If you want broadband without a phone line, there are several ways to get it, but be warned - it might not actually work out cheaper…
Most broadband packages use a phone line to deliver broadband. The cost of the line is included in the advertised price, but you still have to pay it - even if you don't use a home phone.
That said, there are some landline-free broadband options available, including Virgin Media and Hyperoptic. Read on, and we'll go through it all.
Can I get broadband without a landline?
In the majority of cases, you'll need a working phone line in order to have broadband. The only major exception - the one with the widest availability at least - is Virgin Media.
The good news is that even the cheap internet deals usually include some free calls at weekends or in the evening. Still, if you're adamant you don't want a phone line at all, and you just want your broadband without line rental, there are a few options to think about.
The simplest solution for many is to switch to a broadband service like Virgin Media that, as we say, doesn't actually need a landline.
Compare broadband deals in your area
Who does broadband-only packages?
Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com) is the only major provider able to offer broadband without a phone line to more than just a few select areas of the country. If you want to see exactly what you can get, check broadband in your area.
Virgin Media
- 132Mb average* speed
- No TV channels
- £0.00 Setup costs
- 18 month contract
- £23.50 per month
- £20.72 Avg. monthly cost
- 264Mb average* speed
- No TV channels
- £0.00 Setup costs
- 18 month contract
- £29.00 per month
- £24.83 Avg. monthly cost
- 516Mb average* speed
- No TV channels
- £0.00 Setup costs
- 18 month contract
- £33.00 per month
- £28.00 Avg. monthly cost
- 132Mb average* speed
- No TV channels
- £0.00 Setup costs
- 18 month contract
- £29.99 per month
- 362Mb average* speed
- No TV channels
- £0.00 Setup costs
- 18 month contract
- £27.00 per month
- £25.61 Avg. monthly cost
- 132Mb average* speed
- 114 TV channels
- £10.00 Setup costs
- 18 month contract
- £28.50 per month
- £29.06 Avg. monthly cost
*Average speeds are based on the download speeds of at least 50% of customers at peak time(8pm to 10pm). Speed can be affected by a range of technical and environmental factors. The speed you receive where you live may be lower than that listed above. You can check the estimated speed to your property prior to purchasing.
Virgin Media's fibre optic broadband operates independently of the national telecoms network once owned and still mostly looked after by BT. It means Virgin Media can give you broadband with average speeds of 362Mb, with no need for a landline.
However, when you sign up for broadband and TV there's normally a phone service thrown in with the bundle - opting out won't necessarily save you money. In fact, it may be cheaper to take all three services, even if you you're not going to use the phone line.
You can check for yourself when you use our price calculator to compare packages:
Is landline-free broadband a cheaper option?
Because you don't have to worry about paying for your phone line, it would be easy to assume that broadband-only packages would be dramatically cheaper. That's not the case.
Take Virgin Media for example. Its broadband without a landline only works out around £5 less than its standard packages. It's also worth noting that it's one of the pricier providers out there, so you may be able to find an alternative from a company like TalkTalk or Plusnet that includes a phone line, but actually costs less.
- 132Mb average* speed
- No TV channels
- £0.00 Setup costs
- 18 month contract
- £23.50 per month
- £20.72 Avg. monthly cost
- 264Mb average* speed
- No TV channels
- £0.00 Setup costs
- 18 month contract
- £29.00 per month
- £24.83 Avg. monthly cost
- 75Mb average* speed
- No TV channels
- £0.00 Setup costs
- 24 month contract
- £25.00 per month
- £22.71 Avg. monthly cost
- 150Mb average* speed
- No TV channels
- £0.00 Setup costs
- 24 month contract
- £23.00 per month
- £19.88 Avg. monthly cost
- 150Mb average* speed
- No TV channels
- £0.00 Setup costs
- 24 month contract
- £27.00 per month
- £24.71 Avg. monthly cost
- 150Mb average* speed
- No TV channels
- £0.00 Setup costs
- 24 month contract
- £30.00 per month
*Average speeds are based on the download speeds of at least 50% of customers at peak time(8pm to 10pm). Speed can be affected by a range of technical and environmental factors. The speed you receive where you live may be lower than that listed above. You can check the estimated speed to your property prior to purchasing.
Always remember - the key is to compare your options. That way you can see the prices side by side, and get a clear sense of what's the best package for your budget.
Disclaimer: The content on this page was not provided or commissioned by any of the providers or operators mentioned. The opinions expressed are the author's alone, and have not been approved, reviewed or otherwise endorsed by providers or operators. Links to providers and operators on this page make us money if you sign up to a deal, but do not increase the amount you pay. For more on how we make money, read about us.
Can I get broadband without a line?
Broadband without a phone line may seem the ideal scenario, particularly if you're tired of paying line rental for a home phone you barely ever use.
In reality, at least in the majority of cases, you'll need a working phone line in order to have broadband. The only major exception - the one with the widest availability at least - is Virgin Media.
The good news is that even thecheap internet dealsusually include some free calls at weekends or in the evening. Still, if you're adamant you don't want a phone line at all, and you just want your broadband without line rental, there are a few options to think about.
The simplest solution for many is to switch to a broadband servicelike Virgin Media that doesn't actually need a landline.
Is 3G or 4G better than broadband?
If you live somewhere with decent 3G or4Gmobile phone signal, you might be able to rely on mobile broadband for your internet access. This way, if you don't use your home phone, you can do away with your landline and wave goodbye to line rental forever.
At first glance this might seem like a no-brainer, but unless you can access 4G, you'll finddata-heavy stufflike streaming films and TV practically impossible at mobile speeds. To see if 4G is available where you live, use an onlinemobile coverage checker.
Mobile internet is also likely to be significantly less cost-effective than a good value home broadband package. If you're anything more than an extremely light or occasional web user, what you save in line rental you may quickly incur in excess data charges.
Is satellite broadband any good?
As a last resort, if you live out in the sticks, beyond the reaches of BT and Virgin Media, and have patchy or non-existent mobile signal, satellite broadband could be an option.
Broadband by satellite is usually more expensive, slower and often less reliable than regular ADSL or. However, like satellite TV from Sky or Freesat, it's available pretty much anywhere, and it eliminates the need for a landline.
Is mobile broadband a viable alternative to fixed line?
Although fixed line broadband is a good alternative if you’re working remotely, it’s not a permanent alternative to fixed-line.
Mobile broadband is a convenient option if you’re planning to work remotely. But if you work from home, fixed-line is more reliable as well as more widely available. In short, fixed line is generally more reliable than mobile broadband, plus you’re more likely to get a better deal too.
Can I get WiFi without a landline?
If you go for a Virgin Media broadband package, you’ll get a WiFi router which will give you access to WiFi.
