On this page
What we check
- The sums, the VAT and the amount due.
- Price rises: since 17 January 2025, rises in new home phone contracts must be set out in pounds and pence (Ofcom).
- Whether you're out of contract and should have been told (Ofcom).
- Compensation when your landline is down, an engineer misses an appointment or a new line starts late.
Landline-only customers with BT
After an Ofcom review, BT cut line rental for landline-only customers by £7 a month from April 2018, and Ofcom monitors its prices. From 31 March 2026 BT landline-only customers get a £1 a month line rental rise for 12 months, with no rise to call plans. BT also has a £10 a month landline-only social tariff (Ofcom).
The move to digital landlines
Phone lines on the Openreach network must move to digital by 31 January 2027 (GOV.UK). Providers that signed the government's charter promise at least 60 days' notice, an alternative way to keep your service, and battery back-ups for customers who depend on their landline (GOV.UK). If you use telecare or a personal alarm, tell your provider. GOV.UK says back-up solutions should be free for customers at risk (GOV.UK).
Do you need the landline?
Line rental pays for the line, which on many networks also carries your broadband, so dropping calls doesn't always lower the bill (Ofcom). Ask your provider for a broadband-only price before you cancel.
Compensation for landline problems
| Problem | You get |
|---|---|
| Broadband or landline lost and not fixed after 2 full working days | £10.34 for each extra day |
| Engineer misses an appointment | £32.31 |
| New service starts late | £6.46 for each day late |
This covers broadband and landline with BT, EE, Hyperoptic, Plusnet, Sky, NOW Broadband, TalkTalk, Utility Warehouse, Virgin Media, Vodafone and Zen (Ofcom).
Frequently asked questions
Will I have to pay to move to a digital landline?
No general rule says the move is free. GOV.UK says back-up solutions should be free for customers at risk, and telecare users get free engineer visits and battery back-ups.
Does my phone still work in a power cut after going digital?
Not without a back-up. Providers in the charter give battery back-ups to customers who depend on their landline, so tell your provider if that is you.
Can I stop paying line rental if I only use broadband?
Not usually. Line rental often pays for the line your broadband uses. Ask for a broadband-only price before cancelling.
Is the check free?
Yes, always.