How to get broadband without a phone line

Your guide to finding broadband with no landline

Can you get broadband without a phone line?

Yes! Broadband without a phone line does exist. But the options are limited.

Virgin Media is the only ISP which offers broadband without a phone to a significant number of premises around the UK.

The majority of home broadband services use the Openreach telephone network for ADSL and fibre (FTTC) broadband, and these require an active phone line.

In some areas, you might be lucky enough to have the option of fibre to the premises (FTTP), which doesn't require an active telephone line, but this is only available to a relatively small percentage of homes and businesses.

There are a few other types of broadband such as satellite and Wi-Fi broadband which do not require a phone line, but they may not be available to everyone and have their own drawbacks which might make them unsuitable; continue reading below for more information.

Why do some of the deals in the comparison table include a landline?

We’ve found that visitors to our site may start out looking for broadband without a phone, but due to the lack of options, many end up choosing a regular unlimited broadband package instead.

That is why we have chosen to include other packages on this page, as well as any broadband only deals. Rather than simply displaying the one or two providers offering this service we also list a choice of the best internet deals which are widely available, and provide the filters and help you need to sort through the options and find the right package.

Should I get broadband without line rental?

Many of us no longer make voice calls with a home telephone, in which case broadband without line rental can save you a few quid. But the limited choice of deals means you may not find a suitable broadband package. It may be better to choose a deal with line rental to get the right broadband service. You might also want to consider broadband with no setup fee, or broadband with free gifts, such as BT Mastercards or Plusnet Cashback if you are looking for the cheapest option.

What’s the difference between line rental, phone line and phone packages?

Line rental is the basic fixed monthly fee you’ll have to pay in order to have a phone line, which in most cases is required to get broadband.

Phone line package or phone package deals usually mean inclusive call bundles which offer free or discounted calling. If you are going to use the landline for calls then a phone package can save a lot of money.

Some providers are flexible when it comes to phone packages and may allow you to add or remove call bundles without penalty, so you can always swap it around later on if you change your mind.

Can I get no phone line broadband with providers such as Sky, EE and TalkTalk?

Of the major (and most minor) home broadband providers, only Virgin Media offers broadband without a phone. Other ISPs use the BT Openreach network to provide services and that requires an active telephone line.

Some ISPs will sell a broadband-only service, but this is intended for those who wish to use separate phone and broadband companies, and it still needs a phone line to function.

How do I get broadband without line rental?

1. Enter your postcode: Search by postcode to filter Wi-Fi deals by location. This will eliminate packages which aren’t available in your area.

2. Select a Virgin Media deal: As Virgin Media is the only ISP offering broadband without a phone line currently available on Broadband Genie, you will need to select a Virgin Media deal if you want broadband only. You will need to pass a credit check to get Virgin Media; if this is a problem look for a broadband deal without a credit check.

If you do not see any Virgin packages after entering a postcode, this means Virgin is not presently available in your area.

Will broadband without a phone line always be cheaper?

Broadband only deals are not always the cheapest. Virgin Media is one of the more expensive providers (but also the fastest) and you may only save a few pounds by leaving out the line rental.

Check the monthly cost as you compare deals. If you’re looking for the cheapest broadband package, a phone line is probably going to be a necessity. If the landline is not being used for calls choose a deal which has no inclusive calling bundles so you’re not paying for unnecessary extras.

Can I get broadband without a phone line on ADSL and fibre optic packages?

No. ADSL and fibre optic broadband packages (with a few exceptions - see FTTP below) use the BT Openreach network and require an active telephone line.

Can I use 4G or 5G mobile broadband instead of home broadband?

One option for getting home internet without a phone is to use a 4G or 5G mobile network. These can be as fast or faster than many home broadband services, and there are now mobile broadband packages designed for home use which include very large data usage allowances, and Wi-Fi routers designed for use in the home. In order to get one of these services you do not need any kind of phone line, the only requirement is that there is a strong signal in your area to provide a decent speed. 

Here are some of the home 4G and 5G deals currently available: 

To learn more about this read our guide to using mobile broadband at home.

Are there any other options for broadband with no phone line?

• FTTP: Fibre To The Premises ISPs such as Hyperoptic use pure fibre networks and a phone line is not needed. Unfortunately, these services are only available to a small number of properties.
• Satellite internet: Broadband via satellite does not rely on any fixed lines or wireless transmissions so it can be installed anywhere in the UK. For more information read our guide to satellite internet.
• Wi-Fi broadband: There are some ISPs which use wide-area Wi-Fi networks to provide home broadband services. Wireless broadband is usually found in rural areas where fixed-line services are lacking.

Frequently Asked Questions about broadband without a phone

• How do I get broadband without a phone package?

  If you don’t mind paying line rental (or cannot get broadband without a phone), but have no use for a phone package with inclusive calls, you can filter out such deals in our comparison table by using the calls filter option.

• How do I find the cheapest landline connection?

  After entering your postcode and selecting the appropriate filters, sort the displayed deals by price to view them from lowest to highest.

  The cheapest line rental is usually found by paying for the broadband and phone package in advance. This is not offered by every ISP but a few providers have an option to pay for the entire contract in one go at a lower rate than the equivalent monthly charge.

• Can I get TV without a telephone line?

  Virgin Media is the only option for TV and broadband bundles without a phone line for the majority of homes. Sky TV can be purchased as a standalone product, but the box requires a telephone line to function.

  You could also use streaming TV, but of course, that requires a broadband connection which may also need a telephone line.

• Can I get Wi-Fi without a phone line?

  All Virgin Media broadband packages include a free Wi-Fi router so you will have Wi-Fi access if you choose one of these deals.

  There are also home broadband ISPs which use long-range Wi-Fi transmissions to deliver services, but these are a rarity and only available in a few areas.

• Why can't I see line rental costs in the comparison table?

  All Virgin Media broadband packages include a free Wi-Fi router so you will have Wi-Fi access if you choose one of these deals.

  Line rental is no longer separate from the cost of broadband. The price you see in the comparison table is the cost for both broadband and - when applicable - a phone line.