The Independent’s journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?
Broadband without line rental allows you to connect to a service that doesn’t require a landline. Technological advancements have resulted in reaching for landlines less often, and full-fibre broadband, which doesn’t use old copper wires, can deliver superfast speeds.
The digital age has caused landlines to go the way of the dodo, and in 2025 they’ll be replaced by a digital service. A broadband without line rental deal means your provider doesn’t require you to have a landline. If you don’t currently have a landline or you’re someone who doesn’t use yours, you could save a lot of money by choosing a broadband with no line rental deal. Generally, broadband and phone deals cost more, so removing your line rental could save on your monthly bill.
Different types of broadband are offered without line rental. Cable broadband, Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) and mobile broadband are the types offered by UK providers.
Broadband deals with no line rental have become a popular package choice in recent years. The “big four” broadband providers in the UK – BT, Sky, Virgin Media and TalkTalk – all offer broadband without line rental deals boasting superfast speeds. Though they’re not the only ones offering fibre and mobile broadband, these are the top providers for broadband with no line rental deals.
BT
BT is the largest broadband provider in the UK, so it’s no surprise it offers a sizeable selection of broadband without line rental deals. With six full-fibre deals to choose from, the plans range in various price points and broadband speeds. BT’s fastest full-fibre deal reaches average speeds of up to 900Mbps. The provider is also well known for its TV services, bundling broadband and TV packages that include TNT Sports channels and Sky Cinema.
Sky Broadband
Sky Broadband is one of the largest UK providers offering four full-fibre broadband deals with average speeds ranging from 100Mbps to 900Mbps. Sky’s deals are fairly expensive, but if you’re looking for a broadband and TV package, the plans include Sky TV and Netflix. On its website, Sky notes that Fibre 100, Ultrafast Plus and Gigafast are available to 40 per cent of UK homes, while 47 per cent can access Ultrafast.
TalkTalk
TalkTalk’s broadband packages tend to be more affordable than Sky, BT and Virgin Media. There are four full-fibre deals to choose from. Its slowest package, Full Fibre 65, has an average speed of 77Mbps, which is two times faster than FTTC broadband. Its superfast deal, Full Fibre 900, offers an average speed of up to 944Mbps – slightly faster than some others featured in this guide.
Virgin Media
Virgin Media offers the fastest broadband speeds in the UK – reaching up to 1,130Mbps – but it’s not available UK-wide. Virgin Media uses its own fibre-optic coaxial cable system that delivers broadband directly into your home. If Virgin Media is available in your area, you’ll have access to many deals with superfast speeds. Additionally, Virgin’s TV bundles include Sky Cinema, Sky Sports and O2 Priority.
Vodafone
Offering both cable broadband and mobile broadband makes Vodafone a worthy contender for broadband without line rental deals. It offers the most full-fibre deals on the list – Pro II Full Fibre reaches speeds of up to 910Mbps. What sets Vodafone apart from other providers is its mobile broadband coverage. Some of Vodafone’s deals include its automatic 4G Broadband Back-up, meaning you’ll never lose connection. Vodafone has a range of mobile broadband deals, from unlimited data-only SIMs to 5G-powered GigaCube routers.
EE
EE, now powered by BT, offers superfast and reliable broadband without line rental deals. EE’s broadband service benefits from BT engineering and is powered by EE’s Smart Hub Plus router – its fastest packages ranging from 150Mbps to 1,600Mbps. EE also offers mobile broadband deals using its 4G and 5G mobile networks, with 4G speeds reaching up to 40Mbps and 5G speeds reaching up to 146Mbps.
You may disconnect your phone line if you’ve opted into a broadband without line rental deal. This type of plan means that you won’t be paying for a landline service, rendering your landline unusable to receive and make calls from.
Broadband can be bundled with other services, and most providers offer broadband and phone deals – which are necessary if you need a landline to make and receive calls and are required for some types of broadband. Some providers bundle broadband and TV, namely Sky and BT, which offer the best TV packages with deals including Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, TNT Sports and Netflix.
Broadband contracts vary in length but are usually 12-, 18- and 24-month contracts. This information should be available to you at the time of signing your contract. If you’re looking for a shorter contract period, there aren’t many options available unless you choose a no-contract broadband service. Although this provides flexibility, it comes at a higher price.
