How to Get High-Speed Internet Without Cable or a Phone Line

Editor's Note: This story comes from CableTV.com.

Getting standalone internet service without TV or a phone line is as easy as reaching out to your local internet service provider and signing up for an internet-only package.

We’ll walk you through signing up for an internet package from each of the major internet types, plus some alternative solutions you might not have heard of before.

Cable internet (minus the cable TV)

Gasp. Aren’t we trying to avoid the c-word? Yeah, but there’s cable TV and there’s cable internet service.

Cable internet is one of the best internet options — faster and more reliable than DSL or satellite, and it’s available without bundling phone or cable TV service.

When it comes to cable internet, we recommend Xfinity for its fast speeds and Spectrum for its flexible no-contract plans.

Top cable internet-only packages

Here are internet-only packages by provider, internet plan, price, speeds (up to), and data cap.

• Astound Broadband Powered by Grande: Internet 300, $19.99–$45.00/mo., Download: 300 Mbps/Upload: 20 Mbps, Unlimited
• Cox: Go Faster, $69.99/mo., Download: 250 Mbps/Upload: 10 Mbps, 1,250 GB
• Mediacom: Internet 200, $39.99/mo., Download: 200 Mbps/Upload: 10 Mbps, 1,000 GB
• Optimum: Optimum 300, $40.00/mo., Download: 300 Mbps/Upload: 35 Mbps, Unlimited
• Sparklight: Internet 200, $65.00/mo., Download: 200 Mbps/Upload: 20 Mbps, 200 GB
• Spectrum: Spectrum Internet, $49.99/mo., Download: Up to 300 Mbps/Upload: 10 Mbps, Unlimited
• WOW!: Internet 300 $30.00/mo. Download: 300 Mbps/Upload: 10 Mbps Unlimited
• Xfinity: Connect More, $25.00/mo. Download: 200 Mbps/Upload: 10 Mbps 1.2 TB

Data as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

DSL internet

A DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connection is slower and less reliable than both cable and fiber internet, but it’s widely available.

You don’t need a landline with phone service for DSL internet, but you will need to use your home’s phone jack.

If DSL is the only option in your area, be sure to check what download speeds your potential providers offer to your home — most DSL plans max out at 100 Mbps, but some rural areas can’t get more than 10 Mbps.

Read on for our list of DSL providers and how you can get our recommended internet plans for each — with relevant stats.

Top DSL internet-only packages

Here are the top DSL internet-only packages by provider, internet plan, price, speeds, and data cap.

• CenturyLink: Simply Unlimited Internet, $55.00/mo., Download: Up to 100 Mbps/Upload: 10 Mbps, Unlimited
• Windstream: Kinetic Internet, 100–500 $39.99/mo., Download: Up to 100–500 Mbps/Upload: N/A, Unlimited

Data as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Fiber-optic internet

Fiber internet is the fastest and most reliable connection — and it’s the only one that supports equal download and upload speeds.

Its one drawback, though, is that it has spotty availability — your neighbor could qualify for fiber, but you might not.

We recommend Google Fiber as our overall best fiber internet option, followed by Verizon Fios for its high customer satisfaction and AT&T for its high performance.

Optimum also offers the cheapest introductory rates for fiber internet service. But all of the following providers serve up fiber internet without side dishes.

Top fiber internet-only packages

Here are the top fiber internet-only packages by provider, internet plan, price, speeds, and data cap.

• Astound Broadband powered by Grande: 1500 Mbps Internet, $60.00/mo., Download: Up to 1500 Mbps/Upload: 50 Mbps, Unlimited
• AT&T Fiber: Internet 1000, $80.00/mo., Download: 940 Mbps/Upload: 880 Mbps, Unlimited
• CenturyLink: CenturyLink Fiber Gigabit, $75.00/mo., Download: 940 Mbps/Upload: 940 Mbps, Unlimited
• Frontier Fiber: Frontier Fiber 1 Gig, $69.99/mo., Download: 1,000 Mbps/Upload: 1,000 Mbps, Unlimited
• Google Fiber: Google Fiber 1 Gig, $70.00/mo., Download: 1,000 Mbps/Upload: 1,000 Mbps, Unlimited
• Optimum: Optimum Fiber Internet 300, $40.00/mo., Download: 300 Mbps/Upload: 300 Mbps, Unlimited
• Verizon Fios: Fios Internet 1 Gig, $89.99/mo., Download: 940 Mbps/Upload: 880 Mbps, Unlimited
• Windstream: Kinetic Internet 1 Gig, $69.99/mo., Download: 1,000 Mbps/Upload: unavailable, Unlimited

Data as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Satellite internet

Satellite internet is the slowest and least reliable internet service, but it may be the only choice for people living in rural areas.

There are two main satellite internet providers: Hughesnet and Viasat. Hughesnet tends to be cheaper, but Viasat offers plans with speeds up to 150 Mbps.

Check out their two most comparable plans in the following list.

Top satellite internet-only packages

Here are top satellite internet-only packages by provider, internet plan, price, speeds, and data cap.

• Hughesnet: Select, $49.99/mo., Download: Up to 50 Mbps/Upload: 5 Mbps, 100–200 GB
• Viasat: Choice 25, $69.99/mo., Download: 25 Mbps/Upload: 3 Mbps, 60 GB

Data as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.

Fixed-wireless internet

Throughout most cities are fixed-wireless transmitters. Think of them like little cell towers beaming Wi-Fi signals in all directions.

Some belong to internet service providers you may not have heard of, but the signals are even better than 4G — as long as you’re in direct line of sight, with no mountains or skyscrapers between you and the transmitter.

T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T have also launched fixed wireless services that use their 5G networks to bring internet service to your home.

Check out our 5G home internet guide to learn more about 5G home internet services.

Top fixed-wireless internet-only packages

Here are top fixed-wireless internet-only packages by provider, internet plan, price, speeds, and data cap.

• T-Mobile: 5G Home Internet, $60.00/mo., 72-245 Mbps, Unlimited
• Verizon: 5G Home Internet, $35.00-$80.00/mo., 85–1,000 Mbps, Unlimited
• Rise Broadband: 50 Mbps Internet Unlimited, $65.00/mo., Download: 50 Mbps/Upload: 5 Mbps, Unlimited
• AT&T: Internet Air, $55.00/mo., Download: 40–140Mbps/Upload: 5–25Mbps, Unlimited

Mobile hotspots

Did you know you can turn your smartphone into a wireless hotspot? It’s called tethering, and it’s a great way to have a private Wi-Fi signal at your home without a cable internet connection.

You can do this only if tethering is built into your cell plan, so you might want to check with your provider about that first.

Here’s how to toggle tethering on or off:

• iOS: Settings > Personal Hotspot or Cellular > Personal Hotspot. Then click Allow Others to Join and follow the directions to connect.
• Android: Different cell phones run different versions of Android. Look for a search bar under Settings, then search for keywords like “hotspot” or “tethering” and you should be ready to rock in just a few clicks.

Fair warning: tethering will gobble up your data (and drain your battery) if you don’t already have unlimited data.

Check out our best mobile hotspots and best hotspot plan guides for more hotspot shopping tips.

Wireless hotspots

Many internet providers offer wireless hotspots across the U.S. — including Xfinity, Cox, and Spectrum. Provider Wi-Fi hotspots let you use the internet away from home, in public spaces and neighborhoods.

If your provider has hotspots, you may need your internet service account ID and password to log on. Follow the links above to learn more about each provider’s Wi-Fi hotspot offerings.

Free public internet

While the free Wi-Fi from establishments like coffee shops, hotels, and public libraries can be unreliable and unsecure, it’s better than nothing.

Plus, it’s a way to get internet access if you don’t have a working phone or cable line.

Is internet without a cable or phone line worth it?

Whatever reasons you have for buying internet service — and only internet service — you have options. And now, more than ever, it’s nice to have those.

If it’s available in your area, we recommend going with Xfinity. It has cable speeds from 75 to 1,200 Mbps and a 1.2 TB data cap — we also really like Xfinity’s XFi Gateway modem/router combo.

Next up are some FAQs on how to get internet.

Do you need a phone line for internet service?

No, you don’t need a phone line for all the main types of internet service (cable, fiber, fixed wireless, and satellite).

DSL does need a phone jack to work, but you don’t have to pay for a phone line. And dial-up connections are now mostly bogeyman stories you can tell to scare your children.

How can I get Wi-Fi without an internet provider?

There are several ways to get a Wi-Fi internet connection without using an internet provider:

• Using free public Wi-Fi spots
• Paying for hourly Wi-Fi at hotspots
• Purchasing a hotspot from a mobile provider

Do you need a landline for internet?

You can install most types of internet (cable, fiber, fixed wireless, and satellite) without a phone jack, Jack.

DSL typically does require a phone jack — but not phone service. Some call this type of DSL service, where a phone jack is used but the customer doesn’t have to pay for phone service, “Naked DSL.”

Does a wireless router give you free internet?

A wireless router won’t work without an internet connection purchased from an internet provider (but it’d be pretty cool if it did).

What device can I buy to have home Wi-Fi with no internet?

Cellular hotspots are the easiest way to get home Wi-Fi without an internet plan.

Hotspots, which get an internet connection by connecting to cellular data networks, are available from carriers like Verizon and T-Mobile on monthly service plans.

Can you have Xfinity internet without cable?

Yes, Xfinity offers a variety of standalone internet packages with download speeds from 75 Mbps to 6,000 Mbps. Prices and speeds vary depending on where you live, but some packages start as low as $19.99 per month.

Can I get internet without a cable provider?

Yes, many internet providers offer standalone internet plans without bundling in cable TV.

If you’re looking to ditch your local cable or fiber companies altogether, you’ll have to rely on free public hotspots or your cell phone.

Methodology

For this article, our experts selected internet packages from major internet providers based on price, speed, features, and bang for your buck. For more information on our methodology, check out our How We Rank page.