Broadband only deals

What are broadband only deals?

Broadband only deals are home internet packages that don't include any extra charges for landline, mobile, or TV services. You simply pay for your internet access, and that's it.

With a broadband only deal, you only pay for your broadband. It's ideal if you don't need landline or TV services and just want to get online as easily and quickly as possible.

One of the main benefits of these deals is that they tend to be cheaper, so they’re a great option if you're looking to keep your bills low or if you're looking for student broadband. And as you won't be paying extra for services you don't use, it can also be a simpler option with less admin.

However, there are a couple of things to be aware of when looking for the best broadband only deals. Some providers have varying definitions of what this means, so there are a few key differences to bear in mind.

Most often, 'broadband only' is broadband without a paid home phone package. However, many broadband connections still need phone lines to work, even if you don't want to use them to make calls. However, paying for line rental isn't common these days.

Three ways to get a broadband only contract

Here are the different ways you could select a broadband only deal.

1. Broadband only with a phone line

This is the most common form of broadband only deals. They require you to have a phone line for the broadband to reach your home. Often, these will come with pay-as-you-go phone services as add-ons. So you still have the option of a phone, but you won't pay for anything you don't use.

2. Broadband without a phone line

This is what many people assume broadband only will mean and removes the need for a phone line entirely. However, only certain providers offer such services. For example, if you can get ultrafast speeds or full fibre broadband, you can enjoy broadband only without a phone line.

3. Mobile broadband

This type of wireless broadband connects you to the internet using a 4G or 5G mobile network via a data-only SIM card. No phone line is required, but a strong mobile connection in your home is a must.

Which providers offer broadband only deals?

Almost all UK broadband providers offer some form of broadband only deal. For the vast majority of these, those connections will still need to be made with a phone line. But nowadays, you won't usually be charged line rental as an additional cost.

There are some providers that offer true broadband only deals where no phone is required. The main supplier that offers this is Virgin Media, but full fibre providers such as fixed price supplier Hyperoptic also offer these services where available. And mobile broadband operators such as Vodafone, O2, EE and Three also offer broadband only deals.

And of course, most of the big providers now offer full fibre connections to a good number of UK properties too. So you can choose a broadband-only deal with them too if the service is available to your home.

Do I still need a phone line to get broadband?

In many cases, yes. The majority of UK broadband providers deliver their internet connectivity via a phone line using Openreach's network, either through copper or fibre cables. So you will still need to have a connection in place but in most cases, you won't have to pay any extra for this.

However, a growing number of full fibre providers deliver their internet services via their own network, so there's no phone line required for these services. These aren't as widely available as part-fibre connections yet, so use our broadband postcode checker to see if you can access it where you are.

What are the disadvantages of broadband without a landline?

The main disadvantage of broadband without a landline is not having a reliable phone option available should you need it.

While many people have chosen to cut the cord to their landline and rely on their mobiles, this could leave them without a way to communicate if there are network problems, or in the event of a prolonged power cut that leaves them unable to charge their device.

Landlines will still operate in these circumstances, however, so can always be relied on in an emergency.

Can I get fibre broadband without a phone line?

Yes. Virgin's fibre deals are all available without a landline, and full fibre providers can deliver speeds of up to 1Gbps without the need for a phone connection. If these services are available in your area, you can enjoy fast fibre broadband deals without a phone line.

Full fibre is also available to over half of UK homes, too. This also does away with the need for a phone line and offers similar speeds (sometimes faster) speeds than Virgin Media. So if full fibre is available to you, it might be a good option for a broadband-only connection.

If not, however, an extra charge for line rental will be necessary if you want to access part-fibre broadband from providers that use the Openreach network, which includes the likes of BT, Sky, Plusnet and TalkTalk.

Are bundles a better option?

While broadband only deals will be the better option for many people who do not have an interest in phone or TV services, if you do want to add these options to your home, it may often be cheaper to opt for a bundled package, such as broadband & home phone deal, even if you only use these services occasionally.

For instance, while many broadband only providers offer pay-as-you-go phone services, a bundle that comes with calls included may work out cheaper depending on how often you actually use them.

Meanwhile, adding pay TV channels to a bundle will often be less costly than getting them separately, as many pay-TV providers offer better deals for those who take broadband and phone services from them as well. Just keep note that some may come with higher upfront costs.

Therefore, if you are considering getting some type of TV & broadband deal, be sure to compare broadband, phone and TV deals to make sure you're getting the best package for your needs.