The telecommunications landscape in the UK has dramatically changed, moving far beyond the era of a single phone service provider. While British Telecom (BT), now a historical giant, once held a monopoly, the Telecommunications Act of 1984 paved the way for competition. Companies like Virgin Media entered the market, offering landline services by leveraging BT’s infrastructure via Openreach.
However, the true revolution came with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). VoIP technology eliminated the reliance on traditional landlines, utilizing broadband internet connections to transmit voice calls. This shift opened the floodgates for new providers, transforming the UK into a highly competitive telecommunications market. For both businesses and homeowners, this competition translates into significant cost savings.
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UK Business VoIP Phone Service Comparison
The UK business VoIP market is dynamic and rapidly expanding, with new providers consistently emerging. This intense competition benefits businesses directly, offering opportunities to substantially reduce monthly phone expenses. A study by Telappliant indicated that a significant majority of UK businesses were integrating VoIP in some capacity as early as 2013. With a multitude of VoIP companies vying for your business, selecting the right provider can be a daunting task. We aim to simplify this process by offering a comparison of UK VoIP companies, serving as a starting point to discover optimal solutions. To make an informed decision, consider these steps:
- Analyze your current business phone bill to understand existing service costs, including line rentals and call charges.
- Compare pricing structures and examine user reviews for various VoIP providers.
- Sign up with a suitable provider and start lowering your business communication costs.
UK Business VoIP Provider Options
Explore this curated list of VoIP phone service providers tailored for UK businesses. If you are aware of other providers that deserve recognition, please contact us.
UK Home VoIP Phone Service Comparison
The widespread adoption of broadband in the UK over the past decade and a half has fueled the growth of VoIP for home users. Improvements in availability, competitive pricing, and service quality of broadband are directly beneficial to VoIP, as a robust high-speed internet connection is fundamental to its operation. VoIP technology converts your voice into a digital signal, sending it as data packets over the internet, bypassing traditional phone lines and significantly reducing costs. To assess your internet connection’s suitability for VoIP, utilize our VoIP Speed Test. This step is crucial to ensure your internet can support the bandwidth and latency requirements for high-quality VoIP calls.
To assist you in finding the ideal home phone provider, WhichVoIP has conducted extensive research to identify leading UK VoIP providers for comparison and review. Our recommended steps to streamline your selection process are:
- Compare UK home phone providers, paying close attention to user reviews for real-world feedback.
- Identify the provider that aligns best with your specific home communication needs and budget.
- Register with your chosen provider and begin enjoying cost-effective home phone service.
UK Home VoIP Provider Choices
Browse this list of VoIP phone service providers specifically for UK home phone service. If you know of other providers that should be included, please inform us.
Understanding Line Rental in the UK VoIP Market
A crucial aspect to consider when switching to VoIP for your UK home is the concept of line rental. While many VoIP providers advertise attractive monthly fees for unlimited call minutes, it is essential to be aware of potential additional line rental fees. In the UK, a significant portion of broadband internet services utilize existing landline infrastructure for connection. This can result in a separate line rental charge, sometimes reaching around £15 per month. Despite this, VoIP can still offer substantial savings compared to traditional landline services. It is vital to clarify the complete pricing structure, including any line rental fees, before making a comparison between different VoIP options.
Key Factors to Compare When Choosing a VoIP Provider
When you Compare Voice Over Ip Providers, several factors should weigh heavily in your decision-making process. These factors ensure you select a service that not only saves you money but also meets your communication needs effectively.
- Pricing and Plans: Examine the monthly fees, call charges (especially for international calls if relevant), setup costs, and any hidden charges. Compare different plans to find one that matches your usage patterns. Look for transparent pricing structures.
- Features: VoIP offers a range of features beyond basic calling, such as call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, caller ID, call waiting, and more advanced options like auto-attendants and conference calling for business users. Assess which features are important to you or your business.
- Call Quality: While VoIP call quality has improved significantly, it still relies on your internet connection. Look for providers known for high call quality and consider using a speed test to check your internet suitability. Some providers offer HD voice for superior clarity.
- Customer Support: Reliable customer support is crucial, especially during setup and if you encounter technical issues. Check for the availability of support channels (phone, email, chat) and read reviews about the quality of customer service.
- User Reviews and Reputation: Research user reviews and testimonials to get insights into real-world experiences with different providers. Consider the provider’s reputation and track record in the market.
By carefully comparing these aspects across different voice over IP providers, you can make an informed choice and find the best VoIP solution for your specific requirements, whether for home or business use in the UK.
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WhichVoIP Visitor Comments
#7 : Posted by Valerie
We are moving office and need to keep our existing number. TalkTalk can’t port it, BT (current provider) can but only with slower broadband. VoIP seems like an option. How can we retain our number if TalkTalk can’t port it?
-> Response: Number porting is usually straightforward. It’s unusual TalkTalk can’t port. Did they specify why? Alternatively, could BT forward calls from your old number to a new one temporarily?
#6 : Posted by Richard
Vonage quality isn’t always landline quality. FaceTime is great for free iPhone calls. Vonage cancellation after a month has a £54 charge.
-> Response: Call quality can depend on internet quality. Good internet usually means VoIP quality is comparable to landlines. Thanks for the Vonage cancellation charge warning.
#5 : Posted by Linda O’neil
Moving from UK to France but need a UK number for clients. UK or French VoIP provider? Can I use my 0845 number? UK or French provider for that?
-> Response: Sign up with a UK VoIP provider (like Vonage UK) and use it in France. Or, get a French VoIP provider and add a UK virtual number. Either way, your 0845 number might be portable – check with providers.
#4 : Posted by Sandra Brownlie
BT broadband is slow (0.5). Switching to satellite internet. Will VoIP work if I cancel BT phone line?
-> Response: VoIP over satellite isn’t recommended due to latency. Satellite internet may not be ideal for VoIP. See our article on VoIP over satellite.
#3 : Posted by Robert
Local calls only need local number code with VoIP?
-> Response: Yes, if you choose a VoIP plan with a local number or port your existing one. Many offer low-cost plans with 03 numbers (standard UK national rate).
#2 : Posted by Sean
Can I port my existing BT landline number to a VoIP provider?
-> Response: Yes, number porting to VoIP is generally simple from BT. Confirm with the VoIP provider. Test VoIP with a new number first, then port your old number once satisfied. Don’t cancel BT until porting is complete.
#1 : Posted by Pete
Which UK VoIP vendors offer a secondary UK number? Vonage and Broadvoice do – any others for home users?
-> Response: For home users, Vonage is a known option for secondary UK numbers. There might be others, but Vonage is a confirmed provider for this. US providers often offer UK virtual numbers as add-ons if you’re US-based.
