Broadband-only packages

If you want to skip out on a landline service or a streaming subscription with your next broadband deal, a broadband-only package might be the perfect solution. This comprehensive guide will help you find the best deal for your household and answer any questions you may have about broadband-only packages. 

Broadband-only, as its name suggests, provides an internet connection with no additional features. These packages are ideal for households who do not require a landline or want to save money by opting out of extra services. 

Almost all broadband-only packages use full fibre (FTTP) technology. Full fibre exclusively uses fibre optic cables, negating the need for a home phone service. However, you can still find some offers that use fibre (FTTC) technology, which requires copper cables to make a connection. These same copper cables are used to operate landlines, which is why many fibre broadband offers come under the broadband and phone packages umbrella. 

Our Home Tech Expert Gemma Ryles’ recommended broadband-only deal

Broadband-only deals are growing in popularity as more people opt out of landline services. If you want a no-frills internet deal, take a look at EE’s fantastic Full Fibre 500Mbps Essentials package for £34.99 per month with no upfront costs. The deal’s speed guarantee ensures you will receive speeds of at least 425Mbps, with the option to leave with no penalty fees if something goes wrong.

Aside from ‘traditional’ fibre or full fibre broadband, there are two types of broadband-only packages: mobile broadband and satellite broadband. 

Mobile broadband comes in several forms, including broadband SIMs, dongles, portable hotspots and mobile routers, none of which rely on cables to provide a connection. These packages are ideal for people who move around a lot or live in areas with limited access to conventional internet connections.

Satellite broadband, similar to satellite TV, is enabled by communication satellites. Satellite broadband packages can be relatively expensive, but they are a useful alternative for those living in rural areas who cannot access full fibre broadband offers. 

Take a look at the table below for a more detailed look at the advantages, disadvantages and average prices of different broadband-only deals. 

The majority of broadband providers offer broadband-only packages, whether it be fibre, full fibre or mobile broadband. To help you pick the best provider for your needs, we ranked broadband-only providers using our Independent Advisor Rating, calculated based on a survey we conducted with over 2,000 respondents^[1]. 

Our comparison tool offers instant access to all of the best broadband packages in your area. If you need more guidance on how to cut down your broadband costs, follow our step-by-step guide below. 

Consider your budget

Before you start looking for your next package, decide what you can and would like to spend on broadband every month. Cheaper offers are generally slower, but smaller providers tend to offer more affordable offers than those from larger companies. Once you have a rough idea of your budget, you can start looking at other factors. 

Check your speed

Use our guide on running a broadband speed test to find out what speeds you currently receive. Knowing your speeds will allow you to determine if you need an upgrade, or if your current provider isn’t delivering on what was advertised. If you’re hoping for a full fibre gigabit broadband connection, remember that it will be more expensive than slower deals. 

Determine what contact length is best 

Generally, longer broadband contracts tend to be more affordable than shorter months, but it’s not worth getting a 24-month contract if you’re moving house within the next year as you will incur hefty cancellation fees. Consider a no-contract broadband packages if you move around frequently, but keep in mind that they are generally more expensive than committing for a longer period. 

Pick the best provider for your area

Not every provider will offer adequate speeds for your area, especially if you live in a more rural place. Ensure you are working with a provider that offers its advertised speeds in your area to avoid overpaying for an underwhelming service. 

Investigate the download speeds

Although unlimited broadband packages are extremely common, you should still check the terms and conditions of your deal. Limited download packages may be unsuitable for your household and make you liable for various fees if you go over the download limit. 

Use our postcode checker 

Now that you have a better idea of how to save on your broadband deal, use our postcode checker to find some of the best packages in your area. You can even filter the results according to your needs to make comparing deals much easier.  

Our survey shows that broadband only packages cost an average of £40.95 per month, with broadband and phone deals being slightly more expensive at £46.87. The most expensive deals are broadband, TV, phone and SIM (£74.47), closely followed by broadband, phone and TV (£62.68). 

This shows that broadband-only deals are the most affordable types of deals on the market, making them ideal for households on a budget. To help gain a better understanding of these deals, we asked our survey respondents how they felt about the value for money of their internet packages. 

Broadband, TV, phone and SIM were rated highest when looking at the “Excellent” responses (22.88 per cent), but broadband-only are more favourable when combining the “Good” and “Excellent” responses (65.81 per cent).

Despite broadband-only packages being one of the most inexpensive options on average, you can still save money by bundling services; broadband, TV, phone and SIM packages had the largest proportion of customers rating them ‘Excellent’ in terms of value for money. For example, you may find that bundling a Netflix subscription with your broadband package is cheaper than subscribing to it as a standalone service. The same can be said for other TV services, such as sports or entertainment channels. 

Broadband packages can also reduce the amount of admin involved when managing various subscriptions and you might find it easier to pay one monthly bill than several smaller ones. 

Consider your household habits and if you can save money by packaging services together, or if paying them separately is more affordable. 

Methodology

[1] Survey of broadband customers aged between 24-64 conducted on Censuswide, 11-14 March 2024. Survey sample: 2,003 respondents, totalling Sky (489), BT Broadband (412), Virgin Media (396), EE (134), Vodafone (124), Other (102), Plusnet (66), NOW Broadband (45), Three (31), Hyperoptic (14), Community Fibre (8), Unsure (7). Respondents were asked to rate each category on a five-point scale, from Very Poor to Excellent, or from Never to Always, with the option of selecting Don’t Know for all questions. For the third question (“What issues, if any, have you experienced with your current broadband provider”) respondents could select from the following: Price Hikes, Slow Speeds, High Prices, Frequent Disconnections, Poor Customer Service, Billing Issues, Other and N/A. The questions used to calculate our score were: “How often, if at all, do you feel the actual speed of your broadband service matches the advertised speed,” “How would you rate your experience with customer service and support from your broadband provider,” ”What issues, if any, have you experienced with your current broadband provider? (Select all that apply),” “How easy or difficult is it/would it be to reach your provider using your preferred method,” “How do you rate the value for money of your broadband service,” “How would you rate the transparency of pricing and additional fees in your broadband service”.