Dan Howdle | November 21st, 2023
As physical landlines slowly become extinct, with more and more of us relying on our mobiles for calls, it begs the question: What will happen to broadband which still relies on a physical phoneline to be connected to your home? Different providers are evolving their own answer to this question as time goes on. Sky's tack, as with other major providers, is somewhat unique.
But the answer isn't just a simple yes or no – this would be a very short guide if it was. It depends on the broadband deal you choose from Sky as to whether you must have a landline, or indeed if you can get one at all. And on those you must, do you even have to connect a phone to it? Allow us to explain.
Let's make one thing clear, first off. If you have a broadband package that's not so-called 'Full Fibre', you're going to need a phone line coming into your home. That's absolutely true of Sky, so if you're not living somewhere full fibre is available (and about three in four of us aren't) you will definitely be getting a phone line with your Sky Broadband.
Meanwhile, it's worth considering that while you need a landline for both ADSL and FTTC broadband packages, you don't need on for Sky FTTP. Here's what that means:
Here's an overview of how broadband-only works on Sky broadband:
Sky Package | Average Speed | Phone Line Required? | Phone Line Supplied? | Phone Line Available? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Superfast 35 | 36Mbps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Broadband Superfast | 61Mbps | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Full Fibre 100 | 61Mbps | No | Yes | Yes |
Ultrafast | 100Mbps | No | Yes | Yes |
Ultrafast Plus | 145Mbps | No | Yes | Yes |
Gigafast | 900Mbps | No | Yes | Yes |
If you look at the table above, there are a few things need explaining here. If you're getting a Sky Broadband package that's not Full Fibre – I.E. It's 61Mbps or slower, then yes, you will need to have a phone line in order to deliver that. As standard, Sky will deliver that on a 'pay as you go' calls basis. So, if you don't use it or better don't even plug a phone into it, then you won't be charged anything extra for that.
The story gets more interesting when you take out a Full Fibre deal with Sky – I.E. a broadband connection that's 100Mbps or faster. Because full fibre means a digital-only line, but Sky has a rather snazzy router that will convert that line to work with any landline phone you'd care to plug into it. What you get is VoIP – voice over IP – or a 'digital' line that works just like an analogue one (the type you're probably used to). You get your own phone number or to keep your old one, and this is great. Well done Sky!
As with an analogue line from Sky that comes with its FTTC broadband packages, you don't have to use it if you don't want to, and if you don't use it or don't plug a phone in, you won't be charged anything extra.
Line rental isn't something we need to worry about anymore. If you're getting a mandatory phone line with your FTTC or ADSL broadband deal, the price of the line is rolled into the price you see. If you're getting a Full Fibre (FTTP) packages, which uses a data-only fibre line, there is no line such thing as line rental either. The price of what used to be termed 'line rental' is rolled into the price you see in all cases.
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Yes, Sky Broadband packages typically include a landline as part of the service. However, specific details regarding inclusive calls or additional charges may vary based on the chosen package, as well as whether your line will be analogue or digital.
Sky landline rental charges are usually bundled within the broadband package cost. The exact cost may differ based on the selected Sky package and any additional calling features or plans added to the subscription.
Yes, it's possible to keep your existing landline number when switching to Sky Broadband. Sky can often facilitate the transfer of your current number, although there might be exceptions or certain situations where this may not be feasible.
Typically, landline connections require a phone socket on the wall. Sky routers also have ports to connect the phone line. Plug one end of the phone cable into the phone socket on the wall and the other end into the appropriate port on the Sky router marked for the landline.
Yes, any phone will work with a Sky router as long as it's compatible with a standard UK phone line connector (the type you'd typically see as a wall phone wall socket). You can plug your BT phone into the landline port on the Sky router using a suitable phone cable.