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The Money-Saving Guide to Landline and Broadband Deals for Pensioners (2025)

The Money-Saving Guide to Landline and Broadband Deals for Pensioners (2025)
 

Do you need affordable internet and phone deals? You can get landline and broadband deals for pensioners from just £12.50 monthly.

Social tariff packages cost much less than regular broadband – typically £10 to £23 per month. These special deals are designed for people on low incomes, including those receiving Pension Credit.

Virgin Media’s Essential Broadband package costs only £12.50 monthly with 15 Mbps speed and no setup fees. BT offers great options too – their Home Essentials plan gives you 67 Mbps for £20, or try their ‘No Income’ plan with 36 Mbps speeds for £15. Sky’s social tariff is £20 monthly for 36 Mbps.

Want basic internet for emails? Or faster speeds for video calls with family? There are affordable options that fit your needs.

We’ll show you how to find the best deals, understand what you need, and save money on your phone and internet services.

What do you actually need?

Internet access has become essential, especially for older adults. Before you explore landline and broadband deals for pensioners, let’s work out exactly what you need.

Why broadband matters for you – Landline and Broadband Deals for Pensioners

Broadband serves as a lifeline for many pensioners today. Nearly half (48%) of older people in England on low incomes have struggled to keep up with broadband bills in the last six months. This shows just how important this service has become.

For many older adults, broadband offers much more than entertainment – it gives you independence. Research shows 62% of pensioners believe digital technology helps them stay independent. When meeting in person is hard, 8.8 million older people see the internet as their important link to the outside world.

How pensioners use the internet

You might be surprised at how many ways pensioners use the internet to improve their daily lives:

  • Stay connected: 68% of UK pensioners say phone calls, texts, and video calls help them feel less lonely
  • Handle daily tasks: 82% message friends and family, 55% follow current affairs, and 42% shop online
  • Access healthcare: Many book online GP appointments and use health services
  • Entertainment: Streaming services, online games, and virtual tours keep your mind active

However, digital inclusion is still a problem. In the UK, 25% of people who are 65 and older do not use the internet at all.

Choosing landline, broadband, or both?

Modern digital landlines now use internet connections to make phone calls. This gives you better call quality and extra features like scam protection. You’ll need an internet connection to use the new digital landline system.

Browse websites and check emails occasionally? A basic broadband package (around 20Mbps) should work fine. Enjoy streaming or video calling with family? You might want faster speeds of 40-67Mbps.

Consider your situation before choosing any package. Live somewhere with poor mobile signal or don’t own a mobile phone? Your phone provider should give you a free “resilience solution” so you can make emergency calls when there is no power.

Choose the right Landline and Broadband Deals for Pensioners

Get value from your broadband and phone service. We’ll help you find the perfect balance of features and price.

What broadband speed do you need?

How will you use the internet? That’s the first question to ask.

For basic activities like browsing websites and checking emails, a standard connection of around 10-30Mbps works well. Want to stream videos or make video calls with family? You might need faster speeds:

  • Basic usage (10-30Mbps): Email, light browsing, occasional video calls
  • Moderate usage (30-100Mbps): Video calls, social media, or two people using the internet at the same time
  • Heavy usage (100Mbps+): Multiple users, 4K streaming, or competitive gaming

More devices connected at once? You’ll need faster speeds.

Contract lengths and setup costs with Landline and Broadband Deals for Pensioners

Contract lengths typically range from 12 to 24 months. Longer contracts often mean lower monthly payments – helpful when you’re on a tight budget. Some providers offer 30-day contracts for flexibility, though these cost more per month.

Check for setup costs and installation requirements. Some packages have zero setup fees, others charge for installation. You might need an engineer to install it. This could slow down your connection.

Call plans and TV bundles

Many broadband packages include landline phone service in the total cost. Common call plans:

  • Pay As You Talk: You only pay for calls made
  • Anytime: Unlimited UK landline calls
  • Anytime Plus: Unlimited UK landline and mobile calls

Want to watch TV? Broadband with TV bundles can give better value. Combined packages are often cheaper than paying for services separately.

Check what’s available in your area

Start with a broadband postcode checker to see which providers and speeds are available where you live. Enter your postcode and select your address to view available deals. This saves you time researching options that aren’t available in your area.

Ready to compare deals?

Best broadband providers for pensioners

We’ve found the top providers offering special deals for pensioners. Here’s what each one provides and how to choose.

BT Landline and Broadband Deals for Pensioners

BT phone and broadband deals for pensioners offers BT Home Essentials. This is available if you receive Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit). 

You get fibre broadband with 67 Mbps speed for £20 monthly on a 12-month contract with no early termination fees. If you want just a landline, they include call-only plans too.

Virgin Media deals for pensioners

Virgin Media offers two options. Their Essential Broadband starts at £12.50 monthly with 15 Mbps speed, while Essential Broadband Plus gives you 54 Mbps for £20. Both come with flexible 30-day rolling contracts and free setup.

Sky, Vodafone and more Landline and Broadband Deals for Pensioners

Sky Broadband Basics costs £20 monthly for 24 months, with Full Fibre or Superfast connections depending on your area. Vodafone Essentials provides 73 Mbps speed for £20 monthly with no setup fee.

Compare deals the smart way

Check customer service ratings first – PlusNet, Virgin Media, and Sky typically rank highest. Then match speeds to your needs and compare contract lengths, setup costs, and extras like TV bundles.

Which matters most to you? Price, speed, or flexibility?

What happens when you sign up

Once you pick a provider, you will get a confirmation. You may also need to set up a visit from an engineer. Some providers offer free installation. Your router arrives by mail or with a technician, who’ll help position it for the best coverage.

We make sure you know exactly what to expect before you commit.

Save more money with social tariffs and bundles

Social tariffs save you serious money. These deals can save eligible customers around £250 annually. Are you ready to cut your bills?

What are social tariffs and who gets them

Social tariffs are special discounted broadband deals for people on low incomes. These plans cost £10-£23 monthly. Unlike regular packages, social tariffs don’t have price increases or exit fees.

You qualify if you receive means-tested benefits like Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit). Some providers also accept Personal Independence Payment.

Cheapest deals available right now for Landline and Broadband Deals for Pensioners

Here’s what you can get:

  • Community Fibre Essential: £12.50 monthly (35Mbps)
  • BT Home Essentials ‘No Income’: £16 monthly (36Mbps)
  • NOW Broadband Basics: £20 monthly (36Mbps) – 43% cheaper than standard rates

Apply now – it’s simple

Most major providers offer instant checks to see if you qualify. Reach out to your provider directly or apply online by showing proof of your benefits.

Bundle services for better value

If you want to save even more, combine your services.

Virgin Media offers their Stream TV service to Essential Broadband Plus customers. BT includes unlimited UK calls with their Home Essentials package. Combining services gives you significant savings.

No nasty surprises

Social tariffs don’t increase mid-contract. No hidden price hikes.

Check for installation fees though – providers like Virgin Media offer free setup. Always ask about setup costs before you sign up.

You’re ready to get connected

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Finding the cheapest broadband for pensioners doesn’t have to be complicated. You now know your options, from as little as £12.50 monthly with social tariffs to faster packages for video calls.

We’ve shown you the key providers and their best deals. BT, Virgin Media, and Sky all offer special packages for pensioners receiving benefits. These deals save you money and often include flexible contracts with free setup.

Check what’s available in your area first. Then compare speeds against what you actually need – basic browsing needs less than streaming or video calls with family.

Social tariffs offer the biggest savings. You could save around £250 annually compared to standard packages. Even better, they don’t usually increase prices mid-contract like regular deals do.

Bundling services can give you better value. Combine broadband with phone or TV packages when it makes sense for your needs.

Ready to get connected? Check your eligibility for social tariffs and compare the deals we’ve outlined. Don’t hesitate to ask providers about pensioner-specific offers.

You deserve affordable internet that keeps you connected to family, helps with daily tasks, and gives you independence. The right deal is out there – one that fits your budget without compromising on what you need.

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