Yes, it is possible to get broadband without a phone line in some cases. This does not apply to everyone, and it is dependent on where you live and the options available in your property.
The primary internet networks in the UK consist of standard copper ADSL and fibre-optic. Virgin Media also have their own cable network and there is another network for 4G and 5G mobile broadband.
Asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) broadband is provided to UK homes through a network of copper telephone wires and so requires a phone line.
Similarly, fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) broadband is one of the fastest fibre connections, but is also dependent on copper phone lines.
Openreach (also known as BT Openreach) owns and manages all telecommunications lines and phone cables across the UK. This also includes the entirety of the UK phone and broadband network.
The types of broadband you can access without a phone line includes full fibre, cable, and mobile broadband.
The full fibre broadband network in the UK is still developing, with just over 50% of the country being covered by Virgin Media’s network.
If you are looking for broadband but you don’t want the phone line that comes with it, your best option is likely to be 4G or 5G mobile broadband. It is estimated that a 5G mobile broadband hub will be a major competitor of fixed broadband speeds.
One of the main reasons people are unlikely to want a phone line or landline as part of their broadband package is because they may end up paying for something that they aren’t using regularly.
This article will provide an overview of what mobile broadband is, the positive, negatives, and other information you need to know.
The benefits of mobile broadband
What is mobile broadband?
We’ve all heard of mobile broadband, but not every might be clear about what it involves. In the UK, people can access mobile broadband through a number of devices.
You can use a dongle, personal wifi device (sometimes called MiFi), or data-only SIM card, among other options. The main advantage of mobile broadband is that it is portable and can offer you plenty of flexibility for your needs.
For some users, it may work out cheaper to use some form of mobile broadband instead of fixed-line. You should consider your internet needs and whether you could potentially save money by moving to a different type of broadband.
As well as being a great option for cheaper broadband, it’s also possible to use broadband while you’re away from your home.
A good way to check if you can access mobile broadband in your home is to see if you’ve got a mobile phone signal. If you do, then it’s likely you’ll be able to get mobile broadband.
Positives of mobile broadband
One of the greatest advantages of mobile broadband is the ability to your internet connection when you’re away from your home and unable to access a WiFi network.
For many people who live in a rural area or area with poor broadband lines, then mobile broadband is a great option. As long as you have a reliable phone signal, you should be able to access broadband coverage without much difficulty.
Another great advantage of mobile broadband is the security that you get with your internet connection. A WiFi connection can be notoriously easy to hack and with cybersecurity threats becoming more prevalent all the time, it’s always a better option to secure your data where possible.
Having a mobile broadband connection allows you to do just that, and gives you control over the security of your devices accessing the internet.
For most people though, the primary benefit of mobile broadband will come down to how much money you can save. Without the need to pay for a costly landline or fixed cable that you may not even be using, most people find that they can make a more economical decision. Better to spend that money on something you actually want!
Disadvantages of mobile broadband
Even taking all the great advantages into account, it’s not to say that mobile broadband is a one-size-fits-all solution that will work for everybody.
Like other broadband options, there are some disadvantages associated with it. You may have noticed that if you travel outside of a town to a more rural location, your phone signal will drop from 4G to 3G or lower.
This is because phone coverage is not equal across the UK and it can be patchy, especially in rural locations. Fortunately, coverage seems to be increasing year on year, which is a major positive. Unfortunately, it means that you are not guaranteed to be able to access mobile broadband in your home.
Another issue with mobile broadband is the fact that there are strict limits on how much internet you can use/ access. If you go over this limit, you will end up having to pay more money for accessing the internet, and this could work out more expensive in the long run.
Your best bet is to calculate how much internet you intend to use and to identify whether mobile broadband would be a good fit for your needs. In this way, you’ll be making the most cost-saving choice.
Mobile vs Landline
When it comes to mobile vs landline broadband, there are lots of pros and cons to weigh up. Some of the advantages of landline or fixed line broadband can be hard to argue with when it comes to connectivity and reliability.
For the majority of users, fixed line broadband is more widely available. In comparison with 4G, which covers the needs of between 75%-95% of the population, you are likely to be able to access landline much easier.
The download limits of landline broadband is one of the key factors that will influence people when it comes to the mobile vs landline debate.
Nowadays, the majority of people will want to stream, listen to music, watch videos, play online games, etc. This all takes a lot of internet bandwidth, and if this is why you primarily use the internet, it’s likely that mobile won’t be sufficient for your needs.
For some people, mobile is a more temporary option, while landline is the one that people use on a more permanent basis.
Is broadband without a phone line worth it?
It’s difficult to answer this question directly because it really does depend on what you’ll be using it for. The best way to make a decision on what’s right for you is to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of each option and then identify what fits your needs.
The majority of people will be able to access the internet with a landline, and even though many people don’t use their landline phones anymore, they often come already pre-installed in rental properties. This means that it’s easier and cheaper for you to connect up with a broadband supplier than installing a brand-new network.
However, in some cases, the phone line will already be included in your bundle, so it’s not a major issue to have to continue using it. Because the phone lines are the property of the company who installed them, it’s often more difficult/ not possible to remove them.
In terms of flexibility, cost effectiveness, and ease of use, most people will be able to enjoy the benefits of mobile broadband. However, as we have discussed, this option won’t be suitable for everyone, and there are fortunately many options available now on the market so that you can access broadband without a phone line.
For more information on internet connectivity in the home, head to our dedicated routers section.
