Ireland’s best broadband only deals

What is broadband-only?

Broadband-only is a broadband deal without a call plan or a digital TV service.

Many broadband providers in Ireland require a phone line to deliver your broadband service, so may offer a call package as part of the broadband deal.

However most don’t require you today for a call plan if you don’t need it.

Can you get broadband without a phone line?

You can get broadband without a landline, but the choice of broadband providers and plans may be limited if you don’t live in a full fibre area.

Some broadband plans offered by Irish providers need an active phone line to deliver a broadband connection like ADSL broadband or part fibre. This cost is bundled in with the price of your monthly contract, so line rental charges aren’t separated from the cost of broadband.

Broadband providers charge for this line rental, which is included in the advertised price, even if you don’t use your home phone.

You can read our guide: How to get broadband without a phone line to find out more.

Does fibre broadband use a phone line?

Part fibre broadband uses phone lines to deliver internet to your home, but full fibre doesn’t need a landline.

Most fibre connections in Ireland are Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC), also known as part-fibre, which means the majority of your broadband connection is fibre optic, but it’s brought into your home by older copper cables.

It’s the reason why line rental cost is included in the overall monthly price even if you don’t use your landline.

However, if you are in an area with a full fibre (FTTH) network, you can get broadband speeds up to 2GB and don’t need a phone line.

Compare fibre broadband plans

How do you get broadband-only without a phone line?

There are several ways you can get a broadband-only plan without a landline, depending on your location.

• Full fibre broadband uses underground cables which deliver fibre directly to your home, so there is no need for a phone line. It is the fastest type of fibre connection with speeds of up to 2,000Mbps.
• 4G and 5G mobile broadband uses your mobile phone signal to connect to the internet. It can be less reliable than a wired internet connection, but it’s landline-free. You need a USB dongle, a SIM card or modem to get online.
• Satellite is ideal for rural areas where broadband cables have not been laid. The broadband signal is beamed from a satellite to a dish fitted to your home.

Is broadband-only cheaper?

If you rarely use your home phone for calls, pick a broadband-only plan or opt out of any call plans offered.

Some broadband providers offer a phone service with broadband as part of the price; for others, a call plan may cost extra or be offered free for the first year.

However, if you use your home phone for calls, it might be cheaper to combine broadband with a call plan. A broadband and calls bundle often comes with features like free off-peak calls, voicemail and caller display, so if you use your home phone for regular calls, a broadband and call plan may save you money.