Virtual landline and handset

[Yellow Fang]

I moved home, and I got some interweb, but I do not have a landline. I have my mobile, but I think a landline would be handy. Then I thought it must be possible to get a phone to work with the wifi. Surely that technology exists. I ordered a VOIP (Voice over internet protocol) phone, but when it arrived, it had a lead to stick into a socket somewhere. I do not have any sockets on my internet receiver. Another problem is that I do not actually have a number. I do not know what number the house had before, but I presume it was with BT, and my internet provider is with someone else. Then I remembered Skype. I seemed to remember that worked over the internet and that you could have whatever type of number you wanted. You could get a New York number if you wanted. Now, I read Microsoft is putting Skype out to grass. I was not aware Microsoft owned them in the first place. When I googled Skype phone, a couple of adverts came up for virtual landlines. They looked quite promising and you could get a number, but it looks like they are apps for smartphones, so I would have to buy another smartphone just to act as a landline. I also looked up cordless wifi phones, and there seemed to be quite a collection of handsets from Currys and Amazon. However, I do not think they come with a number, and at least some of them seem to require their own hubs. I do not know why this is so difficult, or even why you have to pay anything more than for the handset. The bandwidth is negligible.

 

[Electric_Andy]

See if your ISP does landline packages? Also, why do you want a landline? My parents have just moved house and got internet, landline and 2 x SIMs with the same provider. They haven't used the landline once yet. in their old house, lots of people used to call their landline because their reception was dodgy, but if that's not an issue then I struggle to understand why you want a landline? It could just be me living for the last 18 years without one and I've forgotten what they were good for

 

[presta]

I ordered a VOIP (Voice over internet protocol) phone, but when it arrived, it had a lead to stick into a socket somewhere.

You don't need that, all you need is an internet connection with a phone provision, and your ordinary phones plug into the router. Some ISPs do it (eg: Gigaclear & BT), others don't (eg: Plusnet). If you want permanent number withhold you need to check that too: some offer it, others don't. Having the phone added to a fibre broadband typically adds about £3-5 per month rental plus calls.

I bought a Huawei 4G mobile phone router which has a phone socket on it in the expectation of using that instead, but....
If I make an outgoing call, it automatically switches to 3G, which is due to be scrapped anytime now. If there's an incoming call, you have to switch the router to 3G manually first , or it won't receive it at all, and even then the ringer doesn't work, so you'll miss the call unless you spot the flashing red light on the phone. The audio quality on it is also atrocious, so safe to say, I've stuck with my landline for now.

Whatever you use, if you've got no copper landline you're dependent on mains and battery backup, because all the options need local power.

I struggle to understand why you want a landline?

In the days of copper lines, the main reason was security of service in the event of a power cut because the PSTN is backed up with batteries & generators, but that's all going anyway now.

 

[SteveH80]

The obvious answer is a landline through your broadband provider, they will provide or port a number over.
Another option is what I've just done for my Dad (age 92, doesn't do technology, TV on freeview, he just needs his landline).
We've used Simple Telecoms. You get a small router with a mobile phone SIM card in it, plug his old landline phone in the back of the router and he's good to go. The clever bit is that Simple Telecoms port your old landline over onto the SIM.
If you're not looking to port a number or use your broadband any GSM desk phone will take a SIM card albeit with a mobile number.
You can get a mobile SIM for £5/month which might be cheaper than your broadband people will charge you.

 

[Yellow Fang]

See if your ISP does landline packages? Also, why do you want a landline? My parents have just moved house and got internet, landline and 2 x SIMs with the same provider. They haven't used the landline once yet. in their old house, lots of people used to call their landline because their reception was dodgy, but if that's not an issue then I struggle to understand why you want a landline? It could just be me living for the last 18 years without one and I've forgotten what they were good for

Sometimes I have to charge my phone. Other times my little boy is playing on it, which he probably shouldn't.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

There was a bonkers deal on HotUKdeals yesterday that I didn't see until minutes before it ended...

Three 80GB, unlimited calls, unlimited texts for £10pcm on 12 month contract.

Topcashback were doing £120 cashback specifically on that deal.

 

[BoldonLad]

There was a bonkers deal on HotUKdeals yesterday that I didn't see until minutes before it ended...

Three 80GB, unlimited calls, unlimited texts for £10pcm on 12 month contract.

Topcashback were doing £120 cashback specifically on that deal.

Saw a ASDA mobile special offer yesterday, valid until 31 March 2026, £10/month 100gb, unlimited minutes and texts, 12 month contract.

 

[Alex321]

You don't need that, all you need is an internet connection with a phone provision, and your ordinary phones plug into the router.

Most ordinary phones don't just "plug in" to most broadband routers. You will need an adapter if you don't have (or get) a VOIP phone.

That is what we will be doing later in the year when we are "upgraded" to full fibre (whether we want it or not).

In the days of copper lines, the main reason was security of service in the event of a power cut because the PSTN is backed up with batteries & generators, but that's all going anyway now.

In our case, mobile reception is very poor, plus there is the simple fact that most f our friends and relations have our landline number and usually phone on that. We will be going with a provider that allows us to keep our existing number.

The obvious answer is a landline through your broadband provider, they will provide or port a number over.

Not all broadband providers offer that option. We are with Plusnet, and they are one of the ones who don't.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I do not have any sockets on my internet receiver.

Don't you have a socket at a wall?
They have 2 inputs, one is for the router, the other for the VOIP phone.
The only provider I know of that don't have a phone input in their socket (if you only order the broadband) is Virgin.

Another problem is that I do not actually have a number

The VOIP line will have a number assigned, just phone your mobile to find out the number.

Sometimes I have to charge my phone.

It still works while attached to the charger
I haven't had a landline for at least 18 years.
Before we got a local phone mast that improved mobile phone signal significantly, I just used What'sApp for calls.
Now, of course, the mobile hooks up to the broadband (Wi-Fi call) if it can't find a signal.