Do I need a phone line to get broadband?

The vast majority of providers include phone line rental as part of the broadband package - whether you like it or not.

This is because most providers use the Openreach network to deliver broadband to your property, and this requires an active phone line. You don’t have to use the phone line though, you don’t even need to have a handset in the house to plug into it.

It is possible to get broadband without a phone line, but your choices are limited.

Since June 2021, BT now offers broadband without a landline as the default option. You do still have the option to add a landline and call package from £2 per month though.

View BT broadband deals

Virgin Media has its own network of cables that are completely independent of the Openreach network. This means that as well as being able to offer incredible speeds, there is no phone line.

View Virgin Media broadband deals

In August 2020, EE started offering broadband without a phone line on fibre plans. This is thanks to SOGEA technology (Single Order Genetic Ethernet Access) which enables broadband providers to deliver a copper line with the voice component stripped out. Those who still want a landline can add one back in, along with a call package.

View EE broadband deals

It might seem simple - no phone line = cheaper broadband. We're afraid not.

Virgin Media is one of the more expensive providers, so you may actually find cheaper deals from providers like Plusnet or TalkTalk that even with the phone line included, still cost less.

As for EE, the SOGEA technology we talked about above does not necessarily make it any cheaper than broadband & phone bundles from other providers. This is because you still use the same copper line with just with a small amount of the delivery costs removed for the voice side.

Line rental refers to the monthly fee you pay for the lines used to deliver broadband to your home.

Phone packages are the plans included in your broadband package which give free/cheaper calls, for example evening and weekend, or international.

Most providers, particularly those that use the Openreach network, use the term 'broadband only' to refer to broadband without a phone package, not broadband without a phone line.

Mobile broadband uses the 4G mobile network to connect you to the internet and so requires no cabling. Using mobile broadband may seem like the ideal solution to avoid paying for a phone line.

The main problem is that unless you live in an area with good 4G, you're going to struggle with data heavy tasks like streaming TV and films. Even if you do live in an area with good coverage, what you save in line rental you may quickly incur in excess data charges. If you're anything more than an extremely light or occasional user then this isn't going to be the best option for you.

Yes. The price of advertised broadband deals must include the cost of line rental. This has been the case since 31 October 2016 when the ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) ruled that providers must make their costs clearer.

This will depend on which type of broadband connection you have. If you have Standard ADSL or an FTTC connection then you will need to take a phone line, as these connections both use the Openreach network of copper telephone wires.

Just because you need a phone line, it doesn't mean you have to use it, and there is no need to plug a handset in if you don't want to. More and more people rely solely on their mobile phones for calls now, so it is pretty common to not use your landline at all.

No, a phone line is no longer required for Sky boxes, but the box needs to be connected to your internet router.