Yes - you can get broadband without a landline, and many modern broadband connections no longer rely on a traditional phone line at all.

Whether you need a landline depends on the type of broadband technology used to connect your home.

The simple answer

You can get broadband without a landline if your connection uses Full Fibre, cable, or mobile broadband instead of copper phone lines.

Only older broadband types still need a landline.

Why some broadband used to need a landline?

Historically, broadband was delivered over:

1. Copper telephone lines
2. The same line used for voice calls

This is why ADSL broadband required an active landline, even if you never used the phone.

Broadband types that do NOT need a landline

Today, several broadband technologies work completely independently of phone lines.

1️⃣ Full Fibre broadband (FTTP)

• Fibre-optic cable runs directly into your home
• No copper phone line involved
• Maximum speeds now reaching 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps)
• Most future-proof option

Full Fibre works even if you don't have a phone socket at all.

2️⃣ Cable broadband

• Uses a dedicated cable network
• Does not rely on telephone lines
• Offers high download speeds (up to 1 Gbps)

Availability depends on your street, not your landline.

3️⃣ 4G / 5G home broadband

• Uses the mobile network
• No fixed line installation required
• Quick to set up

Performance depends on mobile signal strength and congestion.

Broadband types that DO need a landline

Some older technologies still rely on phone lines:

ADSL

• Uses copper telephone lines
• Requires an active landline
• Slower speeds (often under 24 Mbps)

Part-fibre (FTTC)

• Fibre to the cabinet, copper to the home
• Traditionally required a landline
• Some providers now offer it without voice services

This is becoming less common as networks modernise.

What about phone services with broadband?

Even without a landline:

• You can still have a digital voice service
• Calls are made over your internet connection
• No traditional phone socket is required

This is increasingly replacing old landlines in the UK.

Traditional phone lines are no longer essential for fast, reliable internet.