Phonely

Phonely: digital telephony with anti-fraud protection in the UK

Phonely is a British digital telephony company that offers a landline service based on VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) aimed at protecting users from telephone fraud and scams. The company presents itself as the winner of the Digital Inclusion Award at the AbilityNet Tech4Good Awards 2026, a recognition that, according to its own communication, was awarded for facilitating the digital transition for British households, especially older adults and vulnerable people. Phonely operates as an employee-owned company and is regulated by Ofcom.

Services and how it works

The main service consists of a digital landline that works through the user's broadband connection. Phonely does not provide internet service: the customer must keep their broadband provider for the line to work. The company allows you to keep your existing landline number at no extra cost, or assign a new one, and offers VoIP adapters to continue using analogue phones, as well as digital handsets for those who prefer to upgrade their equipment.

The system includes automatic real-time blocking of fraudulent calls. According to the company's information, numbers reported on its 'who called me' website are blocked within an hour, and at the end of each day, numbers that other Phonely customers have blocked on their accounts are also added. Phonely notes that this internal system is updated more frequently than the third-party databases that other providers update monthly.

The company also offers a free calling app that allows you to use your landline number from a mobile device, so the user maintains connectivity even if their internet connection fails.

CallGuard: protection for the most vulnerable

Phonely has developed CallGuard, a protection system designed specifically for older or vulnerable people. The company explains that the product was created to give this group the confidence to answer the phone while maintaining their independence. The system acts as a barrier against scammers and telephone fraud, and includes notifying callers that the conversation is being recorded before connecting the call.

Context of the switch to digital telephony

The company frames its activity within the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) switch-off planned for January 2027 in the UK. Phonely cites data according to which 73% of British households still rely on their landline and five million people over 65 were targeted by phone crime in 2019. The company maintains that traditional blocking methods, such as listing on the TPS (Telephone Preference Service), do not stop criminals, and therefore bets on an automatic blocking system built with contributions from its customers.

Awards and institutional presence

In addition to the Digital Inclusion Award, Phonely has received the 'Most Innovative Small Business' award. The company states it has the backing of police forces and Trading Standards in the UK, and has appeared on the BBC, specifically on Scam Safe Week and the Scam Safe Roadshow. Phonely has presented what it describes as the UK's first live scam call map, a tool that tracks scam activity in real time.

Company profile

Phonely Ltd is an employee-owned company based in Norwich, England. It has an in-house technology team and a twenty-year track record in the telecommunications sector, according to its own presentation. The company is regulated by Ofcom and its website declares compliance with WCAG 2.1 and EAA/EN301549 accessibility guidelines.

Location and contact

Phonely, New Patricks Yard, Recorder Road, Norwich Norfolk, NR1 1NR · Email: hello@phonely.co.uk