers have adapted their offering, meaning if you want a landline, you'll often have to ask for one, and pay for it at additional expense.
But the situation is not the same across all providers, and what you get has changed too, since the old analogue phone network is soon to be switched off completely. Let's take a closer look at the current situation.
In this guide
How to choose a broadband and phone bundle
If you still use your landline regularly — or you’re in an area where phone lines are needed to get online — a broadband and phone bundle can save you time, money and hassle. But not all bundles are alike. Here’s how to decide which one suits you best.
Do you actually need a landline?
Full Fibre broadband doesn’t rely on copper phone lines (that's a good thing as they're being phased out), and many new packages don’t include a landline at all. But if you still make regular phone calls on a landline, or if your broadband is still delivered via an older connection (like ADSL or Standard Fibre), you’ll need one. And in that case, bundling your broadband and phone into one monthly deal makes a lot more sense than trying to separate them out, which honestly can be actively difficult to do.
There are several different types of landline package
- Pay as you go: Ideal if you rarely use your landline. You’ll only pay for the calls you actually make
- Evening and weekend calls: A good choice if you tend to chat after work or catch up with friends and family at the weekend
- Anytime calls: Best for households where someone is always using the phone, or where the landline is a key contact method
- International calls: Some providers offer bolt-ons for calling abroad at discounted rates, which could be useful if you have family overseas
Is bundling cheaper than buying separately?
Yes, always. If you’re going to be paying for line rental anyway, it usually works out cheaper to take a broadband and phone bundle from the same provider. It also means just one bill and one point of contact if anything goes wrong. And let's be honest, separating your broadband and phone ine between two providers is going to need some sort of exceptional reason, like needing a business line at home for example. Because it's a faff.
If you never use your landline and Full Fibre is available in your area, you may want to skip the phone line altogether and just opt for broadband only instead. Most providers now offer broadband only, with the most notable exception being Sky, which provides a pay as you go line no matter what, and some other providers who still insist on a line unless you opt for Full Fibre.
What our expert says...
"Increasingly, providers are not offering a landline as standard, so if you need one you'll need to add one on. This is somewhat sneaky, since the prices you'll see advertised don't represent the total cost of your package once a landline is added on. Just be aware that if you need one, it'll often cost you more than the broadband package prices you see listed."
Dan Howdle, Broadband and mobile expert
Broadband and phone providers compared
Most major broadband providers in the UK offer some form of broadband and phone bundle, though what you get and how much it costs can vary quite a bit. Here’s a look at how the big names stack up when it comes to speed options, phone plans, and useful extras.
Which providers include landlines in their bundles?
It depends on the connection type. If you’re signing up to Full Fibre, a landline might not be included at all – or it may be delivered digitally as part of a VoIP (digital phone) setup. ADSL and Standard Fibre packages still include traditional landlines by default, often with the option to add a call plan that suits your usage.
Major provider overview
- BT: Includes a landline with most broadband packages, with optional call plans ranging from PAYG to unlimited. Digital Voice (VoIP) is the default where Full Fibre is available since no analogue line coming into your home will be 'live'
- Sky: Offers landline services with flexible call plan add-ons. All of its broadband packages still come with a phone line at this current time
- Virgin Media: Landline is optional, and only available with selected packages. Uses its own cable network, separate from Openreach. Landlines are available for anytime or weekend/evening calls, or on a pay as you go basis
- TalkTalk: Offers phone line as part of all Standard Fibre deals, with PAYG or bolt-on call plans. Full Fibre packages often drop the phone line entirely
- Plusnet: Never bundles a phones line in as standard, but you can add one yourself during the checkout process, and at additional cost to those advertised
- EE: Similarly to Plusnet, no EE Broadband package comes with a phone line as standard, but you can add one at the checkout at additional cost
- Vodafone: Landline with PAYG or inclusive calls available on Standard Fibre. Most Full Fibre packages are broadband only but you can add a digital phone option at checkout
Broadband and phone bundles compared
Calling packages explained in detail
If you're choosing a broadband and phone bundle, the type of calling package you go for can make a big difference to your monthly bill. Some people barely use their landline anymore, while others rely on it for family calls or speaking to relatives abroad. Here's how the main types of calling package work, what to watch for, and how to avoid any surprises in your bill.
Types of call plan
- Pay As You Go (PAYG): You don’t pay anything extra up front, but every call you make is charged per minute. It's good option if you rarely use the landline but want to keep it for emergencies or occasional calls, but the worst option if you use your landline regularly
- Evening & Weekend: Usually covers calls made from Friday evening through to Sunday night, and weekday evenings from around 7pm to 7am. You’ll pay a monthly fee but calls during these times are included
- Anytime: As the name suggests, this type of package covers calls at any time of day, night or week. It's usually the most expensive option (unless under special offer of some kind), but the best one if you use your landline regularly and at unpredictable times
Inclusive minutes and fair use
Some providers cap their inclusive calls with a fair usage policy – for example, BT’s plans often include up to 1,000 minutes per month to UK numbers, while TalkTalk may cut off calls after 60 minutes unless you hang up and redial. Whichever provider you choose these somewhat 'secret' limits go to show you should always check the small print.
Inclusive minutes usually apply to UK landlines starting 01, 02 or 03, and sometimes to UK mobile numbers too, depending on your provider. However, calls to international numbers or premium-rate services are almost never included.
International call options
If you regularly call overseas, some providers offer bolt-ons or add-ons that give you cheaper international rates. These can cover specific regions (like EU countries or America) or offer general discounted rates for a wide range of destinations. EE, for example, has a 'Calling Abroad' add-on, while Sky offers 'International Saver' packs with inclusive minutes to 50+ destinations.
Premium rate charges
Calls to premium rate numbers often aren’t included unless even on an Anytime plan. Premium rate numbers (starting with 09 or 118) can be particularly costly — sometimes over £3 per minute! — and are rarely included in any plan. If you call these numbers often there's no easy way of avoiding these charges, sadly.
Availability and networks
Not all broadband and phone bundles are created equal — and not all are available everywhere. The type of network (or networks) that serves your home plays a big role in what sort of broadband you can get, and whether a traditional or digital phone line is included. Here's what you need to know.
How broadband networks differ for phone lines
Standard Broadband and ADSL bundles usually come with a copper landline as standard. But with the shift to Full Fibre this is changing fast. Some bundles, even those on older network technology (non-Full FIbre) now include a 'digital voice' service — which works over your broadband – while others skip the phone line entirely.
If you still need or want a landline, it’s worth checking whether the bundle you're looking at includes one, and whether it’s a traditional copper connection or a newer digital one. The type you get will depend on the network your provider uses as well as which provider you choose.
Openreach, Virgin Media, and altnets
- Openreach (used by BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Plusnet, EE, etc): Most packages include a phone line — either traditional or digital — and many still use the old copper wiring for the phone part, unless you're on Full Fibre
- Virgin Media: Runs its own separate cable network and typically offers broadband with or without a phone line. Where included, it's digital voice via the router rather than a copper landline
- Altnets (like Community Fibre, Hyperoptic, or Gigaclear): Many of these newer Full Fibre networks don’t offer a landline at all. If they do, it’s going to be a digital phone service add-on that works over your broadband connection
How to check what you can get
To find out what providers and packages are available at your address, use our postcode checker (at the top of this page). It’ll show you what type of broadband is available (ADSL, Standard, Fibre, Full Fibre), which providers are in your area, and whether a phone line is included as standard or if you'll need to add one on at the checkout.
Even if Full Fibre is now available in your area, some providers may still offer older copper-based packages. These may be cheaper but won't necessarily include a phone service, especially as the UK moves towards digital-only calls by the end of this year (2025).
Contracts, fees, and support
Broadband and phone bundles often look similar on the surface, but the fine print can vary a lot — especially when it comes to contract length, installation, hidden usage limits, and what happens if you need help. Here's what to keep in mind.
Contract lengths and cancellation fees
Most broadband and phone deals come with a 24-month contract, with a smattering of notabile exceptions that are 18 months in length. Leaving early usually means paying an exit fee, which is often calculated based on the number of months left on your contract. All providers now also include details of the price increases expected each April 1.
If you're not keen on commitment, a few providers (like NOW Broadband) offer rolling monthly options, but these rarely include phone services as standard and tend to be quite a bit more expensive overall. You're paying extra for the ability to quit out early, even if you ultimately don't.
Installation: what to expect
Installation depends on the type of line and network. If your home already has the same type of cabling as the provider you're switching to coming into your home, you're good to go. So, if you already have a Full Fibre line installed and you're switching to a different Full Fibre provider, the line is already there, which means less hassle. If you’re switching to Full Fibre or don’t have a line already, you will need an engineer visit. Providers like BT and Virgin Media will arrange this for you, often within a couple of weeks.
There’s usually no charge for installation if you’re signing a contract, but some providers apply setup or activation fees — typically £10–£30. Setup charges will be very visible in the package details, which is why most providers now waive them – they can be quite off-putting.
Customer support and home phone
Support quality can vary widely. Some providers offer 24/7 support (like BT and Virgin Media), while others keep to standard office hours. If you’re relying on your landline for important or emergency calls, it’s worth checking how responsive the provider is, and whether it offers a fault guarantee or service-level agreement. And if you work from home and rely heavily on your landline, it may be worth investigating a business line, since support for that sort of line tends to include cast-iron guarantees.
It’s also worth knowing that digital phone lines won’t work during a power cut unless you have a battery backup. Providers are required to offer one to customers who rely on their landline (for example, those who use medical emergency alert systems) — so make sure to ask if that applies to you.
