Can I get Broadband without a landline?

Last reviewed: 24 September 2026

You can get broadband without a traditional landline, and for many new connections, a separate phone service is no longer needed.

The important thing is that “broadband without a landline” can mean a few different things. Full Fibre and cable broadband do not use a traditional phone line at all, while services such as SOGEA still use part of the existing copper network but do not include a phone service.

The UK is also moving away from traditional landlines altogether, with the old PSTN network due to be switched off on 31 January 2027. 

If you are looking for broadband without a phone line, this guide explains your options, what happens if you still want a home phone, and what to check before choosing a deal.

Do you need a landline for broadband?

No. You do not generally need a traditional landline to get broadband. The old idea that broadband and a phone service have to come together comes from the way older broadband connections were delivered over copper telephone lines. Modern broadband services increasingly use fibre, cable or wireless connections instead.

However, the term "broadband without a landline" can mean different things. You might want broadband that does not use a phone line at all, or simply want broadband without an active home phone service. The options you have will depend on the infrastructure available at your address.

What types of broadband do not need a landline?

Several types of broadband can work without a traditional landline.

Full fibre

Full Fibre, also known as FTTP or FTTH, uses fibre-optic cable all the way to your property.

Because the connection does not rely on the old copper telephone network, you do not need a traditional landline to use it. It is also generally the fastest type of fixed broadband available, making it particularly suitable for households with several people streaming, gaming, working from home or using multiple connected devices. 

However, Full Fibre is not available at every address yet, so you will need to check your postcode or address.

SOGEA

SOGEA stands for Single Order Generic Ethernet Access.

It can be slightly confusing because SOGEA can still use the existing copper connection between your home and the street cabinet. The difference is that you do not take a traditional phone service alongside your broadband.

This makes SOGEA a useful option if Full Fibre is not available at your address but you do not want to pay for a traditional phone line.

Cable broadband

Cable broadband uses a separate network rather than the traditional Openreach copper phone network. Virgin Media, for example, operates its own cable and fibre network.

Cable availability is limited to areas covered by the relevant network, so you will need to check your address to see whether it is an option.

5G and other wireless broadband

If you do not want a physical line at all, you may be able to use 4G, 5G or another fixed wireless service.

These services use a router that connects to a mobile or wireless network. They can be particularly useful where fixed-line broadband is unavailable or where you do not want an engineer to install a physical connection.

The main thing to check is signal strength at your address. A strong 5G connection in one part of a town does not necessarily mean the same service will work well inside your home.

Which broadband providers offer broadband without a landline?

A number of UK broadband providers offer packages that do not require a traditional landline. The exact options available depend on the technology used in your area and the provider's network.

Some examples include:

Plusnet offers both Fibre and Full Fibre broadband without a landline. Its Fibre packages use SOGEA technology, which uses fibre to the street cabinet and copper for the final connection to your home, without providing a traditional phone service. Full Fibre packages use fibre all the way to your property. 

Virgin Media offers broadband-only packages through its own network, so you do not need a traditional phone line. Its broadband-only options are available in areas covered by the Virgin Media network. 

Other providers, including BT, Sky, EE, TalkTalk, Vodafone and Hyperoptic, also offer broadband services that can be delivered without a traditional landline, particularly through Full Fibre networks. However, availability and the exact package offered can vary by address. 

If you are looking for broadband without a landline, it is therefore worth checking which providers and connection types are available at your address, rather than assuming that every package from a particular provider works without one.

What is happening to the UK's old phone network?

Older broadband services such as ADSL traditionally relied on the same copper telephone network used for landlines.

That distinction is becoming increasingly important because the UK's traditional PSTN network is being retired on 31 January 2027. Openreach is also retiring the UK's copper network as Full Fibre is rolled out, although the timing of this varies by area.

If you currently have an older copper-based broadband service, you do not necessarily need to arrange everything yourself immediately. Your provider may contact you about moving to an alternative service. This does not mean home phone services are disappearing altogether. Instead, many providers are moving customers to digital voice services that use a broadband connection rather than the old analogue network.

Can I still have a home phone without a landline?

Traditional analogue phone services are being replaced by digital voice services, where calls are carried over a broadband connection rather than the old telephone network. Your phone will usually connect through your broadband router instead of the traditional wall socket. 

You may also be able to keep your existing telephone number and, in many cases, your existing handset.

If you do not use a home phone, you do not need to add one simply because you have broadband. Many broadband-only packages are available without a phone service.

What if I still want a landline-style phone?

You can still have a home phone service without having a traditional analogue landline.

Digital Voice services allow you to make and receive calls over your broadband connection. This is becoming the standard replacement for traditional landlines as the PSTN network is retired.

There are a few things worth checking before switching, particularly if your home phone is important to you.

Digital phone services generally need electricity and a working broadband connection. During a power cut, your digital landline may therefore stop working unless you have an appropriate backup solution. Ofcom says providers must offer suitable support where customers depend on their landline for emergency calls and do not have a reliable mobile alternative. 

What about telecare and alarm equipment?

If you use your landline for a personal alarm, telecare device or other equipment, check before switching.

Some older devices were designed to work over the traditional phone network and may need to be replaced, adapted or reconfigured for a digital voice service. Your broadband provider or equipment supplier should be able to tell you whether your device is compatible.

Is broadband without a landline available everywhere?

No. The connection options available to you depend on your address. Full fibre coverage is expanding, but it is not available everywhere. Cable services are restricted to the areas covered by their networks, while 5G and other wireless services depend on local coverage and signal strength.

Rather than choosing a connection based on general availability, check what is actually offered at your property. If you are unsure which type of broadband you need, you can also compare the different connection types before choosing a package.

Check broadband options at your address

Switching from broadband with a landline

If your current broadband package includes a traditional phone service and you want to move to broadband-only, check your existing contract before switching.

You may need to consider:

• Whether you are still within your minimum contract term
• Whether you want to keep your existing phone number
• Whether any telecare or alarm equipment uses the phone line
• Whether your new broadband package includes a digital voice service
• Whether the new connection is available at your address

If you are ready to change provider, our guide to switching broadband providers explains the process and links to provider-specific cancellation guidance.

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