How to choose a home phone service Should I get a home phone service?

Switching home phone company is one way to save

Home phone service FAQs

How do I use a prefix code to get cheap calls?

Sign up free on your chosen company's website and you can start using the prefix straightaway. Some prefix providers (also known as call override services) have contact phone numbers, but many don't - in order to keep costs down. You will be billed separately by the call override service for any calls you make. 

Have a look at the Which? home phone services review to find out which call override service comes out top in our exclusive survey.

Can I keep my home phone number if I switch?

Almost certainly – even if you're switching to or from cable. Just tell your new provider that you want to keep your number.

If I switch, will I lose services such as 1571?

Most companies offer services such as 1571. Some use BT's services and are billed by BT for them. Other providers offer their own alternatives.

A sales rep called me about moving to a new company. I didn't agree to this, but I then received a letter with a switching date. What should I do?

You have to pay bills only if there is a legal contract between you and the phone company, but be careful what you say to salespeople – contracts can be oral. If you think that you've been mis-sold a contract, you have 10 working days to tell the company to transfer you back to your original provider. If the problem is not resolved within eight weeks, you can contact the Otelo or Cisas dispute resolution schemes (every provider must belong to one of these). 

Trying to cancel a contract? See our guide first.

Home phone services jargon buster

Auto-dialler

A box between the phone and the socket redirects calls through your chosen provider.

Carrier pre-selection

Companies that offer carrier pre-selection automatically re-route your calls at the telephone exchange. This is not available with cable.

Inclusive calls

Some providers include evening, weekend or anytime calls in a fixed monthly price. Bear in mind usually only UK landline calls to numbers starting 01, 02 or 03 are included, although some providers include calls to 0845/0870 and some international locations so it's worth shopping around. 

Prefix number services/Call override services

You dial a code before the number you want to ring and pay the company that owns the prefix for these calls. Also available on cable.

Phone bundle

Where your home phone service is 'bundled' together with another service – such as broadband or digital TV – for one overall monthly price. 

Find out more about the types of deal you can get in our guide to phone, internet and TV packages.