Most home phone services are now provided alongside broadband, which is often the main way households get a landline today.
However, it's still possible to get a landline-only deal from BT, KCOM and Direct Save Telecom, which can work out cheaper for households that genuinely do not want Internet access.
BT Home Essentials or KCOM Flex are also good options for people on low incomes to get the cheapest possible landline phone service.
Quick answer: What is the cheapest way to get a landline?
The cheapest landline-only service currently costs:
- £11.99 per month from KCOM in Hull, or
- £13.09 per month from BT across the rest of the UK.
Households on low incomes may qualify for social tariffs, with landline services available from:
- £5.10 per month from KCOM Flex, or
- £10 per month with BT Home Essentials.
Alternatively, broadband and phone bundles start from around £22.50 per month, which can include both a landline and full fibre broadband.
See the broadband and phone deals table below for current offers.
Landline phone only deals
Only three providers still offer landline-only phone deals in the UK: BT, Direct Save Telecom, and KCOM in Hull.
BT and KCOM are incumbent Universal Service Providers, meaning they have an obligation to ensure customers can access a home phone service.
Direct Save Telecom is an independent provider that resells access to the Openreach network, allowing it to offer landline services without operating its own national infrastructure.
All three providers offer pay-as-you-go calling, with optional inclusive call plans available to reduce costs for households that regularly use their landline.
In areas where copper analogue lines have been retired and full fibre is available, customers requesting a landline only may instead be provided with a Full Fibre Voice Line Rental service.
This involves installing a full fibre line to the property, with calls delivered digitally over the connection. The phone service still works as a landline, but it relies on mains power and does not include broadband access.
BT
BT offers landline-only packages, with a discounted line rental available for customers who do not take broadband from BT or another provider.
The discount was introduced following intervention by Ofcom to ensure landline-only customers were not paying significantly more than broadband customers.
Here are the current prices for BT's landline phone service:
| Plan | Line rental charge | Landline only discount | Total monthly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Standard Line Rental | £30.20 | £18.11 | £12.09 |
|
|
Line Rental Plus | £32.20 | £18.11 | £14.09 |
From 31 March 2026, BT will increase its standard line rental prices by £1 per month for both new and existing customers. The landline-only discount will still apply, but the final line-only price will also rise by £1 per month:
- Standard Line Rental: £31.20 per month, or £13.09 per month with the landline-only discount
- Line Rental Plus: £33.20 per month, or £15.09 per month with the landline-only discount
Line Rental Plus includes additional calling features such as Call Waiting, Call Barring, Call Diversion, 3-Way Calling, Reminder Call, Call Sign, Ringback, and Choose to Refuse for up to ten numbers.
BT reviews landline prices each year and publishes updated standard line rental charges and discounted landline-only prices in its official tariff. Customers taking a landline without broadband continue to receive the landline-only discount shown above.
Standard landline-only customers can also add inclusive call plans, while still being eligible for the landline-only discount. Here are the prices of those plans:
| Call plan | Monthly price (with discount) | Contract term | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Line Rental | Pay as you go calls at 23.75 pence per minute | £12.09 | 12 months |
| 700 Minutes | 700 minutes a month for UK landline and UK mobile numbers | £20.41 | 12 months |
| Unlimited Minutes | Unlimited minutes for UK landlines and UK mobile numbers | £24.09 | 12 months |
Landline only customers also get discounts on out of allowance calling costs, and calls to international destinations.
BT Home Essentials
Customers receiving certain means-tested benefits who only need a phone line should consider BT Home Essentials, which offers the lowest landline-only prices.
BT Home Essentials is BT's social tariff, designed to provide an affordable home phone service for customers who might otherwise struggle to afford a landline.
Previously known as BT Basic, the scheme was replaced by BT Home Essentials in June 2021, expanding eligibility and introducing new options alongside broadband.
The landline-only plan includes:
| Package | Call plan | Monthly price | Contract term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Home Essentials | Unlimited calls to UK landlines, UK mobiles and 0845/0870 numbers | £10 | 12 months |
While the minimum term lasts for 12 months, there are no early termination fees if a customer needs to exit the contract early, and BT Home Essentials is also excluded from any annual price rises.
KCOM
While BT is the designated Universal Service Provider (USP) across most of the UK, KCOM holds this responsibility in Hull.
As a result, KCOM offers a landline-only phone service for customers who do not want or need a broadband connection.
The current prices for KCOM's landline service are shown below:
| Package | Call plan | Monthly price | Contract term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Landline-only | Pay as you go calls | £11.99 (by Direct Debit) | 12 months |
|
|
UK Landlines | Unlimited calls to UK landlines and 084/087 numbers | £18.49 | 12 months |
|
|
UK Landlines + Mobile | Unlimited calls to UK landlines, UK mobiles and 084/087 numbers | £23.99 | 12 months |
On the landline-only plan, calls to UK landlines are charged at 15p per minute, with a 23p call connection fee.
KCOM's landline-only plans do not increase in price during the minimum contract period. After the contract ends, the monthly price rises by £1 unless the customer agrees to a new contract.
Paper billing is also included at no extra cost for landline-only customers.
KCOM Flex
KCOM Flex is KCOM's social tariff, offering a lower-cost landline service for customers receiving certain means-tested benefits.
Flex is available to customers receiving certain means-tested benefits. Eligible benefits include Income Support, Pension Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Universal Credit (with zero or reduced earnings), Employment and Support Allowance (income-related), and Disability Living Allowance.
Flex is also available to care home residents, Lifeline customers referred by Social Services, and care leavers.
The monthly price for KCOM Flex is shown below:
| Package | Inclusive calls | Monthly price | Contract term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Flex Voice | 750 minutes per month to UK Landlines and Mobiles | £5.10 | 30 days |
KCOM Flex is available on a 30-day rolling contract, so customers can cancel at any time by giving 30 days' notice, with no early termination fees. Prices are also fixed and are not subject to annual price increases while on the Flex tariff.
The Flex landline-only plan includes 750 minutes per month to UK landlines and UK mobile numbers.
If customers exceed their inclusive allowance, additional call charges apply until a monthly spend cap of £10 is reached. Once this cap is reached, further calls will not incur additional charges, subject to fair use.
Optional call bolt-ons and additional services are also available for customers who need a higher allowance or different calling options.
| Call bolt-on | Monthly price |
|---|---|
| Unlimited UK landlines at any time | £4 per month |
| Unlimited UK landlines and mobiles at any time | £8 per month |
| International 1000 minutes | £8 per month |
| All-inclusive calling package | £15 per month |
KCOM Flex prices are fixed and are not subject to annual price increases while customers remain on the social tariff.
Direct Save Telecom
Direct Save Telecom is not designated as a Universal Service Provider (USP), so its landline-only pricing and structure differ from BT and KCOM.
The provider does not include any inclusive calls as standard with its landline-only service, meaning customers must add a call package on top of the monthly line rental.
There are two options for customers who want a landline-only service:
| Plan | Monthly price | Payment frequency | Contract term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Best Value Line Rental | £21.67 | Annual | 12 months |
|
|
Pay Monthly Line Rental | £23.95 | Monthly | 12 months |
There is some flexibility here as customers can either choose the cheapest price by paying a year upfront, or if that's not a viable option, they can pay monthly with a 12-month contract.
In addition to these prices above, customers also need to add a call plan from one of the following:
| Call plan | Monthly price | Contract term | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay As You Go | Pay as you go calls from 18.27 pence per minute | £2.95 | As above |
| 700 Mins | 700 minutes of calls to UK landlines and UK mobiles | £6.95 | As above |
| Anytime Calls | Anytime calls to UK landlines and UK mobiles | £13.95 | As above |
Calling costs with Direct Save Telecom can be lower than BT's standard rates, but its higher line rental means the total monthly cost is usually greater. Unlike BT, which increases landline-only prices by £1 per month each year, Direct Save Telecom prices are fixed during the contract period and typically only change when the minimum term ends.
Cheapest phone and broadband bundles
While some households only need a landline, bundling a home phone line with broadband can often reduce the overall monthly cost and gives access to a wider range of providers.
The cheapest broadband and phone bundles currently available are shown below:
| Package | Broadband | Monthly price | Upfront price | Contract term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Full Fibre 150 | 150Mb average | £22.50 | Free | 24 months |
 Offer: Existing Vodafone pay monthly customers get a £75 bill credit + £2 off for Vodafone pay monthly customers | |||||
 |
Full Fibre 75 | 75Mb average | £23 | £5 | 24 months |
| Offer: £5 refundable advance fee for new customers if applicable | |||||
 |
Full Fibre 150 | 150Mb average | £24 | £5 | 24 months |
| Offer: WiFi Max just £4/mth + £5 refundable setup fee for new customers if applicable | |||||
|
Full Fibre 100 | 100Mb average | £26.99 | Free | 24 months |
| Offer: Reduced prices (Ends 28/02/2026) | |||||
Unless customers qualify for discounted landline-only tariffs from BT or KCOM, some broadband and phone bundles can cost less overall than standalone landline services from providers such as Direct Save Telecom.
As more essential services such as Universal Credit, banking, and GP appointments have moved online, having a home broadband connection has become increasingly important for everyday independence. Getting online can also help older people manage finances, access healthcare services, and reduce reliance on others.
Broadband also enables free internet calling and video services such as Zoom or WhatsApp, helping people stay in touch with family and friends and reduce social isolation. This can be done using a simple device such as a tablet, as explained in our guide to why older people should get online.
Read more about the cheapest broadband and phone deals.
Home phone calling costs
If a landline service does not include inclusive minutes, or a call plan is not added, calls are charged per minute and costs can build up over time.
For households that make regular outgoing calls, inclusive call plans usually offer better value than paying per call. However, for lighter users or those who mainly receive calls, pay-as-you-go rates may be more cost-effective.
The current call charges to UK landlines and mobile numbers across major providers are shown below:
| Connection fee | Price per minute (UK landlines) | Price per minute (UK mobiles) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodafone | 19p | 11.5p | 13p |
| KCOM | 23p | 15p | From 18p |
| BT | 29p | 18.9p | 22.7p |
| EE | 33p | 22p | 22p |
| Virgin Media | 19p | 24p | 24p |
| TalkTalk | 25p | 25p | 25p |
| Direct Save Telecom | None | 25.34p | 25.34p |
| NOW Broadband | 25p | 27p | 27p |
| Sky | 25p | 27p | 27p |
The table above includes a selection of the UK's cheapest broadband and phone providers, allowing a direct comparison between the call charges on landline-only services and bundled broadband and phone packages.
Most providers now charge broadly similar per-minute rates, but Vodafone stands out for significantly lower call charges, with UK landline and mobile rates less than half those charged by BT and many other providers.
Calling mobile phones
Customers who regularly call UK mobile numbers should check whether mobile calls are included in their provider's inclusive calling plans, as this can significantly reduce overall costs.
Most major providers now include UK mobile calls within their anytime or unlimited call plans, including BT, TalkTalk, Sky, NOW Broadband, Vodafone, and EE.
However, some providers either exclude UK mobile calls from their standard landline calling plans or only include them on higher-tier packages. This includes Virgin Media, Hyperoptic, and smaller providers such as iTalk Telecom, where mobile calls may require an upgraded plan or be charged separately.
0845 and 0870 numbers
Calls to 084, 087, 09 and 118 numbers use Ofcom's "unbundled tariff" system, meaning the total cost is split into two parts:
- Access charge - set by your phone provider and charged per minute.
- Service charge - set by the organisation you are calling and applied per minute.
The total cost of the call is the access charge plus the service charge. Providers must clearly publish their access charge, while organisations using these numbers must state their service charge wherever the number is advertised.
| Access charge (per minute) | Service charge (per minute) | |
|---|---|---|
| 084 numbers | Set by provider (typically 15p to 33p) | Up to 7p |
| 087 numbers | Set by provider (typically 15p to 33p) | Up to 13p |
These calls are rarely included in inclusive call plans and can become expensive if used frequently, particularly where the provider's access charge is higher.
Full access charge details are listed in each provider's tariff guide.
Broadband-first market changes
While a small number of providers still offer landline-only services, mainly due to the Universal Service Obligation held by BT and KCOM, the UK telecoms market has largely moved to a broadband-first model.
This means broadband is now the primary service, with home phone provided as an optional add-on rather than a standalone product. As a result, fewer providers offer landline-only plans, and most new phone services require a broadband connection.
This shift is being driven by the nationwide closure of the copper Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which Openreach stopped selling to new customers in September 2023. The remaining copper phone network is scheduled to be switched off by January 2027, with all services moving to digital alternatives.
Digital landlines, known as Digital Voice by BT and similar names by other providers, work over a broadband connection instead of a traditional phone line. Providers including Virgin Media, Sky, TalkTalk, and EE have already migrated most customers to these internet-based phone services.
The rollout of full fibre broadband is accelerating this transition, as many fibre packages no longer include a home phone service by default. Some providers, particularly budget broadband providers, do not offer a home phone option at all.
While this reduces the availability of traditional landline-only services, broadband connectivity has become essential for accessing everyday services, communication, and digital phone lines themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest landline phone service?
The cheapest landline-only phone service is £12.09 per month from BT (£13.09 from March 2026), which includes their discounted line rental for customers who take a phone line without broadband.
In Hull, where KCOM is the Universal Service Provider, landline-only service starts from £11.99 per month when paying by Direct Debit, or £12.49 per month for customers paying by other methods.
Can I get a landline phone without broadband?
Yes. BT and KCOM both offer landline-only services as part of their Universal Service Obligation, and providers such as Direct Save Telecom also offer standalone home phone plans.
BT and KCOM provide discounted line rental for customers who take a landline without broadband. However, as the UK moves to digital phone services and the copper network is phased out, fewer providers offer landline-only options, and most new phone services now require a broadband connection.
How much does BT line rental cost?
BT line rental costs £30.20 per month at the standard price. Customers who take a landline without broadband receive an ongoing discount, reducing the monthly cost to £12.09.
BT landline-only prices increase by £1 per month each year in March under BT's current pricing terms.
What is the eligibility requirement for BT's social landline-only service?
BT's social tariff, BT Home Essentials, is available to customers receiving certain means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, and Employment and Support Allowance (income-related).
The Home Essentials landline-only plan costs £10 per month and includes line rental and unlimited calls to UK landlines. Additional broadband options are also available for eligible customers.
Summary: Cheapest landline is with BT or KCOM
The cheapest landline-only phone services are offered by BT and KCOM, reflecting their Universal Service Obligation to provide an affordable home phone line on request.
Customers receiving certain benefits can save even more through social tariffs such as BT Home Essentials and KCOM Flex, which offer reduced monthly prices and inclusive call allowances.
For households willing to take broadband as well, bundled broadband and phone packages can sometimes cost less overall than standalone landline services, while also providing access to digital phone services.
Vodafone stands out for particularly low call charges and competitively priced broadband bundles, making it one of the cheapest options for customers who still rely on a home phone.
For regular landline users, choosing an inclusive call plan is often the most cost-effective option, helping to avoid higher pay-as-you-go call charges and unexpected bills.
Read more about getting a new phone line installed in the UK, and compare the cheapest broadband offers to find the cheapest option available.
