Along with Virgin Media, which has offered broadband without a landline for years, most providers now offer a broadband service without a phone line, with a choice of contract lengths and download speeds.
First let's establish what we mean by 'broadband without a phone line'. And before you slap your forehead at how obvious that is, it may surprise you to learn there are a few different definitions, both in terms of what us consumers might mean by it and what providers might mean by it. Note that with all Full Fibre packages a phone line is optional, and is supplied as a digital line (you still get to keep your number, though).
Providers are increasingly aware that an awful lot of us no longer use our landline phone, and so are coming to the realisation that if they offer a broadband-only deal that is cheaper than bundling it with a phone package, customers will snap it up. Virgin Media was the first major provider to offer broadband without a phone line, and now the likes of BT and others have followed suit.
Several mobile providers now offer 4G (or 5G where available) home broadband packages that also come with unlimited usage, putting them on a par with fixed broadband. EE’s 5G home broadband comes with download speeds of up to 110Mbps. Although you won’t get the speeds available with a cabled connection, a 100Mbps service is easily capable of supporting the requirements of most households.
As well as EE, other mobile providers offering 4G/5G home broadband include Three, Vodafone and O2. To find out what is available, visit our 4G home broadband comparison page where you can filter down the options to show unlimited deals and those on 1-month or 12-month contracts.
Broadband providers use the phone line to deliver their broadband service to your home. Even if you don’t use your landline you still need to pay for the line which is included in the overall cost of the deal.
It is with Openreach providers such as BT, EE and Sky, but not with Virgin Media.
The line rental is the fixed monthly fee you pay for having a phone line. Phone line packages and phone packages usually include discounted calling or free calling – they can save you money if you’re planning on using your landline to call anyone.
Since 2016, all prices must include the line rental in the prices of the broadband. It’s no longer a separate cost.
Not a lot. Both terms used to refer to a broadband deal with a landline but no inclusive calls. However there are now several true broadband-only deals available – in other words, a broadband connection without a functioning phone line.