Your guide to broadband only packages
Dan Howdle
Broadband only is exactly that – a broadband deal with no other services added. Up until a few years ago it was virtually impossible to snag broadband on its own without a phone line because almost all broadband packages arrived at your home via that same line. At the time, Virgin Media with its own unique network was the only provider offering a truly broadband only package, and even then you wouldn't save any money opting for it,
But a lot's changed in the last five year or so. With the arrival of Full Fibre, which arrives at your home via a fibre optic cable that simply can't operate as a traditional phone line, and though a couple of providers are still forcing a landline on you whether you like it or not (a digital line in the case of Full Fibre), you can now get a broadband only package from most of them.
And it does actually save you money in one sense, because adding a landline – which many households no longer need – costs extra. In this buyer's guide, we'll take a look at everything you need to know about broadband only deals.
Why choose broadband only?
Broadband only deals are becoming more popular as more people rely entirely on their mobiles. If you don’t need a home phone, choosing broadband without a landline or a TV package can save you money or afford you the opportunity to mix and match the most suitable elements from various providers. Here are some of the key reasons to consider broadband only:
- Save money – Without a landline, you avoid paying extra for line rental and call packages you may never use, making broadband only a cheaper option in most cases
- Avoid nuisance calls – Landlines are a common target for spam and sales calls. Ditching the landline means less unwanted nonsense
- Flexible TV options – Broadband only lets you pick and choose streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, or NOW, rather than being tied into a broadband and TV bundle
- Future-proofing – Full Fibre broadband is designed for the future, and since it doesn’t require a phone line, broadband only is the default option for many Full Fibre packages, though some do insist on a digital PAYG line as standard
What our expert says...
"Most forward-looking households these days won't need a landline because we all have our mobile, but there are exceptions. It's worth knowing that the traditional, copper landline network is being switched off this year, so if you do need one you will have to switch to a digital line fairly soon. For everyone else, broadband only (or broadband without a landline) is going to be the right choice."
Dan Howdle, Broadband and mobile expert
Which providers offer broadband only deals?
Most providers now offer broadband only deals. Below is a list of the providers you can compare on this page, their top speeds, and whether they offer broadband with or without a landline.
Please note that availability and speeds vary based on where you live. While some of those listed above are national providers, some (the altnets) will not be presented in your search after you enter your postcode since they operate in specific locales and are not nationally available.
Choosing the best deal for you
While price is important, other factors like speed, contracts, and additional fees can make a big difference in long-term value. Here are the main things to consider in a little more detail.
Speed versus price
Broadband only deals range from budget-friendly with lower speeds to ultrafast Full Fibre. The key is to balance speed with cost based on what you're actually going to use.
If you mostly browse the web and stream in HD or 4K to one or two screens concurrently, a speed of 50-100Mbps should be sufficient. However, for downloading games and other large files, or have many people in your household all streaming at once, faster is better. While faster broadband often costs more, some providers offer discounts on higher speed packages – price does not scale with speed in a like for like way – making them better value overall.
Contract length
Broadband contracts typically last 30 days, 12, 18, or 24 months, with longer contracts often providing better monthly pricing. However, shorter contracts are becoming increasingly rare these days, with only a handful of providers offering contracts shorter than two years, and in the case of 30-day contracts you can expect to pay a premium for the privilege of having the option to exit when you want.
Additional costs to consider
Beyond the advertised monthly price, there may be additional costs that affect the total you pay:
- Setup fees – Some providers charge a one-off installation fee, especially for Full Fibre connections
- Router fees – Most deals include a router free of charge, but some charge for delivery or for upgrades to the standard model if you need something with a little more oomph
- Mid-contract price rises – Most broadband providers increase prices annually, and thanks to new Ofcom rules that came into forse this year, you can now see exactly by how much and when in their advertised pricing
- Early exit fees – Cancelling before your contract ends can result in early termination charges – these can be steep if you have a long way left to run in your current contract
- Speed guarantees – Some providers offer money-back guarantees if speeds fall below a certain threshold, and Wi-Fi guarantees that promise a minumum speed in every room
Compare deals
What is a broadband only deal?
In the context of broadband packages, broadband only means it's a broadband deal that doesn't come with either a phone line or a TV package from that same provider. Of course that won't necessarily stop you from getting a phone and/or TV deal from another provider. We cover mixing providers a bit further down, and it can be beneficial when, for argument's sake, the best broadband is from EE and the best TV is from Sky.
Up until recently most providers still provided a PAYG landline with their Standard Broadband offerings, but not with their Full Fibre packages, but those lines have become pretty blurred. Both TalkTalk and Sky now insist on providing a PAYG landline with every package they offer, including Full Fibre, but of course that doesn't mean you have to use it.
Broadband only versus broadband with PAYG calls
If you still need a home phone but don’t make many calls, a broadband package with pay-as-you-go (PAYG) calls might be a better option for you. PAYG means you only pay for the calls you make, without being locked into a monthly calling package that costs extra. However, if you never use a landline, a broadband only deal could save you money and simplify your setup.
For those who make regular landline calls, some providers still offer broadband with a calling package, which includes either full or partially unlimited calls for a fixed monthly fee. Here’s how the three options compare:
Most providers now offer broadband without a landline, but if you still want the option to make calls, PAYG or a call package could be worth considering. Just be aware that per-minute call charges on PAYG can add up, while a call package will increase your monthly bill.
Can I get broadband without a landline at my address?
Broadband only deals are increasingly available, but it depends on your location and the type of broadband available in your area. Full Fibre (FTTP) and cable broadband (Virgin Media) allow you to connect without a landline, while ADSL and Standard Fibre (FTTC) still require a phone line, but can also in some cases be provided as broadband only. It's as clear as mud in terms of who does what, but you can easily compare using the comparison at the top of this page.
How to check availability
To find out if broadband without a landline is available at your address:
- Use this comparison – Enter your postcode at the top of the page to see if Full Fibre or Virgin Media is available
- Disregard providers that insist on a landline – Sky and Talktalk provide a PAYG landline whether you want it or not these days. If you truly want no landline at all, you'll need to either steer clear of these providers or simply don't plug in a landline once you're up and running. Some other providers will insist on a landline only if you're getting Standard Fibre, but not with Full Fibre
A general rule of thumb is that if Full Fibre is available where you live, you can usually get broadband without a landline. If not, you may still require a phone line for your broadband connection, but not always.
If you can’t get Full Fibre yet
If Full Fibre broadband is not yet available in your area, you have a few options:
- Choose cable broadband – Virgin Media’s cable network offers broadband without a landline. It's not technically Full Fibre, but it is very, very fast
- Consider mobile broadband – 4G and 5G home broadband can be an alternative if mobile coverage is strong and of course puts a landline completely out of the picture
- Don't use the landline if you have to have it – If needed, you can opt for a broadband service that includes a phone line until Full Fibre or true broadband only is available where you live, and in the meantime simply not use it
Broadband only deals and TV options
Broadband only deals give you the flexibility to choose how you access TV content. Instead of being tied into a provider’s broadband and TV bundle, you can mix and match different services to suit your needs.
What if I still want TV?
If you want access to live TV, sports, and entertainment channels without bundling it with broadband, there are several alternatives:
- Streaming services – Services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+ provide on-demand content
- NOW (Sky’s other streaming service) – Offers Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, and entertainment channels without a contract, but it's in many ways inferior to Sky Stream
- Freeview Play – Watch live and catch-up TV from BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and more with an internet connection
- Sky Stream – A contract-free way to watch Sky channels over broadband, no satellite dish required, and you can have your broadband from another provider and still get it
Mixing your broadband and TV providers
You can get broadband only (with not phone line) and add for example Sky TV. Technically some might argue that 's not broadband only, but from your broadband provider it will be unless that provider is Sky, if you see what we mean. One real advantage of broadband only deals is in fact that you can mix your broadband and TV providers.
Will broadband only affect my streaming quality?
Choosing a broadband only deal will not negatively impact streaming quality, but you should ensure your broadband speed is sufficient for your household’s needs. Here’s what to consider:
- Speed requirements – Streaming in HD requires at least 5Mbps, while 4K needs 25Mbps per device
- Multiple users – If several people are streaming at once, higher speeds (100Mbps+) are recommended
- Wired vs Wi-Fi – A wired connection is more stable for streaming, but a good Wi-Fi router can also help
- Data usage – All broadband providers now offer unlimited data, but some fair usage policies can still be applied by some providers (these tend to be budget) in particularly heavy usage scenarios
If you're using a mixture of broadband and TV providers, your broadband speed will be the biggest factor in ensuring a smooth streaming experience. Full Fibre and cable broadband (Virgin Media) are best for households that stream to multiple screens at once as that usually requires good to very good download speeds.
