At a glance
Full fibre and 5G broadband don’t require a phone line.
Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) and ADSL broadband do.
If you have ADSL or FTTC broadband, you’ll pay line rental even if you don’t use the landline.
Other alternatives for broadband without a landline include satellite and mobile broadband.
What is broadband without a landline?
Broadband with no landline gives you access to the internet without having a home phone connection as part of the package.
Traditionally, you needed an active phone line to get a home broadband package in the UK. But the rollout of fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) services, better known as ‘full fibre’, has changed that as they no longer rely on the old analogue network.
There are also other options for broadband without line rental, including 5G broadband. This uses a 5G mobile signal to wirelessly connect your devices to the internet.
Do I need a landline for broadband?
You might not need a landline to get home broadband, but this depends on where you live and the way the internet is delivered to your home.
Fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) and ADSL connections still use the old copper phone system, so if you have one of these, you’ll need to pay line rental even if you never make calls.
However, as the UK shifts from an analogue set-up to a digital infrastructure, it means there are now a lot more options for getting internet with no phone line.
With a broadband-only package, your home phone line will be disconnected if you no longer want a landline. But it means you won’t have to pay for line rental.
Did you know?
The ageing copper phone network is due to be switched off in January 2027. Traditional analogue landlines are being phased out and replaced with VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telephone services. Over three million UK households have now moved to digital landlines, according to BT.
Pros and cons of a broadband package with no landline
Advantages of a broadband package with no landline
Convenience – get online as easily as possible
Potential for lower bills – no line rental charges, extra calls or pay-as-you-go calls added to your monthly broadband bill
Faster speeds – access full fibre broadband, which offers the fastest speeds in the UK.
Disadvantages of a broadband package with no landline
Limited communication options – you’ll need to rely on your mobile to make and receive calls
Loss of home features – you’ll lose your home phone number, which some people are nostalgic about
Restricted provider choices – not all areas can access full fibre broadband, so you might still have to pay for line rental.
Is a broadband-only internet package cheaper?
A broadband-only deal could be cheaper than a broadband and phone package, but it’s best to compare prices to make sure you’re getting value for money.
Full fibre broadband often used to be more expensive than bundling standard broadband and landline services together. That’s because it offered faster speeds and was less widely available. But times have changed.
If you never use a home phone, it makes sense to search for broadband deals that don’t include a landline so you’re not paying for something you don’t need.
Which providers offer fixed broadband without a phone line?
All the main providers of broadband in the UK now offer fixed broadband deals without the need to pay for line rental. They include:
Virgin Media
Virgin Media was the first major internet service provider to offer broadband without a phone line. It was able to do this because it operates its own cable network that’s independent of Openreach.
It offers broadband packages with average download speeds of between 132Mbps and 1,130Mbps.
BT
BT offers broadband-only deals as standard across its fibre-optic packages, with guaranteed download speeds of up to 700Mbps. You only use the broadband you want without paying for landline services.
Plusnet
Plusnet offers full fibre broadband that delivers ultrafast download speeds of up to 900Mbps.
Sky
You can get broadband-only plans from Sky that deliver lightning quick download speeds of up to 5,000Mbps.
TalkTalk
TalkTalk offers full fibre broadband plans that deliver average download speeds of up to 900Mbps.
Other providers
Other full fibre networks, including Hyperoptic, Community Fibre and Gigaclear, offer some of the fastest speeds in the country without the need for a phone line.
But these deals are less widely available, so it’s important you check the availability for your area.
What bundles are available for broadband without a phone line?
Without a phone line, your options for broadband bundles tend to be more limited, but there are still deals out there.
Virgin Media, BT and Sky all offer broadband and TV packages with a range of internet speeds, allowing you to bundle your broadband together with a TV subscription in one convenient package.
In some cases, you can also bundle a broadband and mobile package together.
Compare broadband with us
Whether you’re looking for broadband without line rental, a broadband-only package or broadband with phone and TV, we can help.
FAQs
Is broadband without a phone line the same as broadband only?
Both refer to an internet package that doesn’t include a phone service. But, depending on how the connection is delivered to your home, you may need to pay line rental, even if you don’t make calls.
A true ‘broadband-only’ deal doesn’t include line rental.
Do broadband prices include line rental costs?
Yes, since October 2016 it’s been compulsory for broadband providers to include line rental in their headline costs.
And at Compare the Market, as well as showing the monthly cost, we include an all-in 12/18/24-month total cost, depending on how long the contract runs.
This includes line rental, as well as other ‘extras’ such as activation fees and other equipment charges.
What is a digital phone line?
A digital phone line uses your broadband connection to make calls, rather than relying on traditional copper phone wires. Also known as VoIP or Digital Voice, it converts your voice into data and transmits it over the internet.
Once you move to a VoIP service, your landline phone will work in much the same way as it always has, although it will only work in a power cut if it has a battery back-up.
Can I make emergency calls with broadband-only?
No, without a standard landline connection, you won’t be able to make calls to emergency services using a home phone. You’ll need to make them on your mobile instead.
Can I get my landline number back after switching to broadband-only?
You may have a grace period of around 30 days to get your home phone number back once you’ve switched to broadband-only deal.
But once that period ends, you can’t retrieve your number. You'll have to get a new number if you decide you need a home phone in the future.
Is mobile broadband more expensive than broadband with a landline?
Mobile broadband-only deals can often be more expensive than a fixed broadband service as mobile data typically costs more.
If you exceed your mobile data limit, you could end up paying more for extra data. So, if you’re into Netflix and online gaming, a mobile broadband-only deal may not be the best solution for your needs.
Looking for something else?
Over the past decade, Kate has worked in various industries, including company secretarial, small business support and property investing.
Her move to financial services in 2022 not only helped her find her niche in personal finance writing, but also just how alienating finance can be. She’s now motivated by making everyday money a piece of cake for everyone, helping her readers feel informed and in control.
Kate now specialises in savings and current accounts as well as broadband, mobile and energy products.
Ele Clark is an award-winning editor who has held leadership roles at Which? and news-stand publications in London and Dubai. She’s appeared across the press and media, including BBC’s Panorama. With almost 20 years’ experience in personal finance, insurance and consumer journalism, she leads a talented team at Compare the Market, creating insightful, accessible content to help people make informed financial decisions.
With the UK racing towards gigabit speeds and our phones more integral to our lives, Matt wants to make sure you have great packages that can keep up. And with more than 10 years' experience working with digital brands, he’s shaping our broadband, TV and phone comparison journeys.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by technology. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
What our expert says...
“Broadband providers have recognised that around half of UK households no longer have a landline.
“They’re offering greater incentives to customers who are more likely to be attracted by broadband-only deals that are cheaper than bundling their internet with a phone package.
“Remember, though, that the cheapest deal isn’t always the best. It’s important to make sure that the option you go for delivers the broadband speeds you need for your household.”