Key Takeaways: Broadband without a phone line
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Do you need a landline for broadband?
No. You don’t always need a phone line for broadband. In fact, there are increasingly more broadband deals that don't require you to pay for a landline.
Let’s look at why you might want broadband without a phone line and find the best solutions.
Types of broadband without a phone line
Fibre optic broadband
Full fibre broadband doesn’t need a phone line, nor will you have to pay extra line rental.
But you will need a fibre optic cable. This could involve installation work.
Because of this, it may not be suitable for:
- Rented properties if you can’t get permission from a landlord
- Flats and high-rise buildings
- Areas that haven’t been upgraded to a full fibre network yet
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When will I get full fibre broadband?
Our copper phone lines will be switched off by the end of January 2027.
Ahead of this, providers are busy installing fibre optic cables and upgrading local networks.
If you can't sign up for a full fibre deal right now, check back often. Do regular postcode searches, too.
Part-fibre deals should get an upgrade to a full fibre service as soon as it’s available.
Read more: 'The differences between full fibre and part-fibre'.
Can you switch to full fibre? Check now!
Cable Broadband
You won’t need a phone line if you sign up to Virgin Media broadband.
This provider runs its own cable network and doesn’t make use of the Openreach telephone network.
- Speed: 1.1Gb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
£24.99 per month
£28.99 from 1st April 2027
£32.99 from 1st April 2028
- Speed: 264Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
£18.99 per month
£22.99 from 1st April 2027
£26.99 from 1st April 2028
How to get internet without cable or phone line
Mobile broadband (4G or 5G)
4G or 5G can be as fast, or faster, than many fixed line home broadband services.
You can sign up to dedicated mobile home broadband packages. These come with a handy Wi-Fi router which you can connect multiple devices around your home.
Mobile home broadband deals usually have unlimited data usage allowances. This means you never have to worry about how much you’re browsing or downloading.
To get one of these services, you don’t need any phone line. However, you will need a strong 4G or 5G signal in your area for a reliable service.
We highly recommend checking data coverage maps before you sign up to any contract.
Signing up to a rolling monthly deal as a trial first gives you the chance to test before committing.
Check Three 5G offers in your area
Satellite broadband
Don’t have access to a fixed line service at all? Struggling with an unreliable 4G or 5G signal? You could opt for a satellite broadband service.
Although it can be pricey, it can offer broadband options to even the most remote of homes.
Don’t expect lightning fast connections, though. Satellite broadband speeds tend to top around 50 Mbps.
For a price, SpaceX Starlink broadband customers can theoretically achieve average speeds up to 280Mb.
- Read more: ‘What is satellite broadband?’
Comparing internet without phone line
Broadband Genie’s postcode checker lets you quickly find your broadband options. It makes the process easy.
Alternatively, you can get a head start with these quick searches:
Here are a few things you should think about before signing a contract:
Speed
Here’s a quick guide to download speeds to help you find the perfect deal.
If you need to rely on a 4G or 5G deal, you’ll have less choice of packages.
As a guide, Three 5G Home Broadband has an average download speed of 150Mb.
Your received speed will depend on the data signal to your home. Three 5G will be fast enough to enjoy seamless streaming.
- Read more: 'The ultimate guide to broadband speeds'.
Cost
You can easily filter your results by monthly price. Or you can sort the table by prices ‘low to high’.
As well as the monthly cost, make sure to take price rises into account. Many providers hike monthly prices up every spring.
You can find more information about this in our guide to price rises.
If you want to get out of your current contract early, look for providers that offer switching credits. When you switch to one of these deals, you can claim a refund for any early exit fees. It’s a great way of dodging price hikes.
Contract Length
Many larger providers only offer long-term 24-month contracts, but shorter contracts are available. Your choices will depend on your home address.
Find short-term and no contract broadband
Top providers offering no-landline deals
Here’s a round-up of some of today’s best deals that don’t rely on a landline.
- Speed: 150Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
Rewards:
£22 per month
£25.50 from 1st April 2027
£29 from 1st April 2028
- Speed: 264Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
£18.99 per month
£22.99 from 1st April 2027
£26.99 from 1st April 2028
- Speed: 500Mb avg. speed
- Set-up cost: £0
- Contract: 24 months
Rewards:
£29.99 per month
£33.99 from 31st March 2027
£37.99 from 31st March 2028
Get a better idea of the broadband offers available at your exact address with our easy postcode checker.
What are the pros and cons of broadband without a landline?
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How to switch broadband
Switching broadband is simple, and you could get a better deal and save money in minutes.
- Start by using the Broadband Genie deals checker to view your options
- Use the filters to make light work of finding a package and provider that suits you
- Complete the checkout for your chosen deals
- You don’t need to get in touch and cancel your current service, your new provider will do this for you
- Choose your new installation date
- Look out for updates from your new provider. You may need to return equipment (Wi-Fi routers, boosters etc).
Get more tips in our guide: ‘How to switch broadband provider for better deals’.
FAQs
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What happens to my landline when I switch to full fibre?
The UK’s Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) will be switched off in 2027. When you switch to full fibre, calls will be fully digital.
You should have the option to keep your old landline number with no issues.
Read more: ‘Digital Voice: Top Tips to get ready for the PSTN switch off’
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How can I have internet but no phone line?
You can get internet without a phone line if you sign up to a:
- Full fibre service
- Virgin Media
- 4G or 5G Home Broadband
- Satellite broadband
For part-fibre deals delivered through the Openreach network, you may still need to pay for line rental.
Check the details of a checkout carefully before you switch.
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Can I get rid of my landline and keep broadband?
If you’re signed up to a part-fibre service (a deal with average broadband speeds below 74Mb), you need to pay line rental. This doesn’t mean you have to commit to a calls package.
Even then, some providers offer part-fibre broadband using a connection called SoGEA. This doesn’t make use of a landline, and you won’t need to pay for line rental. Check with individual providers for more details.
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Can you have broadband only?
Yes. Many packages offer broadband only.
You may still have to pay line rental for part-fibre deals. With full fibre (FTTP) deals, you should have a choice of signing up to a broadband only deal (with Pay As You Go calls often an option).