Combining unlimited data broadband with unrestricted phone calls creates the ultimate hassle-free home connectivity. No monitoring usage caps, no watching call minutes, no surprise overage charges – just straightforward internet and phone services working exactly when you need them.
Finding packages delivering genuine unlimited broadband and true anytime calls requires looking past marketing language. Some providers cap “unlimited” data at fair usage thresholds while others restrict “anytime” calls to specific hours. This guide reveals which packages actually deliver what they promise.
What Truly Unlimited Means
Understanding provider definitions prevents disappointment:
Unlimited Broadband:
– Genuine unlimited: No caps, no throttling, no fair usage policies
– Soft-capped unlimited: Typically 1TB-2TB monthly limits with throttling beyond
– Peak-time management: Speeds reduce during evening congestion periods
Anytime Calls:
– True anytime: UK landlines and mobiles 24/7 without restrictions
– Evening and weekend: Weekday daytime restrictions apply (check exact hours)
– Landlines only: Mobile calls excluded despite “unlimited” marketing
Read terms carefully distinguishing between genuinely unlimited services and those with hidden limitations.
Best Overall Package: Virgin Media M250 + Anytime Chatter
Virgin Media M250 with Anytime Chatter costs £31.99 monthly for 264Mbps unlimited broadband plus unlimited UK calls.
Why it wins overall:
– True unlimited data without caps
– Genuine anytime calls to all UK numbers
– Fast 264Mbps speeds handle heavy usage
– Cable reliability averages 99.91%
– Free installation included
– Hub 5 router with WiFi 6
Unlimited data means truly unlimited. Virgin Media doesn’t throttle, cap, or restrict usage even for heaviest users.
Anytime Chatter includes unlimited calls to UK landlines and mobiles 24/7. No restrictions on timing or duration.
Speeds of 264Mbps support multiple family members streaming 4K content while others game or video conference simultaneously.
Coverage reaches approximately 60% of UK homes via Virgin Media’s cable network. Strong urban presence but rural gaps exist.
Best Budget Unlimited Package: NOW Broadband Super + Calls
NOW Broadband Super with anytime calls costs £30 monthly for 36Mbps unlimited broadband plus unlimited UK calls.
Why budget-conscious customers choose it:
– Affordable combined pricing
– Genuine unlimited data usage
– True anytime UK calling
– Rolling monthly contracts
– Regular promotional discounts
Router rental adds £5 monthly or £60 upfront. Real monthly cost becomes £35 including equipment and calls.
The rolling contract provides ultimate flexibility. Cancel anytime with 30 days notice without penalties.
Speeds of 36Mbps handle browsing, streaming, and video calls for 2-3 people comfortably. Not blazing fast but adequate.
Installation uses Openreach infrastructure taking 14 days on average. Remote activation works for pre-wired properties.
Best Premium Package: Sky Full Fibre + Sky Stream + Calls
Sky combines Full Fibre, Sky Stream TV, and unlimited calls for £35 monthly total.
Why premium seekers prefer it:
– Three services bundled affordably
– 59Mbps unlimited broadband
– 35+ live TV channels
– Unlimited UK anytime calls
– Single integrated billing
This triple-play delivers exceptional value for households wanting entertainment and communications unified.
Sky Stream provides live channels, catch-up, and on-demand libraries without satellite dishes. Internet-delivered television simplifies setup.
Unlimited calls cover UK landlines and mobiles anytime without restrictions. Traditional phone experience via modern VoIP.
The 18-month contract runs standard for bundles. Factor commitment into decisions if circumstances might change soon.
Best Social Tariff: BT Home Essentials Plus
BT Home Essentials Plus costs £20 monthly for 67Mbps unlimited broadband plus unlimited UK calls.
Why qualifying customers benefit:
– Exceptional value for Pension Credit recipients
– True unlimited data and calls
– Reliable BT infrastructure
– Free installation included
– 24/7 UK customer support
Eligibility requires Pension Credit receipt. Many pensioners qualify without realizing – check entitlement even if not currently claiming.
Speeds of 67Mbps handle video calls, streaming, and browsing for typical households without buffering.
Unlimited calls eliminate anxiety about running over minutes or time limits. Call family and friends freely.
BT’s customer service operates around the clock with UK-based teams. Support quality leads industry rankings.
Best for Heavy Users: Virgin Media Gig1 + Ultimate Volt
Virgin Media Gig1 with Ultimate Volt costs £62 monthly for 1,130Mbps unlimited broadband, unlimited calls, and unlimited mobile data.
Why power users justify premium pricing:
– Near-gigabit broadband speeds
– Unlimited calls to UK numbers
– Unlimited mobile data included
– WiFi guarantees in every room
– Priority customer service
This ultimate package suits households where multiple people work from home professionally or serious gamers demand zero compromises.
Speeds exceeding 1Gbps mean downloads happening near-instantly. Full-length 4K movies download in under a minute.
Volt benefits combine broadband speed doubling with unlimited O2 mobile data for household members.
The £62 monthly cost reflects premium positioning. Most households never need this capacity but those who do appreciate the performance.
Understanding Data Usage Realities
Most households dramatically overestimate their actual usage:
Light users (browsing, email, occasional streaming): Typically use 50-100GB monthly
Average users (regular streaming, video calls): Usually consume 200-400GB monthly
Heavy users (4K streaming, gaming, downloads): Commonly reach 500GB-1TB monthly
Power users (content creation, constant streaming): Might exceed 1-2TB monthly
Even “heavy” users rarely hit levels where soft caps might apply. True unlimited matters more psychologically than practically for typical households.
Call Usage Patterns
Similarly, most people overestimate calling needs:
Light callers: 50-100 minutes monthly
Average callers: 200-400 minutes monthly
Heavy callers: 500-1,000 minutes monthly
Extreme callers: 1,000+ minutes monthly
Weekend calling packages (500-1,000 minutes) suffice for most people. True unlimited anytime calling benefits only genuine heavy phone users.
Who Needs Unlimited Everything
Specific situations justify paying for comprehensive unlimited packages:
Large families with numerous devices and users benefit from capacity accommodating everyone simultaneously.
Work-from-home professionals making frequent business calls appreciate unlimited anytime access.
Retirees calling family regularly value unlimited phones eliminating minute anxiety.
Content creators uploading large video files need unlimited data without throttling concerns.
Households streaming 4K content on multiple screens simultaneously require adequate unlimited bandwidth.
Who Can Save Money
Many households overpay for unlimited services they barely use:
Single people or couples using 50-100GB monthly waste money on unlimited data they’ll never utilize.
Mobile-only users never touching landlines pay for phone services sitting completely unused.
Light streamers watching standard definition occasionally don’t need expensive unlimited packages.
Households where everyone uses WhatsApp and FaceTime don’t benefit from unlimited landline minutes.
Run honest usage audits before paying premiums for unlimited services your household won’t actually use.
Fair Usage Policies Decoded
Some providers claiming “unlimited” actually impose restrictions:
Typical fair usage caps: 1TB-2TB monthly
Throttling thresholds: Speeds reduce after hitting caps
Peak-time management: Performance decreases during evening congestion
Commercial use restrictions: Business activities violate residential terms
Read terms carefully for these hidden limitations. Truly unlimited packages explicitly state no caps or throttling apply.
VoIP Call Quality Considerations
Modern unlimited call packages typically use VoIP technology:
Sound quality generally matches traditional landlines when broadband performs well.
Upload bandwidth affects call clarity. Minimum 100kbps per simultaneous call recommended.
Power dependency means VoIP fails during outages unlike traditional copper lines.
Router quality impacts performance. Better routers prioritize voice traffic preventing choppy conversations.
Network congestion can degrade calls. Heavy household internet usage during calls sometimes affects quality.
Bundle Cost Comparisons
Real monthly costs for unlimited packages:
Virgin Media M250 + Calls: £31.99 (broadband + calls)
NOW Super + Calls: £35 (£30 + £5 router, broadband + calls)
Sky Full Fibre + Stream + Calls: £35 (broadband + TV + calls)
BT Home Essentials Plus: £20 (broadband + calls, social tariff)
Virgin Media Gig1 + Volt: £62 (broadband + calls + mobile)
Sky’s triple-play delivers best entertainment value. Virgin Media M250 wins for speed-focused households. BT Home Essentials unbeatable for qualifying pensioners.
Hidden Costs in Unlimited Packages
Several charges inflate advertised unlimited pricing:
Annual price rises every April add inflation plus 3-4% increases affecting all providers.
Router rental appears at some providers. NOW’s £5 monthly fee pushes real costs higher.
Installation fees range from free to £70. Confirm if providers waive setup charges.
Early termination penalties cost £10-15 per remaining month if leaving contracts early.
Out-of-contract rates jump 30-50% when minimum terms end unless renegotiating.
Testing Your Usage
Before committing to unlimited packages, audit actual consumption:
Check current broadband usage via router admin pages showing monthly data totals.
Review phone bills identifying actual minutes used versus package allowances.
Track streaming hours estimating data consumption (HD uses 3GB hourly, 4K uses 7GB).
Count devices and users requiring simultaneous connectivity determining speed needs.
Assess calling patterns identifying if genuine anytime access needed or weekends suffice.
Honest usage assessment prevents overpaying for unlimited capacity you’ll never actually utilize.
Questions Before Committing
Get definite answers upfront:
What exactly is unlimited – data, calls, or both? Confirm no caps or restrictions apply.
Are calls to UK mobiles included or just landlines? Clarify what “unlimited” calling covers.
Do fair usage policies apply despite unlimited marketing? Read terms for hidden caps.
What’s total monthly cost including all fees and VAT? Pre-VAT quotes jump 20% at checkout.
Can you monitor usage tracking data and minutes consumed? Transparency helps budget management.
What happens during power outages affecting VoIP calls? Understand emergency calling limitations.
Making Your Decision
Start with honest needs assessment. Don’t pay for unlimited services your household barely uses.
Check provider availability at specific addresses. Coverage varies significantly even within same postcodes.
Compare total costs including all fees and equipment. Router rental and installation inflate headline prices.
Read contract terms carefully. Price rises, caps hidden in fair usage policies, and exit fees all affect value.
Test during guarantee periods. Most providers allow 14-30 days to cancel for refunds if disappointed.
Unlimited broadband and anytime calls deliver peace of mind for households using services heavily. Large families, work-from-home professionals, and retirees calling frequently benefit from never monitoring usage or minutes. Light users overpay for unlimited capacity they’ll never utilize and should choose cheaper packages matching actual consumption patterns. Match your genuine usage to package features rather than assuming unlimited always delivers best value.
