There are many different broadband packages that you can consider. However, if you want broadband without a phone line then you may wonder if you have any option, and if they are any good. Before you look into your options consider seriously whether you actually need broadband without a phone line. If you just resent paying landline rental it might be best to bite the bullet and put up with it.
This article will look at your broadband without a phone options and the technologies available. First, lets have a look at the why.
Why should I get broadband without a phone line?
With the advent of smart phones and the increase in extras offered by mobile providers fewer people are using their home land line. In fact most people use their mobile phones for all of their calling needs which leave the land line as a redundant piece of hardware. One of the only reasons why many people still have the land line is because of their broadband connection. Most broadband connections require a land line to work but there are some alternatives you can consider.
The people who really benefit from these deals are those who use their mobile phones for most of their calling. If you have a mobile with a good amount of free minutes then this kind of broadband is definitely for you. Fixed broadband without a phone line is supplied to your home through the use of fibre optics and cable connections.
Fibre optic or cable broadband
The most common type of broadband which does not use a phone line is fibre optics or cable. Virgin Media is the main provider of this kind of broadband. The reason for this is that the infrastructure has been rolled out primarily by Virgin Media. There are other service providers who offer this type of connection including BT and Sky. The network coverage for Virgin Media reaches around 50% of the homes is the UK.
Even though the options are a bit more limited this kind of broadband should be investigated. There is a reasonable selection of diverse options which are suited for every household. One issue which many people have with cable broadband is the price. Fibre optic broadband is generally more expensive than the ADSL alternatives. However, fibre optic connections offer greater speeds and you are able to save money on the phone line rental.
3G mobile broadband
The limited number of options for phoneless broadband has caused many people to turn to mobile solutions. While using mobile services alone will allow you to do away with your phone line there are some other factors which should be looked at. The first point to look at is whether this is a cost effective solution.
Using mobile broadband is not as cost effective as you may think. While you are saving money on the line rental there are other aspects of this broadband which cost more. In fact if you are looking for a cost effective solution then you would be better off with a fibre optic connection. The charges for data are more with 3G mobile broadband and the monthly fees are often highly inflated. Another problem is that you have to be within certain coverage zones to get the best connection. If the provider of the best deal does not cover your area you will not be able to get it.
3G broadband is better used by light broadband users. People who send a few emails and do limited web surfing each day will be able to survive with this. Heavier users will find the data limits too low and the speeds too slow. Most 3G broadband packages will have between 3GB and 15GB of data allowance. A 3GB allowance will allow you to either:
Download 15 4 minute videos
Send 3000 very basic emails
Download 96 average length music tracks
Surf the internet for around 30 hours
The cost of purchasing more data is often much more expensive than on a fixed line connection.
4G mobile broadband
4G broadband is seen as the more realistic mobile alternative to fixed line broadband. The reason for this is that the speeds of this connection are more comparable to fixed line connections. However, the problem at the moment is the coverage of the 4G network. There are only a couple of providers who offer this type of connection. The coverage of these providers is also very limited making this option not viable at this point in time.
Satellite broadband
Satellite broadband is considered to be the last option for people who cannot get any other kind of connection. This broadband is riddled with problems which makes it an unattractive option to others who are able to get other alternatives. Satellite broadband will be slower than normal connections and it is less reliable. However, even with the problems it has this option will remove the need for a phone line.
Which providers should you look at?
The providers available will depend on the type of connection you are looking for. Fibre optic connections will come from different providers to mobile and satellite connections. Knowing which providers are available will make your browsing easier and quicker.
If you are thinking of getting fibre optic broadband there are a few providers you can look at:
BT Infinity
EE
Plusnet
Sky Fibre
TalkTalk
Virgin Media
3G mobile broadband can be provided by any mobile phone company. These companies will include 3 Mobile, Vodafone and Virgin Mobile. Getting mobile broadband from our mobile carrier may bring better deals.
In the UK the most reliable provider of 4G broadband connections is EE. EE is the parent company of mobile providers Orange and T-Mobile in the UK. This means that it is possible to get 4G mobile broadband from EE as well as Orange and T-Mobile.
No matter the route you are looking to use you should consider if broadband without a phone line is really for you. While it might seem like an attractive option it is imperative that it suits your lifestyle.
Sam Jones liked the idea of having broadband without a phone line, so he decided to see what offers were available. He checked out uSwitch and some other online price comparison sites to get a really great deal.
This article is copyright free.