Broadband & home phone deals

Broadband and home phone deals explained - how do they work?

Broadband and phone deals include your broadband connection and home phone line packaged in the same monthly plan. Currently, even though lots of us don't even have a home phone plugged in, a phone line is still required for many broadband connections to work.

As a result, most providers now offer broadband-only deals without paying for a landline service. But since lots of them still need a phone line to get to your home, the cost of using it is just part of your broadband price.

However, if you still use your landline to call friends and family - especially anyone abroad - you can still get a broadband and phone plan. You will usually just have to choose a home phone service as an add-on when signing up for your new provider.

Can I get a broadband and home phone deal?

You very likely can. All the major providers on Uswitch offer home phone services with their broadband, many of whom have at least 97% coverage across the UK, too. So you'll have plenty of options if you're looking for a broadband and home phone service.

Taking a few minutes to compare broadband speeds and monthly prices in your area could not only save you money, but you might even end up with a service that's better suited to your needs too.

Reasons to add home phone to your broadband

If you're unsure whether to add a home phone service to your broadband deal, here are the top things you should know.

How to find the right home phone plan

Once you've decided to add a home phone line to your broadband package, you'll likely have a few options to choose from. Here's how to decide which phone service you need.

Decide how often you’ll be on the phone

There are usually three different types of phone packages to choose from. They’re defined by how many minutes you’ll be on the phone and what time of day you’ll be making your calls.

• Weekend calls: Usually the cheapest home phone packages, they give you free phone calls on weekends but will charge a standard rate per minute for weekdays.

• Evening & weekend calls: This is often the most popular home phone option. Calls during the day Monday-Friday will have a charge but are free between 7pm-7am. All weekend calls come at no extra cost to your monthly rate.

• Anytime calls: The most expensive option - unlimited inclusive calls at no extra charge all day, all week. You’ll just have to pay higher monthly prices for the privilege.

If you think you can save most of your landline calls for the evening or weekend, you would no doubt save money by avoiding an Anytime Calls package. But if you need to contact people throughout the week, you might have to opt for the plan with the most flexibility.

Check the call prices per minute

Unless you pay for an Anytime Calls package, there will be times in the week when you need to pay a charge per minute to make calls on your landline.

Providers might charge slightly different rates, but this cost won’t usually be more than about 16p per minute. While that doesn’t seem like a huge amount for the odd call, this number can quickly pile up, so if you pay for a cheaper Evening & Weekend package, then it’d be wise to save most of your calls for those times.

Check the cost of other calls

Do you use your landline to call mobiles or make international calls? If so, it’s important to check whether these calls are included in your minutes. If they aren’t, what are the costs?

If you're likely to call mobile phones or speak to people in other countries, you might want to avoid deals that charge extra for these services.