Can I get a home phone and broadband deal if I have full fibre?
Yes you can, but it's a digital rather than an analogue (copper) phone line. Part-fibre broadband (30-70Mbps) is currently available to 97% of the UK population.
With these services, if you're with a provider on the Openreach network, you need a landline connection for it to work, but not a landline phone. You don't have to pay extra for line rental - it's all bundled into the broadband cost even if you don't use a landline phone.
In the past, line rental was a necessary cost of having a broadband connection. The landline was there whether or not it was being used.
For Virgin Media broadband and other providers with their own networks, the landline connection is optional.
If you get full fibre broadband installed, your provider disconnects your old copper phone line for good.
If you opt for a full fibre broadband product with a phone service, you automatically get a digital phone line.
Most analogue phone lines are going to be migrated to digital by 31 December 2025. Some broadband service providers may do it even sooner.
Which broadband and phone deals are the best value?
Good value depends what you need and what you want to spend.
The best-value option for you may not be the cheapest broadband and home phone package, but the one that offers everything you want at a fair price.
To weigh up what you need from your combined home phone and broadband, think about:
- Monthly fee: The monthly fee tends to be the ‘headline’ when considering different packages. But it needs to be weighed up against what’s on offer. If there’s a package you like the look of but the price is a bit high, consider contacting the company and haggling. There are no guarantees, but this can help lower the price or get more included in your package.
- Call costs: Check the call cost per minute for national, international and local calls. Costs may depend on who you often call and where they are based.
- Inclusive call minutes: Some packages might include inclusive minutes, for example free weekend and evening calls. To see whether these are good value, think about your typical phone usage. Checking your recent bills should give you an idea of how often you make calls and what type of calls they are.
- Internet speeds: It’s a good idea to do a bit of research on what speed you need. Faster isn’t always better, as there's no point paying for speeds you don’t use. Think about upload speeds. These are important for things like video calls, online gaming and uploading social videos.
- Router: A new broadband and home phone package often comes with a new router as part of the deal. The model of router you get depends on your provider, and some routers are more sophisticated than others.
- Installation costs: Check whether you have to pay to install your new connection. If you’re switching to a full fibre connection, you may need to pay a fee to install the digital services needed for landline calls.
Can I add TV to my broadband and home phone deal?
Yes, in most cases you can choose a package deal that includes broadband, TV and phone.
A lot of TV, both live and streaming, is now delivered digitally through an internet connection. So it can make sense to bundle everything together.
How much do broadband and phone packages cost?
The costs for broadband and phone packages in the UK will vary based on the provider, speed and services included.
According to Ofcom, average list prices for dual-play landline and standard fixed broadband bundles increased by 10% from 2022 to 2023. This shows that prices on the whole are growing for these packages.
However, most providers offer promotional deals that can reduce costs, particularly for new customers. Keep an eye out during events like Black Friday or the January sales, as prices can drop lower than usual.
If you’re a low-income household on government benefits, you could be eligible for cheaper social tariffs. Many providers will offer a lower price for internet or phone services to help people stay connected without breaking the bank. These deals usually cost less than regular packages, but they still give you the basics like a decent internet speed or phone connection for everyday use. Not all providers offer them though, so you’d need to check which ones do.
Don’t forget to consider additional costs like installation fees or equipment chargers. These tend to vary by provider and package type.
When should I switch broadband and landline provider?
It’s a good idea to review the deals available and consider switching suppliers as you come close to the end of your existing contract. One Touch Switch means this is easy to do - simply sign up with your new provider and they’ll manage the switchover process.
Ofcom reports that people who have passed their initial contract period pay around 20% more on their broadband deal than those who switch. This is often referred to as the ‘loyalty penalty’.
As you near the end of your contract, your supplier should provide you with clear information about your service. This includes the price you’re paying and details like the speed of your broadband service. This should include any potential price increase you could face.
Suppliers are now also required to give you notifications about any better deals that may be available. This means they’ll send annual best tariff notifications to customers who are out of contract.
How do I find the best phone and broadband deals?
The best way to find the best broadband and phone deals available to you is to search on a comparison site.
At Confused.com, we make it simple to find the best broadband and landline deals. All you need to do is go to the top of this page, or visit our broadband comparison page and enter your postcode. This helps us show you the deals available in your area, tailored to your location.
We’ll display a list of packages with key details like monthly costs, contract lengths, and internet speeds. You can also use our filters to narrow down the options based on what matters most to you, like faster speeds or shorter contracts. We also highlight special offers, such as discounts or free months, to help you get the best value, especially during sales like Black Friday.
Once you’ve found a deal you like, you can compare it side by side with others to make sure it’s the right fit. Before signing up, we recommend reviewing the terms to check for any hidden fees or price increases. When you’re ready, follow our straightforward steps to sign up.
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