Aancall vs bOnline (2026): A Future-Ready Alternative for UK Virtual Numbers After the BT PSTN Switch-Off

11.01.26 08:38 PM - By Aancall

AancallVsbOnline.

With BT switching off the UK’s PSTN and ISDN network, business communications are entering a new era. By 2026, every UK business will need to be fully VoIP-ready — there will be no traditional landlines to rely on.


That’s why more and more companies are now searching for a bOnline alternative, comparing Aancall vs bOnline, and reassessing whether their current phone system is truly ready for life after PSTN.


Both providers support VoIP. The real difference lies in how well they support modern UK businesses with teams based both in the UK and overseas, and how future-proof their platforms really are.

What is the Best Alternative to bOnline in 2026?

Aancall is a strong alternative to bOnline in 2026, offering UK virtual numbers, AI-powered call transcription, contact centre solutions, stable pricing from $9.99 per user per month, and full readiness for the BT PSTN switch-off — without long-term contracts.

The PSTN Switch-Off: Why 2026 Is a Turning Point for UK Businesses

BT’s withdrawal of PSTN and ISDN lines is one of the biggest changes UK telecoms has seen in decades. For businesses, it means:

  • Traditional landlines will stop working

  • All business calls must run over the internet

  • Flexibility, resilience and scalability become essential


Many businesses initially moved to VoIP simply to replace their old phone lines. In 2026, that approach is no longer enough.


The real question is:

Which provider helps your business communicate better once PSTN is gone?


This is where Aancall positions itself as a strong, 2026-ready alternative to the bOnline phone system.

Aancall and bOnline: Two Trusted Providers, Two 2026-Ready Approaches

bOnline remains a familiar and trusted name for UK businesses transitioning away from traditional phone systems. It offers dependable VoIP services and continues to support a large UK customer base.


Aancall delivers the same UK virtual number capability — but with a broader focus on what UK businesses need in 2026 and beyond, including:

  • AI-powered call intelligence

  • Contact centre solutions

  • Support for teams in the UK and overseas

  • Stable pricing with no long-term contracts


Both are credible providers. The difference is in how far beyond basic VoIP they go.

Trustpilot Ratings: What Businesses Say in 2026

Customer feedback remains a strong indicator of reliability.


  • Aancall holds an Excellent Trustpilot rating (around ⭐ 4.8/5), with businesses highlighting fast setup, 24/7 support and flexibility.

  • bOnline maintains a Very Good rating (around ⭐ 4.5/5), reflecting its long-standing reputation in the UK market.


This places both providers on solid ground — making future readiness the deciding factor.

AI-Powered Communication for the Post-PSTN Era

In a post-PSTN world, voice communication is data — and data works best with AI.

Aancall’s AI-First Approach


Aancall uses AI to turn calls into useful insights:

  • Automatic call transcription

  • AI-generated call summaries

  • Clear handovers for distributed teams, regardless of location


This is particularly useful for UK businesses operating with:

  • Hybrid teams

  • Overseas sales or support staff

  • High call volumes


bOnline offers AI features such as call scoring and summaries, which many businesses value. Aancall’s difference is that AI is built into everyday workflows, not treated as an optional extra.


Contact Centre Solutions Designed for 2026

As PSTN disappears, many UK businesses are consolidating customer communications into a single platform.

Aancall Contact Centre Solution

Aancall provides a fully modern contact centre platform, including:

  • Intelligent call routing

  • Omnichannel communication (voice, chat, SMS and more)

  • Real-time monitoring and analytics

  • CRM-connected customer context

  • AI-assisted workflows


This allows businesses to deliver consistent customer experiences — whether teams are based in the UK or abroad.


bOnline focuses primarily on VoIP phone systems, which suit many businesses, but do not offer the same level of contact centre capability.

CRM Integration: Essential for UK Businesses in 2026

With PSTN gone, businesses rely more heavily on integrated systems.


Aancall integrates deeply with leading CRMs, enabling:

  • Automatic call logging

  • Call recordings, transcriptions and summaries attached to records

  • Better visibility for teams across multiple locations


bOnline also offers CRM integrations, which is a strong feature. Aancall’s advantage lies in automation and AI-driven insights, reducing manual admin.

Pricing Stability Matters More in 2026

Telecom pricing has shifted significantly during the PSTN transition. Cost predictability is now a priority.

Aancall Pricing

  • Starts from just $9.99 per user per month

  • No long-term contracts

  • No unexpected pricing changes

  • Simple, scalable plans for UK and international teams


This pricing transparency is a key reason businesses consider Aancall as an alternative to bOnline.

Fast Setup — Even During the PSTN Transition

Despite its advanced feature set, Aancall can be fully set up within around two hours.

This includes:

  • UK virtual number activation

  • Onboarding for UK and overseas teams

  • Call flows, CRM and AI features

Speed matters when migrating away from PSTN.


Built for UK Businesses With Teams Everywhere

Aancall is designed for UK businesses that operate beyond borders:

  • Virtual numbers and calling in 65+ countries

  • Strong presence in the UK, USA and Canada

  • Ireland calling included in plans

  • UK landline and UK mobile numbers over VoIP

  • UK solutions available even if the business is not physically based in the UK


UK Number Porting Made Simple

Moving away from PSTN doesn’t mean losing your number.

With Aancall:

  • UK numbers can be ported within 7–10 working days

  • Minimal disruption to customers

  • A smooth transition to VoIP-only communication

24/7 Support for a 2026 Business Environment

Modern businesses don’t stop at 5pm.

  • Aancall offers 24/7 support via live chat and phone

  • Ideal for teams operating across time zones

Aancall vs bOnline (2026): Which Is the Better Choice?

If you’re searching for a bOnline alternative or comparing Aancall vs bOnline in 2026, the key question is not who works today — but who is ready for tomorrow.


Aancall stands out by offering:

  • AI-powered communication tools

  • Contact centre solutions

  • Stable pricing from $9.99 per user per month

  • No long-term contracts

  • Strong support for teams in the UK and overseas

Final Thoughts

bOnline remains a trusted provider for UK business communications.


However, as the BT PSTN switch-off reshapes how UK businesses operate in 2026, many are choosing Aancall as a future-ready alternative to bOnline — one that goes beyond replacing phone lines and instead supports how modern teams actually work.


If your business is planning for life after PSTN, Aancall is built for what comes next.

Aancall