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Broadband, the 2027 landline switch, Digital Voice and bills—explained properly.

Practical UK telecom guides written in plain English. Understand broadband deals, switching, full fibre, the move from old landlines to digital voice and the choices that matter before you order.

40 guides available. Authority articles show their review date and supporting sources.

0117 guides

Broadband basics

Broadband basics

What is FTTP broadband?

FTTP (Fibre-to-the-Premises) is a full-fibre broadband connection that runs a fibre-optic cable all the way into your home. It's faster, more reliable, and future-proof compared to older copper-based FTTC.Read

Broadband basics

How much broadband speed do I actually need?

For a typical UK household of 2–4 people with streaming, video calls and normal browsing, 50–100Mbps is plenty. Bigger households, 4K streaming or heavy gaming benefit from 300Mbps+.Read

Broadband basics

10 fixes for slow broadband

Slow broadband is usually a Wi-Fi problem, not a line problem. Move the router, switch channel, use 5GHz or Ethernet, and reboot before assuming your line is at fault.Read

Broadband basics

Wi-Fi vs broadband: what's the difference?

Broadband is the connection from your home to the internet. Wi-Fi is how devices in your home talk to your router. Slow Wi-Fi doesn't mean slow broadband — and vice versa.Read

Broadband basics

Small business broadband: what should you compare?

Choose business broadband by matching the connection to the work it must support. Compare busy-time download and upload speeds, reliability, support, resilience, contract terms and any need for a static IP—not just the headline Mbps.Read

Broadband basics

What is a static IP address, and does your business need one?

A static public IP is an internet-facing address that normally stays the same. It can help with allow-listing, selected VPN or hosted-service designs, but most small businesses do not need one and it does not make a connection secure on its own.Read

Broadband basics

Business broadband backup: how to stay operational during an outage

A useful backup connection must be independent enough, sized for essential work and tested regularly. Decide what must keep running, choose mobile or fixed failover, document the switch process and confirm staff can operate with reduced capacity.Read

Broadband basics

Is full-fibre broadband right for your small business?

FTTP runs fibre to the premises instead of relying on the final copper section used by FTTC. It can provide higher capacity and more consistent line performance, but the right product still depends on upload needs, support, resilience and availability at the exact address.Read

Broadband basics

FTTP installation: what happens and how should you prepare?

An engineer normally brings fibre from the external network to a small Optical Network Terminal inside the property, then connects the router. Prepare access, power and an agreed equipment position; most straightforward Openreach installations take about two to four hours.Read

Broadband basics

What is an ONT on a full-fibre connection?

An ONT, or Optical Network Terminal, is the powered box inside an FTTP property that converts the fibre signal into an Ethernet connection for the router. It is part of the access connection and should normally remain powered and connected.Read

Broadband basics

Upload speed explained: why it matters and how much you need

Upload speed controls how quickly your connection sends data. It matters for video calls, cloud backups, large file transfers, live streaming, remote CCTV and hosted services. Compare the estimated upload figure—not only the advertised download speed.Read

Broadband basics

Broadband for pensioners and older people: what actually matters?

The best broadband for an older customer is not automatically the fastest package. Prioritise a sensible monthly cost, simple equipment, reliable support, the right contract terms, any home-phone requirement and extra help where the customer is vulnerable or uses telecare.Read

Broadband basics

Broadband social tariffs and Pension Credit: what to check

Social tariffs are lower-cost broadband or phone packages for eligible households receiving certain benefits. Ofcom says major providers include Pension Credit, and current social tariffs generally have low prices, small setup costs and no exit fee, but the exact provider and eligibility rules must be checked.Read

Broadband basics

Broadband deals UK: how to compare the deal, not just the advert

A good broadband deal combines the right speed, a fair total cost and terms that fit your household. Compare the monthly price, minimum term, setup and router costs, future price changes, estimated speeds and exit conditions before deciding.Read

Broadband basics

Fibre broadband deals: compare the technology before the price

Before comparing fibre broadband deals, check whether the address can receive full-fibre FTTP or a copper-based fibre product such as FTTC/SOGEA. Then compare estimated speed, upload performance, installation, equipment and the total contract cost.Read

Broadband basics

Broadband comparison checklist: 10 things to compare before you switch

Compare broadband on the exact address, estimated download and upload speed, total cost, contract length, price changes, setup and router charges, home-phone needs, installation, support and exit terms. That makes very different offers genuinely comparable.Read

Broadband basics

Broadband speed test: how to test properly and understand the result

For the clearest broadband test, connect one capable device to the router by Ethernet, pause large downloads and tests on other devices, then record download, upload and latency. Compare that with a Wi-Fi test to see whether the bottleneck is the broadband line or the wireless network.Read

022 guides

Routers & Wi-Fi

Routers & Wi-Fi

Router buying guide 2026

For most UK homes, look for a dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router with at least four gigabit Ethernet ports. Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 are only worth it if you have devices that support them.Read

Routers & Wi-Fi

Mesh Wi-Fi: the guide

Mesh Wi-Fi uses multiple nodes to blanket a house in a single seamless network. It's the best option for larger homes or houses with thick walls — much better than extenders.Read

037 guides

Switching & contracts

Switching & contracts

How to switch broadband in the UK

Sign up with your new provider. They'll trigger the One Touch Switch process, notify your old provider, and coordinate the changeover. You don't need to call anyone — it's handled automatically.Read

Switching & contracts

Leaving BT Broadband

Where One Touch Switch applies, you normally contact the gaining provider rather than separately cancelling the service being switched. Your existing provider supplies the required switching information, including any applicable leaving charges.Read

Switching & contracts

Leaving Sky Broadband

Sign up with a new Openreach provider — they'll trigger One Touch Switch and cancel Sky for you. Sky TV is separate and continues unaffected.Read

Switching & contracts

Leaving Virgin Media

Where One Touch Switch applies, the gaining provider normally coordinates the switch even when the access network changes. Check the switching information for your actual services, number-porting position and any charges before relying on a date.Read

Switching & contracts

Leaving TalkTalk

Sign up with a new provider — they trigger One Touch Switch and cancel TalkTalk for you. If you're outside your minimum term there's no remaining-month early termination charge on Flex 30.Read

Switching & contracts

Mid-contract price rises: what you need to know

Scheduled price changes vary by provider and tariff. For new telecom contracts, any scheduled rise must be made clear in pounds and pence before sign-up rather than being expressed only by reference to future inflation. OCCTA broadband contract version 2026.10.1 has no scheduled CPI-, RPI-, inflation-linked or percentage-based rise.Read

Switching & contracts

One Touch Switch: how switching broadband now works

For eligible residential broadband and landline switches, you normally contact the new provider and they arrange the switch. Your current provider then sends important information such as contract implications, while the providers coordinate the transfer.Read

043 guides

SIM & mobile

eSIM vs physical SIM

An eSIM is a digital SIM that lives inside your phone — no plastic card. It activates in minutes over Wi-Fi and can be swapped without waiting for post. Physical SIMs still work everywhere.Read

Best SIM-only deals UK 2026

The best SIM-only deals are rolling monthly, include enough data for your usage without huge overage costs, and don't sting you for EU roaming. OCCTA plans start from £8/mo.Read

What is Wi-Fi Calling and when should you use it?

Wi-Fi Calling lets a compatible phone and mobile service carry normal calls and texts through a Wi-Fi internet connection when mobile signal is weak. It usually uses the phone's normal dialler and number, but support and charging rules depend on the network and plan.Read

058 guides

Digital Voice

Digital Voice and the PSTN switch-off explained

The old copper telephone network (PSTN) is being switched off by 2027. Home phones now run over broadband — same number, same handset in most cases, just a different socket.Read

Keeping your landline number

Your landline number is yours. Give it to OCCTA when you sign up and we'll port it over as part of the switch — subject to the donating provider and porting process; a short interruption can occur.Read

UK landline switch-off 2027: what you need to do before January

The old Public Switched Telephone Network is due to retire on 31 January 2027. Most home-phone users will move to a digital voice service that uses broadband, so now is the time to check your phone, number, telecare equipment and power-cut needs.Read

What happens to my landline in 2027?

Your home phone does not have to disappear when the old phone network retires. The main change is that calls move from the analogue PSTN to a digital voice service, usually through your broadband router or other provider-supplied equipment.Read

Will a digital landline work during a power cut?

Usually not without backup power. Digital voice depends on powered equipment such as a router and, for full fibre, an ONT. If you rely on the landline for emergency calls and have no reliable alternative, tell your provider before migration.Read

Telecare, personal alarms and the digital landline switch

If a personal alarm or telecare device uses your old phone line, do not migrate it by assumption. Tell both providers and confirm that the alarm has a compatible, functioning solution before the analogue service is removed.Read

Can I keep my landline number after the digital switch?

Often, yes. Moving from an analogue landline to digital voice does not automatically require a new number, but number transfer depends on the specific service and order. Make number retention a requirement before the switch starts.Read

Helping Mum, Dad or a relative with the digital landline switch

Start with the person's real needs, not the technology. Check whether they use only the phone or also broadband, whether they have telecare, whether they need their existing number and how they would contact emergency services in a power cut.Read

063 guides

Billing & payments

Billing & payments

Direct Debit: how it works

Direct Debit lets a company collect a variable amount from your bank account automatically. You're protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee — any error is refunded immediately by your bank.Read

Billing & payments

The Direct Debit Guarantee

The Direct Debit Guarantee is a legally-backed protection: if any Direct Debit is taken in error, your bank must give you an immediate refund. It's the strongest consumer protection on any UK payment method.Read

Billing & payments

How to pay your broadband bill

Direct Debit is an automated payment method protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee. Whether it is cheaper than card or another method depends on the provider’s current charges; OCCTA shows any payment-related charge in the accepted terms or invoice.Read

07Your move

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