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What is a broadband only deal?
Broadband only is a standalone deal that is not bundled with other services such as TV and phone.
However, these deals are rare and, while you’ll find some here, the term has come to cover a broader spectrum of broadband tariffs that are commonly recognised as internet only packages, even though they also include phone services.
As TV deals have become increasingly popular we've found that many of our visitors searching for broadband only are actually looking for broadband and landline deals without a television package.
Additionally, the majority of broadband deals also require a phone line to work and are rarely sold without phone service included.
For these reasons, you’ll see that many of the broadband deals listed on this page include a phone line, but do not come with any other services.
What are my options for just broadband packages?
There are three different types of broadband-only deals you’ll find listed on Broadband Genie.
Broadband only
These are internet only packages where you pay the supplier for just broadband, but an active phone line is still required.
This gives you the freedom to choose a different phone company. However, these are now extremely rare, and they can be well hidden if you visit the provider pages directly as they’d really prefer you got a phone line at the same.
Broadband and phone deals
The most common type of home broadband package is broadband with a phone line, where you pay a single provider for both broadband service and phone line rental.
This may not be what some of you are after when searching for broadband only, but as we explained above it is often the right choice if you’re looking at just broadband deals without extras such as TV.
These deals are available without inclusive calls, and this is the cheapest option if you only have a phone line for broadband. If you are going to use the phone regularly, then you should get an inclusive call bundle as this will significantly reduce the overall cost.
Broadband without a phone line
These are broadband only services that do not require a phone line.
Since most broadband technology needs a phone line they are not common — Virgin Media is the biggest provider offering it at this time. Other providers, such as Community Fibre and Hyperoptic, that operate broadband without a phone using FTTP (Fibre To The Premises) networks cover only a small percentage of premises in comparison to Virgin.
Also, keep in mind that almost all deals still require some kind of fixed-line; if you want broadband without any kind of wire you'll have to look at a wireless broadband service instead.
What are the best broadband only deals?
The very best broadband deals can be found in the table above, or in the list below are our current five favourite broadband only deals:
Which providers offer just broadband packages?
Again, this does depend on quite how you define a broadband only deal: If you are looking for a broadband only package with no phone line, then your main option is Virgin Media. Alternatively, FTTP services, whether they are from the major providers or smaller networks such as Hyperoptic, also will not require a phone line.
If you simply want a broadband deal without a TV service, and do not mind having a phone line, then pretty much every major provider in the UK is an option!
Is a broadband only deal right for me?
Broadband only is useful if you want to use different phone and broadband providers. There may be features you need for each service that are not offered by any single ISP.
However, we would recommend a broadband and phone bundle for most people as they are much simpler to set up, and often provide the best value. If you’re not planning on using the phone for calls and only need it for broadband, save some money by choosing a package without inclusive calling.
If you don’t ever use a landline phone and don’t want to pay for line rental you’ll need to look at a broadband without a phone deal from a network such as Virgin Media or Hyperoptic.
How to get a cheap broadband only deal
Whether you're looking for a cheap broadband only deal, or are in the market for something more expensive the following section will walk you through how to get the best deal for you.
What are the cheapest broadband only deals?
The following table shows the cheapest broadband only deals we offer. However cheap doesn't always mean value, sometimes fibre optic barely costs any more than standard broadband - and the extra speed can go a long way (we'll explain more in the next section).
If you want to learn more about the cheapest broadband deals on the market, visit our cheap broadband page.
What should I look for when comparing cheap broadband only deals?
Download speeds
"What speed do I need?" is one of the questions we hear most, so use the following as a rough guide. Note that these are all average speeds, and the actual performance of your service will vary depending on your distance from the exchange and the quality of your line.
- ADSL: Usually the cheapest deals but also the slowest speeds; only really suitable for an individual streaming or a couple of devices browsing the web.
- 35Mb fibre: Usually enough for a small household, with 1-3 devices streaming at the same time.
- 67Mb fibre: A good option for medium-large households. Can support multiple heavy users at the same time (e.g. streaming or gaming).
- 100Mb+: These speeds are usually found with full-fibre (FTTP) or Virgin Media deals. This kind of speed is suitable for the heaviest users; large households with many devices streaming, gaming, or video calling simultaneously.
Monthly price
The fixed monthly cost of the package. If the deal includes a phone the line rental is bundled with broadband in the monthly price. Price is very closely tied to speed too, when you are considering the overall value. A fibre package might only be a couple of pounds more expensive per month than a slow ADSL service, and the extra speed will almost always be worth it.
Effective cost
We work out what you’ll actually be paying per month for your broadband throughout the length of your initial deal, taking all the extras and offers into consideration.
Contract
The length of your deal. No-contract deals are available but you’ll tend to find the longer deals get you the cheapest prices. However, be sure to consider your circumstances before you go for a bargain buy: can you be sure you’ll still want this service in two years’ time?
Will I save money with a broadband only deal?
Unfortunately, there is no one definitive answer here; this does really depend on the situation, but we've got a few answers below:
- Broadband deals that don't include a TV deal will almost always save you money vs. a broadband and TV deal
- Broadband deals that don't include a calls package are sometimes cheaper than equivalent deals with a free calls package included — this is not always the case though.
- Also, if you are going to frequently make landline calls then it can usually work out cheaper to include a free calls package, rather than pay the network rate every time you make a call.
- Broadband without a phone line options (such as Virgin Media) are not usually noticeably cheaper than similar deals from other providers who offer broadband through a phone line.
Could a bundle deal be a better option?
Bundling TV with broadband (and phone) packages can be a great way to save money, provided you actually need the TV service. It is often cheaper to get your broadband, home phone and TV services from the same provider — although this is not always the case.
Can you save money paying line rental upfront?
Plusnet used to offer something called 'Line Rental Saver' where you could pay the line rental portion of your package upfront for a reduced cost. Unfortunately, this was discontinued in 2021 and no other providers offer this option.
Can I get broadband without phone line rental?
Most broadband services need a phone line to function. There are some broadband deals that do not require a phone line, but options are limited; the only mass-market provider that offers broadband without a phone line is Virgin Media (although it does still require a cable connection). Check out our Virgin Media availability checker to see if you can get it.
Full-fibre (FTTP) services can also provide broadband without phone line rental, the catch is that this is still a very new technology and relatively few homes can get it at the moment. But they can be very good value if available; enter your postcode into our comparison table and we'll tell you if FTTP is in your area.
More on broadband without a phone line
Finally, a number of the people coming to this page may well be looking for broadband without phone line, because they either cannot get a phone line installed or they simply do not wish to pay for one. We have a dedicated broadband without a phone line page, but we'll also answer some of the key questions below.
Do I need a phone line to have broadband?
You don't, although most providers will require a phone line to offer you most of their best broadband options. There are plenty of alternatives though: Virgin Media is the most common, while FTTP deals are also a good option.
Do I still need a landline if I don't use the phone?
Similar to the above, most broadband providers will use a landline to provide you with a broadband connection. So unless you are with a no-landline provider (e.g. Virgin) you will still need your landline, even if you don't use the phone.
Can you get fibre broadband without a phone line?
You can get fibre (or speeds that match it) without a phone line, in one of the following ways. Unfortunately, they both will require a line of some sort to be installed in your property
- Full fibre/FTTP: Have a direct fibre line installed to your house to get the fastest speeds.
- Virgin Media: You could get a Virgin line installed (if there is not one already), again this will offer very fast speeds without the requirement of a phone line.
Is mobile broadband a good alternative?
Mobile broadband can be a good option (you can even get dedicated 4G and 5G home broadband packages now) but only if you live in an area with a strong signal. Read our guide to mobile broadband at home for more on using it as an alternative to home broadband.