Paying £15-20 monthly for a landline you never use makes no financial sense in 2025. With mobile phones handling all calls, that line rental feels like subsidizing outdated infrastructure purely because “that’s how it’s always been done.”
The broadband market finally caught up with reality. Multiple technologies now deliver internet without phone lines, from Virgin Media’s cable network to Three’s 5G routers. This guide reveals which packages deliver best value, comparing speeds, prices, and real-world performance.
How We Evaluated The Best Deals
Ranking broadband packages requires looking beyond headline prices. Our evaluation considered:
Monthly cost including all fees – Router rental, price rises, and hidden charges affect real expenses significantly
Speed-to-price ratio – Getting 300Mbps for £30 beats paying £28 for 50Mbps when you actually need bandwidth
Coverage availability – The “best” deal means nothing if it doesn’t reach your address
Contract flexibility – Shorter terms or rolling contracts suit renters and people with uncertain timelines
Customer service quality – Support matters when things go wrong at midnight before an important meeting
Installation experience – Quick, professional setup versus weeks waiting for appointments affects user satisfaction
Best Overall: Virgin Media M250
Virgin Media’s M250 Fibre Broadband costs £31 monthly delivering 264Mbps download and 25Mbps upload speeds. This package hits the sweet spot for most households.
Why it wins overall:
– Speeds handle 4-5 devices streaming simultaneously without buffering
– Cable infrastructure means no phone line ever existed
– Free installation saves £35-60 compared to many competitors
– 99.91% network reliability according to Ofcom measurements
– Hub 5 router includes WiFi 6 for better coverage
Real-world performance exceeds quoted speeds typically. Customers regularly see 280-300Mbps during independent testing.
The 24-month contract represents the main limitation. Renters or people planning moves within two years should consider shorter-term alternatives.
Coverage reaches approximately 60% of UK homes. Urban and suburban areas have excellent access but rural properties often fall outside Virgin Media’s network.
Best Budget Option: Plusnet Unlimited Full Fibre
Plusnet’s Unlimited Full Fibre costs £23.99 monthly for 36Mbps speeds. This BT-owned brand delivers reliable performance at basement prices.
Why it excels for budgets:
– Lowest monthly cost among reputable providers
– No separate line rental charges on full fibre
– Free activation during regular promotions
– UK-based customer service wins industry awards
– 12-month contracts provide reasonable flexibility
Speeds of 36Mbps handle streaming, video calls, and browsing for 2-3 people comfortably. You won’t download massive files quickly, but typical usage works smoothly.
The package uses Openreach full fibre infrastructure. Check availability carefully as FTTP coverage reaches only about 40% of UK premises currently.
Plusnet’s support quality exceeds expectations at this price point. Knowledgeable UK teams solve problems effectively rather than reading useless scripts.
Best for Speed: Virgin Media Gig1
Virgin Media’s Gig1 Fibre Broadband costs £50 monthly delivering 1,130Mbps downloads and 104Mbps uploads. This represents consumer-grade gigabit internet at accessible pricing.
Why speed enthusiasts love it:
– Downloads full-length 4K movies in under a minute
– Supports 10+ devices streaming and gaming simultaneously
– Upload speeds enable creators sharing large video files
– Consistent performance during peak evening hours
– Future-proofs for increasing bandwidth demands
Real-world speeds regularly exceed 1,000Mbps during testing. Virgin Media’s separated network avoids congestion affecting Openreach infrastructure.
The £50 monthly cost suits households where multiple people work from home professionally or serious gamers demand zero latency.
Most households never use even 500Mbps regularly. Run honest usage audits before paying premiums for capacity you won’t actually utilize.
Best for Flexibility: Three 5G Home Broadband
Three’s 5G Home Broadband costs £21 monthly with no contract required and unlimited data included.
Why flexibility seekers choose it:
– Cancel anytime with 30 days notice
– Zero installation required – plug in and connect
– No engineer visits or scheduling hassles
– 30-day money-back guarantee for risk-free testing
– Perfect for renters and temporary housing
Average speeds reach 100-150Mbps where 5G coverage exists. This performance handles most household needs adequately.
Setup takes minutes. Unbox the router, plug into power, wait for signal lock, connect your devices. Total time under 10 minutes.
Coverage limitations represent the main risk. Check Three’s 5G map meticulously before ordering. Weak signals mean poor or unusable service.
Building materials affect performance dramatically. Thick stone walls or older brick construction often blocks 5G signals preventing adequate coverage.
Best London-Specific: Community Fibre Core 300
Community Fibre’s Core 300 costs £25 monthly for 300Mbps symmetrical speeds on rolling 30-day contracts.
Why Londoners rate it highly:
– Excellent value for symmetrical speeds
– No contract commitment required
– Free installation in served buildings
– Customer satisfaction leads UK rankings
– Support teams answer within 90 seconds
Symmetrical speeds mean matching upload and download capabilities. Rare at consumer prices, this benefits anyone sharing large files regularly.
Coverage spans 26 London boroughs currently. Availability concentrates in apartment buildings and estates rather than standalone houses.
Customer service excellence differentiates Community Fibre. Engineers visit same-day for urgent issues, and support resolves problems quickly.
The London-only limitation obviously restricts who can access this deal. Check address availability before getting excited about the value.
Best Rural Option: Voneus Fixed Wireless
Voneus delivers 30Mbps speeds via fixed wireless for £35 monthly in rural areas where fibre hasn’t arrived.
Why rural residents appreciate it:
– Reaches locations other providers ignore
– No phone line infrastructure required
– Significantly faster than ADSL alternatives
– Installation included in setup fees
– Month-by-month contract flexibility
Fixed wireless uses radio transmission between towers and property-mounted receivers. Weather-resistant frequencies maintain reliable connections.
Installation requires professional mounting of external aerials. Technicians ensure clear line of sight to transmission towers during setup.
Coverage remains limited to served regions. Check Voneus’s coverage map for availability in specific rural locations.
The £35 monthly cost exceeds urban broadband prices, but rural residents often have limited alternatives between slow ADSL and expensive satellite.
Best for Bundles: Sky Full Fibre + Sky Stream
Sky combines Full Fibre broadband with Sky Stream TV for £32 monthly total – exceptional value when you want both services.
Why bundle seekers prefer it:
– Two services for less than most pay for broadband alone
– Sky Stream provides 35+ channels via internet
– No satellite dish installation required
– Sky Ultimate package adds Netflix and Paramount+
– Combined billing simplifies household budgeting
The broadband delivers 59Mbps speeds handling streaming while family members browse simultaneously. Adequate for most households.
TV content includes live channels, catch-up services, and on-demand libraries. Sky Stream boxes transform standard TVs into smart entertainment centers.
The 18-month contract represents standard length for bundles. Factor this commitment into decisions if circumstances might change.
Installation follows Openreach timelines of 10-14 days typically. Remote activation works for properties with existing infrastructure.
How Different Technologies Compare
Understanding technology types helps match options to your needs:
Cable (Virgin Media):
– Pros: Fast speeds, proven reliability, wide availability in cities
– Cons: Limited rural coverage, 24-month contracts standard
Full Fibre/FTTP (BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Plusnet):
– Pros: Expanding coverage, no line rental, mainstream support
– Cons: Not available everywhere yet, installation takes longer
5G Broadband (Three, EE):
– Pros: Instant setup, ultimate flexibility, no fixed infrastructure
– Cons: Coverage dependent, building materials affect signals
Fixed Wireless (Regional providers):
– Pros: Reaches rural areas, faster than ADSL, weather-resistant
– Cons: Higher costs, limited coverage, requires external equipment
Speed Recommendations by Household Type
Match speeds to actual usage rather than marketing hype:
Single person or couple (light usage):
– 30-50Mbps handles browsing, email, streaming one show
– Best deals: Plusnet Full Fibre (£23.99), Community Fibre Essential (£20)
Small family (3-4 people):
– 100-150Mbps supports multiple streams and video calls
– Best deals: Three 5G Home (£21), Virgin Media M125 (£28)
Large family or heavy users:
– 250-500Mbps accommodates numerous simultaneous devices
– Best deals: Virgin Media M250 (£31), Community Fibre Core 300 (£25)
Professional/power users:
– 500Mbps+ for creators, gamers, or home business operations
– Best deals: Virgin Media M500 (£36), Hyperoptic Ultrafast 500 (£30)
Coverage Reality Check
Provider availability varies dramatically by location:
Virgin Media reaches 15 million homes (60% of UK). Strong urban and suburban coverage but limited rural presence.
Openreach full fibre serves 15 million premises (40% of UK). Expanding rapidly but many areas still await upgrades.
Three 5G covers 62% of UK outdoor areas. Indoor coverage depends heavily on building construction and materials.
Community Fibre operates in 26 London boroughs. Expanding monthly but London-exclusive limits national relevance.
Hyperoptic serves 700,000+ homes. Focuses on apartment buildings in major cities leaving most areas uncovered.
Check multiple providers at your specific postcode. Assumptions based on general availability disappoint when your address falls outside coverage.
Installation Timelines
Setup speeds vary significantly by provider and technology:
Virgin Media: 3-7 days for appointment, 3-4 hours installation time
Openreach providers: 10-14 days activation, 2-3 hours if engineer needed
Three 5G: Next-day delivery, 10 minutes DIY setup
Community Fibre: 5-7 days in served buildings, 4-6 weeks for new connections
Plan ahead when timing matters. Ordering 3-4 weeks before you need internet prevents frustrating delays.
Contract Length Considerations
Balance monthly costs against flexibility needs:
24-month contracts save £5-10 monthly but lock you in. Best for settled homeowners certain they’re staying long-term.
12-month contracts add £3-5 monthly providing middle-ground flexibility. Suitable for people with reasonable stability but uncertain beyond a year.
Rolling monthly contracts cost £8-12 more than fixed terms. Worth it for renters, contractors, or anyone in transition periods.
No-contract options (Three, Hyperoptic, Community Fibre) eliminate commitment completely. Ultimate flexibility when circumstances feel uncertain.
Customer Service Quality Matters
Support quality affects your experience significantly:
BT and Plusnet lead satisfaction surveys. UK-based teams with actual technical knowledge solve problems effectively.
Virgin Media gets mixed reviews. Social media responses work better than phone support with long hold times.
Three’s broadband support operates separately from mobile. Online chat resolves most issues faster than calling.
Community Fibre and Hyperoptic excel at local support. Same-day engineer visits and sub-90-second response times differentiate them.
Check recent Trustpilot reviews before committing. Provider support quality changes frequently as management and policies shift.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Several charges inflate real monthly expenses:
Mid-contract price rises hit every April at most providers. Inflation plus 3-4% increases apply regardless of what you initially paid.
Router rental adds £5 monthly at some providers. NOW Broadband’s £5 fee pushes their £25 package to £30 real monthly cost.
Installation fees range from free to £70. Virgin Media and BT often waive this, while smaller providers sometimes charge.
Early termination fees cost £10-15 per remaining month. Leaving 24-month contracts after 12 months triggers £120-180 penalties.
Out-of-contract rates jump 30-50% when minimum terms end. That £30 deal becomes £45-50 automatically unless you renegotiate or switch.
Making Your Smart Choice
Start with honest usage assessment. Most households overestimate speed needs by 200-300%. Don’t pay for unused capacity.
Check what’s actually available at your address. Many “best” deals don’t reach all areas despite advertising suggesting otherwise.
Read full contracts before signing. Price rises, exit fees, and terms hiding in small print bite later.
Test services during guarantee periods. Most providers allow 14-30 days to cancel for refunds if performance disappoints.
Review annually even if you’re happy. Better deals emerge constantly, and loyalty rarely gets rewarded in broadband markets.
The best broadband deal without a landline depends entirely on your specific circumstances – location, usage patterns, contract flexibility needs, and budget priorities. Virgin Media M250 wins for most households balancing speed, price, and reliability. Budget-conscious users should choose Plusnet Full Fibre. Londoners benefit from Community Fibre’s exceptional value. People needing flexibility thrive with Three’s 5G Home Broadband. Match the recommendation to your situation rather than assuming one option suits everyone.
