UK phone companies

The uSwitch.com home telephone switching service lists all of the UK's leading phone companies including household names like BT, Kingston, ntl and Telewest. It also includes the alternative phone companies it considers to have significant market share, brand recognition and reputation.

There are more than 170 licensed phone companies in the UK and the market is constantly changing and growing, so uSwitch.com is wary of recommending phone companies, which may not provide suitable levels of service.

In the UK there are two types of phone company to consider:

Direct access phone companies

This type of phone company provides a physical telephone line into your home that connects you to the telephone network. Often known as "fixed line" phone companies, these include British Telecom, Kingston, ntl and Telewest.

Indirect access phone companies

This type of phone company will redirect your calls over their own network but you still have to pay line rental to your direct access phone company. Indirect access phone companies include Primus, First:Telecom, Planet Talk, Euphony, Alpha Telecom and Swiftcall.

There is another option. While only BT and cable phone suppliers actually own telephone lines, BT now has to offer other suppliers the opportunity to rent its lines. This is called Wholesale Line Rental. The major benefit is that you receive one bill from your new supplier for your line rental and calls. You also keep your number and no work is required on your phone line.

* Savings based on price comparison with BT Together Option 1'