The way we communicate is changing, and the choice between Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and traditional landlines has never been more critical. As businesses and households prepare for the UK’s ongoing digital transformation, understanding your options is vital. This blog explores the key differences between VoIP and landlines, practical broadband solutions for rural areas, and why now is the perfect time to make the switch.
VoIP allows you to make phone calls using an internet connection rather than traditional copper wires. Calls are transmitted as digital data packets, allowing for cost-effective and feature-rich communication. Unlike traditional phone systems, VoIP enables businesses to customise their communication setup with advanced features.
Traditional landlines rely on analogue signals transmitted through a copper wire network. While they have been the backbone of communication for over a century, they are increasingly outdated. The UK’s Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is set to be retired by 31 January 2027, making the move to digital systems like VoIP a necessity.
VoIP offers a range of advantages that make it a compelling choice for businesses and homes:
VoIP services generally cost less than traditional landlines, especially for long-distance and international calls. There’s also no need for expensive hardware, as VoIP works over your existing internet connection.
VoIP systems like Plexatalk go beyond basic voice communication, offering tools that boost efficiency and improve customer service. These include:
VoIP allows you to work from anywhere with an internet connection, making it perfect for remote and hybrid working environments.
With the PSTN switch-off approaching, VoIP ensures your communication systems are ready for the future, avoiding the risks of outdated technology.
One of the biggest concerns about VoIP is reliability during internet or power outages. However, these challenges can be mitigated with modern solutions:
With these measures in place, VoIP can match or even exceed the reliability of traditional landlines.
A reliable internet connection is crucial for VoIP. For rural areas where traditional broadband may be limited, there are excellent alternatives:
These options make VoIP viable even in locations where traditional broadband services fall short.
Although the PSTN switch-off has been extended to 2027, delaying your transition to VoIP could leave you vulnerable to disruptions. Moving to VoIP now lets you enjoy lower costs, advanced features, and greater flexibility, giving you a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
At Plexatalk, we specialise in VoIP solutions that are tailored to meet the needs of UK businesses and homes. With a focus on reliability and functionality, our services include:
Our VoIP systems are designed to be easy to use, scalable, and cost-effective, ensuring you’re ready for the future of communication.
Explore our competitive pricing and packages at /pricing/.
For most UK businesses and homes, VoIP is the smarter choice. With its cost savings, advanced features, and adaptability, it offers a clear path forward in an increasingly digital world. Coupled with backup options like 5G, satellite internet, and UPS systems, VoIP can provide reliable, uninterrupted communication that matches or surpasses traditional landlines.
The future of communication is digital—don’t wait until 2027. Contact Plexatalk today to discuss how our VoIP solutions can transform the way you communicate and future-proof your business.
How To Keep Caller ID in your EPOS with VoIP – With the rise of Voice over IP (VoIP) as a cost-effective, flexible solution for phone services, many businesses are making the switch from traditional phone lines. However, for shops, restaurants, takeaways, hotels, and other customer-facing businesses, this transition often comes with an unexpected downside—loss of Caller ID integration in their EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) or booking systems. Many of these systems rely on 56K USB or serial modems to capture Caller ID data, but these modems typically don’t work with digital VoIP systems.
We’ve been researching this issue in-depth and have been in touch with a company that has developed a custom solution designed to restore Caller ID functionality in VoIP environments without requiring costly software upgrades. In this post, we’ll cover why Caller ID stops working after switching to VoIP, and how this solution can bring Caller ID back to your existing EPOS or booking system for a range of applications, including hotel booking software, takeaway EPOS systems, kebab shop EPOS software, and more.
Traditional Caller ID systems in EPOS and booking software rely on analogue technology to detect and decode Caller ID data from landline signals. Here’s a quick look at how these systems operate:
In a VoIP setup, however, calls are transmitted digitally rather than in analogue format. While VoIP systems do carry Caller ID information, it’s in a digital format that is incompatible with 56K USB or serial modems, which are designed to decode analogue signals. This results in the loss of Caller ID integration for businesses that have switched to VoIP.
For businesses that rely on Caller ID integration with their EPOS or booking systems, losing this functionality can be disruptive. Some providers may recommend expensive software updates or full system replacements to make your setup compatible with VoIP-based Caller ID. However, these solutions are often prohibitively costly, and they may still not work seamlessly with existing systems.
After extensive research, we’ve identified a practical solution. We’ve partnered with a company that specialises in custom Caller ID integration for VoIP setups, and they’ve developed a device that can bridge the gap between your VoIP line and traditional Caller ID modems. This device captures Caller ID data from VoIP calls, converts it into a format that’s compatible with 56K or serial modems, and allows you to maintain Caller ID functionality with your existing EPOS or booking system.
This custom solution is designed to integrate seamlessly with a variety of EPOS and booking systems, including those used in hotels, takeaways, kebab shops, restaurants, and other retail businesses. Here’s an overview of how it works:
This solution is compatible with many popular EPOS and booking systems used in different types of businesses, including hotel booking software, takeaway shop EPOS systems, kebab shop software, and general retail EPOS systems.
Here’s why this custom Caller ID solution is ideal for businesses looking to maintain Caller ID functionality after switching to VoIP:
If your business has switched to VoIP and lost Caller ID functionality, we’re here to help you restore it. This custom solution allows you to enjoy the advantages of modern VoIP phone services while maintaining essential Caller ID integration with your EPOS or booking system. We’ve already helped many businesses—whether it’s hotel booking software, takeaway EPOS systems, or general retail setups—restore this function, and we’d be happy to assist you in getting Caller ID back on track.
Switching to VoIP doesn’t mean you have to lose Caller ID. Contact us today to discuss how our solution can bring Caller ID back to your EPOS system, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition to VoIP without disrupting your business operations.
Switching to VoIP can disrupt Caller ID functionality for businesses that rely on it in their EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) and booking systems. Below, we’ve compiled some frequently asked questions about keeping Caller ID in your EPOS with VoIP and how our custom solution can help.
The adapter that connects betwen the phone like and PC is called a 56k modem.
Traditional 56K modems rely on analogue phone signals to decode Caller ID information. Since VoIP systems transmit data digitally, these modems can no longer detect Caller ID, as they were never designed for digital VoIP lines. To keep Caller ID in your EPOS with VoIP, you’ll need an alternative solution—such as our custom Caller ID adapter—to restore this functionality without a costly EPOS software upgrade.
Yes, there is an alternative to a 56K modem for VoIP. We’ve partnered with a company that has developed a specialised Caller ID adapter for VoIP, designed to bridge the gap between digital VoIP lines and analogue EPOS systems. This adapter captures the Caller ID data from the VoIP stream, converts it to an analogue format compatible with your EPOS system, and restores Caller ID display. This solution works with many systems, including those used in hotels, takeaways, retail shops, and restaurants.
To fix your EPOS system so it shows Caller ID after switching to VoIP, you’ll need a device that makes the digital VoIP Caller ID compatible with your existing setup. Our custom solution involves a specialised adapter that extracts the Caller ID data from VoIP calls and converts it into a format that can be read by your EPOS system. This allows you to keep Caller ID in your EPOS with VoIP without a costly overhaul or upgrade.
The easiest way to keep Caller ID in your EPOS with VoIP is to use a specialised Caller ID adapter, like the one we’ve identified through our research. This adapter captures the Caller ID from VoIP calls and translates it into a format that traditional EPOS systems can read. Unlike an EPOS software upgrade, which can be costly and time-consuming, this adapter provides a cost-effective and seamless solution that doesn’t disrupt your operations.
Our custom Caller ID adapter is designed to work with a wide variety of EPOS systems, including those used by hotels, restaurants, takeaways, retail shops, and more. If you’re using hotel booking software, kebab shop EPOS software, general retail EPOS software, or takeaway booking systems, this adapter should be compatible and restore Caller ID functionality.
When businesses switch to VoIP, their phone system becomes digital. Traditional 56K USB or serial modems used for Caller ID detection rely on analogue signals, which are no longer present in a VoIP setup. VoIP transmits calls over the internet as data packets, and without a specialised adapter, the EPOS system can’t detect the Caller ID data. This is why it’s essential to have a VoIP-compatible Caller ID solution to keep Caller ID in your EPOS with VoIP.
Setting up the Caller ID adapter is straightforward and designed to minimise disruption. Once connected, the adapter captures Caller ID data from VoIP calls and sends it to your EPOS as if it were from a traditional phone line, restoring functionality. This solution is compatible with many popular EPOS systems used in various business sectors, including hotel booking, takeaway, and retail systems.
Looking at how to keep your landline when switching to fttp / fibre broadband? You’ve come to the right place!
Switching to fibre broadband is an excellent way to enjoy faster, more reliable internet. But if you rely on your landline, either for convenience or as a backup, you may be wondering whether it’s possible to keep your landline when moving to fibre. The answer is yes! Thanks to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), you can retain your landline number even when upgrading to fibre broadband.
With the traditional copper-based landline network set to be phased out in January 2027, now is a great time to make the switch to fibre and set up VoIP. In this guide, we’ll explain how you can keep your landline number when moving to fibre broadband, the benefits of FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) over FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet), and why VoIP is the solution for a seamless transition.
When considering a switch to fibre broadband, it’s important to understand the difference between two main types of fibre technology:
By switching to FTTP, you’re ensuring that your home is equipped with the best possible broadband infrastructure, providing stable, fast, and future-ready internet for years to come.
Switching to FTTP brings many benefits beyond just higher speeds. Here’s why it’s worth considering a full-fibre setup:
Switching to FTTP isn’t just about better speeds—it’s a proactive way to ensure your internet remains reliable and capable of handling future technology.
One of the biggest concerns people have when moving to fibre broadband is whether they can keep their existing landline number. Since FTTP doesn’t use traditional copper phone lines, you’ll need to move your landline to a digital service known as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) to keep it. Here’s how VoIP can help you seamlessly transition to fibre broadband without losing your landline.
VoIP is a digital phone service that allows you to make and receive calls over your internet connection rather than through a traditional phone line. This technology offers numerous advantages:
Setting up VoIP is straightforward, and many providers offer hassle-free options for porting your current landline number to VoIP. Here’s how to get started:
There are many VoIP providers on the market, but selecting the right one is crucial to a smooth experience. Here’s why Plexatalk is a great choice:
Plexatalk’s services are ideal for those looking for an affordable, reliable, and UK-based VoIP provider that serves both residential and business users.
Making the switch to fibre broadband with VoIP offers several additional benefits:
The national landline switch-off is scheduled for January 2027. By then, the UK’s traditional copper network will be fully retired, and all landline users will need to have switched to VoIP if they want to keep their landline number.
This transition is part of a broader shift toward digital technology that will allow for faster, more reliable, and future-proof communications. By setting up VoIP now, you’re ahead of the game and well-prepared for 2027. VoIP allows you to retain your current landline number and use it seamlessly over your new fibre connection.
If you’re wondering how keep your landline and switch to FTTP, at Plexatalk we can help you (or your business if you’re a business owner) switch over to VoIP. It’s a straightforward process, get in touch today for more infromation.
Yes, you can keep using your existing landline phone with a VoIP adapter. The adapter will enable your phone to make and receive calls over your fibre broadband connection.
Yes! Most VoIP providers, including Plexatalk, allow you to port your existing landline number over to VoIP at no extra cost.
Because your landline number is no longer attached to your broadband provider, you can go wherever you like without fear of losing your number or the stress of porting.
Traditional landlines often work during power outages, but VoIP does not. For emergency access, consider a mobile phone backup or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for short-term outages. There is also the option to setup your landline to go to your mobile or VoIP apps which can work over data.
Generally no, as long as you’re getting about 1Mbps that will be enough to sustain one concurrent VoIP call.
Yes, VoIP allows you to forward calls to your mobile, ensuring you’re reachable even when away from home.
Upgrading to fibre broadband and setting up VoIP isn’t just about faster speeds—it’s about preparing for a future where all communications are digital. With the 2027 landline switch-off on the horizon, transitioning to VoIP with a provider like Plexatalk ensures you can switch to fibre broadband and keep your landline without any inconvenience.
VoIP provides the flexibility and reliability of a traditional landline but with the enhanced features and clarity of digital service. Ready to make the switch? Get a quote from Plexatalk today and future-proof your home or business with fibre broadband and VoIP.
In today’s business world, having a versatile phone number is crucial for effective communication. 0333 numbers are a popular choice due to their non-geographic nature and cost-effectiveness. If you’ve been wondering, “How much to call an 0333 number?” this guide will provide you with all the details you need to understand the costs involved.
0333 numbers belong to the 03 series in the UK, which was introduced to provide businesses with a flexible alternative to traditional geographic phone numbers. These numbers are not tied to a specific location, making them ideal for companies with a national reach. They are similar to 01 and 02 numbers in that they are not free to call but offer predictable and reasonable charges.
When dialing an 0333 number from your mobile phone, the cost is aligned with the rates for calling standard landline numbers, such as those starting with 01 or 02. This means:
For calls made from a landline, the costs are as follows:
0333 numbers offer several advantages, making them a popular choice for businesses:
At Plexatalk, we offer a range of 0333 numbers tailored to suit your business needs. Whether you’re looking to acquire a new number or port an existing one, our team can provide expert guidance and support. We understand that the world of business telephony can be complex, and we’re here to help simplify it for you.
Interested in learning more? Contact us today to explore your options and find the best 0333 number solution for your business. Feel free to reach out at 0345 0178 179 or email us at info@plexatalk.co.uk.