If you’re planning on staying in the United Kingdom for more than a few months, it’s worth considering whether you’ll need a fixed telephone line (also called a landline). It’s usually considerably cheaper to make calls from a landline than from a mobile phone.
Landlines
To get a fixed telephone line, you’ll need to consider several things. First, find out if there is a telephone line installed in your home. Most used properties in the UK already have a line installed, and you will simply have to pay a connection fee to get the landline working. This will, however, commit you to the fixed-line provider. It is worth talking to the people who are vacating the property you intend to move into and agree that the telephone line is transferred to your name – this can save you some quite large connection fees if the people moving out stop the line and you have to get it reconnected.
If there is not a landline installed in your home, there are 4 main companies that can install one. These companies are also the main providers of fixed-line services, although there are numerous deals and special offers out there, so it’s worth comparing several providers until you find the one you are happy with. For example, many telephone line providers now also provide internet connections as part of the same deal. So if you plan on having a fixed landline as well as an internet connection in your home, have a look at companies that will provide both as part of the same package.
Service Providers
Depending on the service provider you choose, you will have to pay a connection fee, line rental and for all the calls you make from your landline. Line rental is a monthly charge you pay to the provider of your telephone line. It can be anything from free to around £20 per month.
Have a look at the "Find a..." tab for a selection of providers
If there is a phone line already installed in your home, but you do not wish to commit to the fixed-line provider, there is a way around this. Many companies offer landline services indirectly by re-routing your calls through a cheaper provider. All your phone bills will come from your indirect provider, rather than your telephone line provider. You will have to dial a pre-fix code each time you make a call (or install an automated machine to do this), but could substantially reduce your phone bills.
The amount you save will depend on the types of calls you make (local, national, international) and how frequently you call mobile phones from your landline. For example, if you are likely to make a lot of international calls then an indirect access company will almost certainly work out cheaper.
Directory/Ex-Directory
When you connect your phone line, you’ll be asked if you would like to be directory or ex-directory. Directory simply means that your name and phone number will be in telephone directories (such as Yellow Pages). This makes it easier for people to find out your number, but can also mean you have sales companies calling you. If you do not want your number to be in telephone directories, choose ex-directory.
The type of phone line you choose and your service provider will depend greatly on how often you intend to use your landline and what kind of calls you will be making. Before committing, it’s worth looking round for the deal that suits your needs best.
Other things to remember
Most private phone numbers in the UK start with a dialling code of 01, eg 01538, although some cities start with 020 – the most famous of which being London which is either 020 8000 0000 or 020 700 0000.
All numbers which start with the code 0800 are ‘freephone’ numbers. But do not call these from a mobile phone as it will then cost you the standard call price! There are other codes which are “non-geographic” e.g. 08457 000000. This means you can’t tell where the place is that you are calling and they are often call-centres that could be anywhere from Wales to India! There are some concerns that these telephone numbers can be very expensive for callers, so check the cost of your call to these numbers if you are worried.
Alternatives to land lines
Calling long distance may be best done by using the internet because you can do so for free, and you can chat for as long as you want to.
You can do this easily by using some well recognised providers, your computer and a headset (if you don’t have one you can buy these at electrical stores for less than £10). The person you are calling must also have the same software and a headset or microphone as well.
For a selection of providers, see our "Find a..." section.
By Jennie Musgrove and Matt Taylor
Communications 
