Can you get temporary broadband?
‘No contract broadband' can also be referred to as a 'rolling monthly contract'.
If you’re after a flexible broadband deal, a rolling monthly option is an excellent choice for internet access without a lengthy commitment.
These broadband services can be cancelled at any time, and can be thought of as ‘month-to-month broadband’. If you don’t go out of your way to cancel, these contracts will keep renewing.
When you do cancel a no contract broadband deal, you won’t have any early termination fees to pay. So what's the catch? Well, for this flexibility, you’ll normally have to pay a higher set-up fee. You’ll also find that the monthly price for pay as you go internet is pricier than it would be for a longer contract.
What’s the cheapest 1-month contract broadband deal?
Enter your postcode into our deals checker to find the cheapest 1-month broadband available for your home.
Everyone has access to different broadband deals across the UK and the results on our comparison table will change depending on your address.
Some of the providers we list who offer 1-month deals include:
but new deals and offers crop up all the time!
In June 2024, our cheapest 1-month broadband deal comes from 4th Utility. Its ‘Remarkably Fast’ 1 month deal offers you average download speeds up to 50Mb for £22 per month. Its speedier deals are also on offer on a rolling monthly basis for just a little extra too.
Use our postcode checker to find out if it’s available for you:
What are the benefits of no contract broadband?
Flexibility and freedom
You won’t be tied into a lengthy deal, and you won’t have to pay an early termination fee if you leave early.
No long-term commitments
Rolling monthly deals will carry on as long as you let them. It’s an excellent choice if you’re in temporary accommodation, or if you aren’t sure of your long-term set-up.
Easy upgrades and downgrades
You’ll be able to chop and change your broadband package regularly and without long-term obligation. For example, if you know you’ll have more people at home for a short amount of time, you can upgrade broadband plans easily to a faster speed. But if you then want to save money again, the next month you can switch back to a cheaper deal with no fuss.
It’s a great temporary broadband solution
Maybe you’re in short-term accommodation, or you own a holiday let and need an easy, flexible solution to offer Wi-Fi to your guests. A temporary 1-month contract will be the best suit, without finding yourself stuck in a long contract.
What are the downsides of short-term broadband?
Higher costs
Short-term internet contracts tend to be pricier per month. If you click on the ‘offer details and pricing’ section in Broadband Genie’s comparison table, you’ll probably find the ‘effective monthly price’ to be more than for an 18 or 24-month contract.
Fewer rewards and gifts
Of course, broadband providers would rather sign up customers and secure them for a longer-term. This means you’re far more likely to get a nice big gift voucher or bill credit on an 18 or 24-month contract than you are for a rolling monthly deal. Assume you’ll have less choice for perks and if you can get anything extra, then it’s a bonus!
Find broadband rewards and vouchers
Higher equipment fees
Temporary 1-month broadband deals often ask for a higher set-up fee before activation. This is the initial price you’ll pay to cover for the delivery of your Wi-Fi router, plus any admin fees.
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What other short-term broadband deals are available?
As well as one-month deals, there are a few options for shorter-term broadband contracts.
A common length for a broadband contract now is between 18-24 months. However, some providers still give options for 12-month deals.
Can I get a 6-month broadband contract?
It used to be fairly easy to find a 6-month broadband deal, but these are no longer that common.
If you’re looking for a short-term broadband solution, a rolling contract is a better option. This will give you the flexibility to cancel after six months if you need to.
Which providers offer one-month contract broadband or short-term deals?
Several providers currently offering short-term broadband packages on Broadband Genie. These packages are available all year round:
Three no contract broadband
Three offers up a rolling monthly deal with its 5G Unlimited Home Broadband packages. This is a mobile broadband service, so you won't need a landline - you'll just need to make sure you have a decent 5G signal.
Three's 5G Hub Unlimited Home Broadband is a good deal to sign up to if you're in between locations, or you need a flexible and temporary way to get online. Prices start from £24, although you may need to pay for a set-up cost for these short-term options.
For more advice on 5G connections, visit our guide: '5G home broadband
Rebel Internet no contract broadband
Operating on the BT Openreach network, most homes in the UK can access Rebel Fibre on a 1-month contract. However, if your home has been upgraded to a full fibre network, you can also get much faster packages on a rolling contract also.
All of Rebel's deals come with a fixed price promise. Unlike many other bigger named providers, you won't be subject to an annual price rise.
4th Utility no contract broadband
Are you after an ultrafast fibre package on a short-term basis? If it’s available in your area, 4th Utility is a good option. It’s very rare to be able to find a full fibre broadband option on a 12-month contract, let alone a rolling-monthly deal.
The price for its ‘Ridiculously Fast’ 1-month contract with average download speeds up to a whopping 900Mb isn’t unreasonable. For this, there’s a monthly cost of around £30, but also no set-up fee to pay.
Get Ultrafast Deals
How do I switch to a no contract deal?
Tempted by these monthly rolling options? As long as you’re out of contract with your existing broadband deal, you’ll be able to switch providers quickly and easily.
Just remember to give the required notice to your existing provider (normally 30 days) and to make sure your new contract is set so you don’t lose connection.
The good news is that none of the providers mentioned on this page that offer monthly deals share a network with any of the major providers. So you could start your service with a data overlap to guarantee you won’t lose internet.
Find out ‘how to switch broadband and get an amazing deal’ in our separate guide.
What are the alternatives to no contract broadband?
An alternative to no contract home broadband is to sign up to a mobile broadband service. You should find it easy to find a rolling-monthly deal, and it's quick to set up. You have a few options here:
No contract broadband vs. mobile broadband
You could either sign up to a dedicated mobile broadband service using a dongle, or you could investigate tethering your mobile phone.
As well as being extremely portable and quick to set up, mobile broadband is available as a short-term deal or pay-as-you-go. 4G or 5G can even offer faster broadband speeds than some home connections.
However, running costs can be expensive if you use lots of data. You'll also need to make sure you have a strong mobile signal.
There are now some unlimited mobile broadband deals. With these, you’ll never need to worry about data caps or extra fees. Just be warned, the monthly fees can be relatively high.
Longer contract 4G or 5G home broadband
If you’re being put off a longer contract because you don’t want to spend time with the admin of moving home, mobile home broadband deals are available on longer contracts. These deals are intended for home use, so they don't include portable dongles. But they do give you a much higher data usage limit and more powerful home networking equipment.
They're also quick to set up, as you can start using them as soon as you have the hardware. You won’t need a visit from an engineer.
4G and 5G Home Broadband contracts delivered via a mobile network are available from the likes of:
Using a Wi-Fi hotspot
You might need to hunt around for a good location, but there are many different Wi-Fi hotspots dotted around the UK.
Often you can access these in places like pubs or cafés if you’re a customer, but there are also chargeable Wi-Fi Hotspots.
For example, you can pay for access to an EE Wi-Fi Hotspot for as little as an hour, a day, 5 days or 30 days.
Frequently asked questions about no contract broadband
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What's the cheapest broadband with no contract?
4th Utility currently offers the cheapest 1-month contract broadband on Broadband Genie at £22 per month. There’s also no set-up fee to pay.
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Can I get a no contract deal with Sky Broadband?
Sky Broadband deals are only available on a long-term contract of 18 months. You won’t be able to sign up to no contract deal with Sky.
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Can I get a no contract deal with Virgin Media Broadband?
Unfortunately, Virgin Media Broadband deals are only available on a long-term contract of 18 months and there are no short period deals available.
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How far in advance do I have to cancel a no contract broadband deal?
The notice period for cancelling a standard home broadband service is usually around 14 days. However, most monthly contracts require 30 days' notice. Others, like NOW, allow you to cancel at any point before your next month.
Each provider has its own policy, so you should always check ahead of time. It’s important to cancel any broadband service correctly, or it can land you with extra charges. It could also block the line for the next occupant or cause issues if you switch providers.
Expert Summary
You'll always have to sign some kind of agreement to use it, but a short-term contract may be your ideal option if you need a more temporary solution for getting online.
These deals are best if you’re not sure how long you’ll need internet for. No contract broadband packages are especially great for holiday lets, students or if you're after a decent broadband service in short-term rented accommodation.
Just remember that short-term broadband may be a little pricier. In some cases, you might be better off with a mobile broadband package, as they can be quick and easy to set up while also having flexible contracts.
You may even find the cheaper monthly prices (and rewards) on a longer-term contract make it more appealing when weighing up your options.
Whichever you prefer, keep an eye on the costs as they can be a little bit expensive. Once you’re settled, we suggest getting a long-term broadband deal as it’ll save you money.