How To Get Internet Without a Phone Line or Cable TV

Most internet plans don’t require a cable TV or phone service.

Best 5G provider
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8
Price:$40–$60/mo.
72–245Mbps
Available in much of the US
Easily set up and use
Best fiber internet provider
ATT
AT&T Internet
3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9
Price:$55–$225/mo.
300–5,000Mbps
Available in the Midwest, South, and West Coast
Usually requires professional installation
Best satellite provider
Starlink
Starlink
4 out of 5 stars
4
Price:$120–$500/mo. + equipment costs
40–220Mbps
Available anywhere
Set up yourself
Best cable provider (without TV subscription)
Xfinity
Xfinity Internet
3.7 out of 5 stars
3.7
Price:$19.99–120/mo.
75–2,000Mbps
Available in many parts of the country
Offers both professional and self-installation
Best DSL provider (without a phone line)
Centurylink
CenturyLink Internet
3.3 out of 5 stars
3.3
Price:$50/mo.
Up to 100Mbps
Available in much of the West and Midwest
Usually doesn’t require professional installation
Easton Smith
Sep 25, 2024
Icon Time To Read7 min read

Getting fast and affordable internet is easier than ever—and you don’t need a cable TV or residential phone plan to sign up.

There are several different kinds of internet, but we think the best options for most people are 5G home internet and fiber internet.

5G home internet doesn’t require any cables or wires at all. It’s available in many urban, suburban, and rural areas of the country, and plans usually cost $50–$60 a month for internet service on its own.

Fiber internet does require a wired connection to your home, but it doesn’t require a TV or phone plan. It offers the fastest and most reliable internet speeds and is generally affordable.

Read on to learn how to learn everything about getting a standalone internet plan.

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Best internet plans without cable or phone line comparison chart
Provider
Price
Download speeds
Data cap
Details
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet$60/mo.*72–245MbpsUnlimited
Starlink$50-$5000100-220 Mbps50 Mbps
AT&T Fiber Internet 300$55/mo.Up to 300 MbpsUnlimited
Xfinity Internet$9.95-$75^50-1200 Mbps1.25TB
Simply Unlimited Internet 140 Mbps$50/mo.°Up to 100MbpsUnlimited
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
* w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms.
Plus hardware, shipping & handling fees, and tax. Fully refundable. Depending on location, some orders may take 6 months or more to fulfill.
Above pricing is after $10/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount with a debit card or bank account; if using a credit card, then price is $5/mo more.
^ Pricing for some packages are for the first 12 months. Some packages require a 1- or 2-year contract.
° Speed may not be available in your area. Paperless billing or prepay required. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Get the fastest internet speed available at your location (max speed is up to 140 Mbps).
Our favorite Xfinity deal
deals badge

Save 30% on top streaming services

New and existing Xfinity TV or Internet customers can add StreamSaver for just $15 per month and get Peacock Premium with ads, Apple TV+, and Netflix Standard with ads.

That's three streaming services for the price of one! And the savings are no joke–without StreamSaver, all three services would cost $29.95 per month.

Why get internet without cable or a phone line?

Internet used to be bundled with cable TV and phone plans, but times have changed.

If you want to get Wi-Fi without cable TV or a phone line, you’re in luck. There are plenty of options.

Many cable TV companies—like Spectrum and Comcast—used to sell internet plans bundled with TV packages. Residential telephone companies—like AT&T—used the same strategy. But those kinds of bundles are rarer these days.

Most internet services are sold as standalone plans now. Many companies don’t even require you to sign a contract, so you can get a home internet plan without worrying about being stuck with a huge bill for years to come.

In short, it’s easy to get internet without TV or phone service. With advances in wireless technology, you can get connected even if there are zero wires or cables connecting your home to any wider grid or infrastructure. There are many different options, some of which are easier to set up than others.

We’ll go over all of the different kinds of internet, including the pros and cons of each, right here. Let’s start with the newest and, for many, the easiest kind of high-speed internet: 5G.

5G home internet

Fast, affordable, and user-friendly wireless internet

5G home internet is, in most cases, the easiest, quickest, and cheapest way to get a high-speed internet connection. It doesn’t require cables, wires, or other preexisting infrastructure. Once you sign up, you receive a wireless modem/router in the mail (or pick it up at a store), and you can install it yourself in about fifteen minutes!

5G home internet pros and cons

pro
Pros
pro Affordable price
pro Fast speeds
pro Easy install
pro No cables or wires
pro Wide availability
pro No contracts
pro Great discounts for mobile customers
con
Cons
con Slower max speeds than fiber or cable internet
con Poor availability in areas with weak cellular service
con Less reliable than wired services

There are three major companies that currently offer 5G home internet service: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. You might recognize the names because they all offer cell phone service and standard, wired internet plans.

There are advantages to each company, but we think that T-Mobile 5G Home Internet offers the best alternative for those who want internet without a phone line or cable TV. That’s because it has super fast download speeds, a great reputation with customers, and it’s available in much of the country, including rural areas.

Meanwhile, Verizon’s 5G internet service is much more limited in range, but it does offer unbeatable speeds in the cities where it's available. And AT&T’s 5G service is a decent alternative for those who already have AT&T cell phone service (there’s a big discount for existing customers).

This chart shows the different speeds and costs of each 5G standalone internet plan.

Best 5G Home Internet plans comparison chart
Plan
Price
Download speed
Data cap
Details
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet$60/mo.*72–245MbpsUnlimited
Verizon 5G Home Internet$50/mo.**Up to 300MbpsUnlimited
AT&T Internet$55/mo. ††75–225MbpsUnlimited
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
* w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms.
** w/ Auto Pay. Available in select areas.
†† Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Plus taxes $ fees. Limited availability. May not be available in your area.

As you can see, all three 5G providers share some admirable qualities: Reasonable prices, no contracts, and unlimited data. And all three also supply plenty of bandwidth for streaming Netflix, working from home, and living your best online life on multiple devices at once.

But there is one major price factor that you should consider when it comes to picking 5G Home Internet. Each of the three major providers offer steep discounts to customers who bundle internet and mobile service together. For example, if you have a T-Mobile unlimited data cell phone plan, you can get up to $20 off your internet bill every month!

What is 5G and how does it work?
Info Box

5G is the latest and most powerful wireless network technology. It was built for cell phone companies, but it’s fast enough to power home internet as well. It works like other cell phone networks, by having towers spread throughout the country. Your phone or 5G modem connects with the closest tower, thus giving you a totally wireless internet connection.

Fiber internet

Fiber is the best internet out there, if you can get it.

Fiber sets the gold standard for high-performance internet. It offers the fastest speeds, best reliability, and generally low prices for residential customers.

Fiber internet is different from cable internet, which uses the same cables as TV companies, and DSL internet, which uses phone lines. Instead, it uses fiber-optic cables that are much more efficient. However, that does mean that you have to live in an area where there’s already a fiber-optic network, and it may require professional installation.

Fiber internet pros and cons

pro
Pros
pro Fastest internet speeds
pro Best reliability
pro Relatively affordable prices
pro No contracts
con
Cons
con Limited availability
con Professional installation

There are many great fiber internet providers. Usually, there is only one fiber internet provider in any given city or town. But, if you have a choice, we like AT&T fiber for its low prices and wide availability. Here’s a closer look at some of the top internet only fiber plans on the market.

Top fiber internet plans
Provider
Plan
Price
Download speeds
Upload speeds
Details
ATT
AT&T Fiber Internet 300$55/mo.Up to 300 MbpsUp to 300 Mbps
Google Fiber
1 Gig$70/mo.‡‡Up to 1000 MbpsUp to 1000 Mbps
Verizon
Fios 300 Mbps$49.99/mo. w/ Auto Pay^^Up to 300 MbpsUp to 10 Mbps
500 Mbps$50/mo.Up to 500 MbpsUp to 500 Mbps
Above pricing is after $10/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount with a debit card or bank account; if using a credit card, then price is $5/mo more.
‡‡ Plus taxes and fees. Upload/download speed and device streaming claims are based on maximum wired speeds. Actual Internet speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on factors such as hardware and software limitations, latency, packet loss, etc.
^^ Price per month with Auto Pay & without select 5G mobile plans.Consumer data usage is subject to the usage restrictions set forth in Verizon's terms of service; visit: https://www.verizon.com/support/customer-agreement/ for more information about 5G Home and LTE Home Internet or https://www.verizon.com/about/terms-conditions/verizon-customer-agreement for Fios internet.

With prices starting around $50 a month—or less—fiber is generally the cheapest way to get home internet without cable or a phone line. But keep in mind that there are sometimes equipment and installation fees that you have to pay on top of the standard monthly rate.

Can you get Verizon internet without a phone plan?
Light Bulb

Yes! You can sign up for Verizon’s fiber service, called Verizon Fios, even if you don’t have a phone plan through the company. You can also get Verizon’s 5G Home Internet service without a phone plan, but there is a discount for existing mobile customers.

Satellite internet

High-speed wireless internet available in every corner of the globe

If you live in a truly rural area or in a mobile home, then satellite internet might be the best service for you. Satellite internet plans don’t require a phone line, cable, or any other infrastructure. Just hook up your dish, and you can get a signal anywhere.

Satellite internet pros and cons

pro
Pros
pro Worldwide availability
pro No wires, cords, or infrastructure
pro Easy installation
pro Contract free options
con
Cons
con Pricey
con Slower speeds than wired or 5G alternatives

There are three major satellite internet companies on the market. Starlink offers the best performance overall. The company’s satellite technology allows faster speeds and lower latency than other companies. Its standalone internet plans are expensive, but for those who want the best, it’s a no brainer.

The other big satellite providers in the United States are Viasat and HughesNet. Both offer internet only plans that can get you speeds up to 100 Mbps. But we tend to prefer Viasat because its has better equipment and its stronger overall performance. Here’s a look at all three satellite companies’ plans and prices.

Satellite internet plans comparison chart
Provider
Introductory price
Download speed range
Data cap
Learn more
Viasat Internet$69.99-$149.99°°12-100 MbpsUnlimited
HughesNet Internet$49.99-$94.99***50-100 MbpsUnlimited
Starlink$50-$5000100-220 Mbps50 Mbps
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
°° Offer available to new qualifying customers. One-time standard installation fee may be due at checkout. Minimum 24-month service term required. Equipment lease fee is $12.99/mo. Taxes apply. Service is not available in all areas. Offer may be changed or withdrawn at any time.
*** Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Pricing not available in all areas.
Plus hardware, shipping & handling fees, and tax. Fully refundable. Depending on location, some orders may take 6 months or more to fulfill.

Satellite internet equipment can cost hundreds (or thousands) of dollars. In some cases, like with Starlink, you may need to buy your dish and gateway. If you choose to rent the equipment, that can also add up.

You can easily sign up for satellite internet online. Once you sign up, you receive a dish that can be installed on your house, RV, or other location. With that dish, you get great Wi-Fi without cables or any other wires. Satellite internet generally provides enough speed for streaming and browsing on several devices, though it can struggle with certain tasks, like video conferencing.

Cable internet (without cable TV)

You don’t need a cable TV plan to get super fast cable internet

You don’t need a cable TV subscription to get cable internet. In fact, many customers get standalone internet plans from big cable companies like Xfinity, Spectrum, and Cox.

Cable internet gives customers a fast and reliable connection. The prices are usually competitive, though it depends on where you live.

Cable internet pros and cons

pro
Pros
pro Superfast speeds
pro Reliable connection
pro Affordable prices and no contract
pro Expansive existing infrastructure
con
Cons
con Less availability in rural areas
con Sometimes requires professional installation

There are many cable internet companies out there, offering a huge range of speeds, prices, and contracts. In many areas, Xfinity offers the most bang for your buck, but it’s hardly the only game in town. Here’s a look at what we think are some of the best deals in the cable internet market.

Best cable internet plans

Many homes are already equipped for cable internet. Even if you’ve never had a cable internet or cable TV subscription, it’s possible that a previous resident did. You’ll need to check with the cable providers in your area to see.

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See all of the cable internet plans available in your neighborhood by entering your zip code here!
Provider
Monthly price
Download speeds
Data cap
Learn more
Xfinity Internet$9.95-$75^50-1200 Mbps1.25 TB
Spectrum Internet®$25-$7050-1000 Mbps†††Unlimited
Cox Internet$9.95-$150‡‡‡100-2000 Mbps1.25 TB
Astound Broadband Powered by RCN$20-$55^^^300-1500 MbpsUnlimited
WOW! Internet$30-$185°°°100-5000 MbpsUnlimited
Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change. Data verified as of the article's publication date.
^ Pricing for some packages are for the first 12 months. Some packages require a 1- or 2-year contract.
††† Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter.
‡‡‡ Prices exclude taxes, surcharges, usage-based charges, certain equipment, and other fees or charges, which are subject to change.
^^^ Observed speeds may vary. Exludes surcharges and fees. Equipment extra. New residential customers only.
°°° With AutoPay & paperless billing. Equipment, taxes, data allowance, and other fees extra. Other restrictions apply to usage-based plans.

Signing up for cable internet is easy. Once you’ve signed up online or in a store, you can either install the equipment yourself or wait for professional installation. If you choose to self install, it’s usually just a matter of plugging in a modem and router device to a cable port in your wall.

You can usually cancel your cable TV plan without losing the internet
Heads Up

If you’re currently signed up for a cable TV and internet bundle plan, you should be able to switch to an internet only plan (unless you’re locked into a contract). Just contact your provider and say you’d like to switch to a standalone internet plan. When the customer service agent inevitably tries to convince you to buy a more expensive option, just say no!

DSL internet (without a phone plan)

DSL shouldn’t be your first choice, but it works in a pinch.

DSL internet is one of the oldest kinds of internet connections. It runs through landline phone infrastructure, but you can still get DSL internet without a phone plan. (Don’t worry—it’s not dial-up.) You just have to sign up through a DSL internet provider, like CenturyLink or Frontier.

DSL internet pros and cons

pro
Pros
pro Wider availability than cable or fiber
pro Usually affordable prices
con
Cons
con Slow speeds
con Older technology

There aren’t too many DSL internet providers left these days. Many companies with wide DSL networks have starting pushing newer alternatives, like 5G. But here’s a look at some plans from the top companies that still offer DSL to new customers.

Best DSL internet plans without a home phone plan
Plan
Price
Download speed
Data cap
Details
Simply Unlimited Internet 140 Mbps$55/mo.°Up to 140 MbpsUnlimited
Frontier Internet$64.99/mo.****VariesUnlimited
Kinetic Internet Basic$39.99/mo ††††Up to 100 MbpsUnlimited
° Speed may not be available in your area. Paperless billing or prepay required. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Get the fastest internet speed available at your location (max speed is up to 140 Mbps).
**** w/ Auto Pay & Paperless Bill per month for 24 mos. One-time charge on disconnect applies.
†††† With $5 Auto Pay for each month the customer is enrolled in AutoPay. Limited-time, non-transferable offer for residential customers that may not be combined with other promotions. Credit restrictions may apply. Subject to availability.

DSL plan prices skew higher than many fiber internet, 5G, and cable internet plans listed in this article. But DSL offers way less: Slower speeds (DSL can’t really go much above 50Mbps), spottier reliability, and sometimes even long term contracts.

In short, we don’t recommend DSL unless it’s the only option. In many rural areas, DSL used to be the only game in town, but 5G home internet offered by companies like T-Mobile is starting to change that.

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See all the alternatives to DSL internet in your neighborhood by entering your zip code here.

Methodology

We like to back up everything we write with verifiable data and feedback from real customers. For this article about getting internet without a phone line or cable, we began by looking at all of the different kinds of internet service. We examined which ones offered standalone internet plans and then found the best providers in each category.

We chose our top providers based on the following criteria.

  1. Internet performance (speed and reliability)
  2. Price
  3. Availability
  4. Ease of installation and set up
  5. Customer service recommendation

We hope that we helped you find the perfect Wi-Fi plan for your household. Please let us know if we missed anything by clicking on the Contact Us button below.

Easton Smith
Written by
Easton has worked as a freelance writer and researcher for several years, reviewing health, lifestyle, and technology products. He has probably read more Terms of Use contracts than any human alive. When he’s not sitting in front of a computer, Easton spends his time camping, climbing, and volunteering with humanitarian aid organizations.

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