Whether you want to keep your landline, or are looking to ditch it for good, there are many options available to you.
Do I need a phone line for full fibre broadband?
A lot of broadband connections transfer data via copper phone line cables. This means paying line rental to keep you connected, even if you’re not using the landline handset in your home. Yet this only applies to traditional ADSL or newer fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) connections. Line rental is different to paying for a landline service. It’s included in most broadband deals and not even listed as a separate cost. There are three other types of broadband connection that don’t connect via phone cables, and therefore do not require line rental, which may be a good option if you’ve neglected your old landline phone and are looking to switch. These include FTTP, 5G mobile and satellite broadband.
Is it worth getting full fibre broadband?
Unlike traditional ADSL broadband, full fibre broadband uses plastic or glass cables rather than the copper wires used in regular broadband connections, meaning landline rental is no longer required. Data is transmitted via beams of light, meaning it travels at light-speed and won’t lag over long distances.
Can I get Fibre Optic broadband at my address?
There are two main types of Fibre broadband, only one requires line rental:
FTTC or fibre-to-the-cabinet
FTTC is the more common of the two, but is often mistake for full fibre or FTTP. As the name implies it uses fibre cables to connect to the local cabinet in the street. From there, copper wires are used to connect it to your home. This type of connection offers ‘superfast’ download speeds but line rental is still required to keep you connected. However, this is conveniently included in Fibre broadband package deals.
FTTP or fibre-to-the-premises
FTTP, also known as FTTH, or fibre-to-the-home, means the ‘full fibre’ cable goes directly to your home. There is no need for copper wiring, and therefore no phone line. It can offer ‘ultrafast’ or ‘gigabit’ speeds. It is the fastest connection you can currently acquire, and allows the equivalent of downloading an entire feature-length film in 1 minute. FTTP providers include LilaConnect. Check if your area is Gigabit-ready here.
Can I get rid of my landline and still have fibre broadband?
FTTP, or gigabit full fibre, does not require a phone line as it has fibre cables that are made from glass or plastic. The benefit of FTTP over FTTC, is that the fibre cables go directly into your property, meaning faster broadband speeds. Also, once PSTN is switched off over the next few years, all telephony will be over ‘broadband’ FTTP or FTTC . If you have FTTC, it’s likely the connection from your local cabinet to your home will be a copper line, so as mentioned above, it will require a phone line. Many fibre broadband packages include landline rental anyway. It’s up to you whether you opt for a handset.
Is there any reason to still have a landline?
Nowadays, it’s not essential. With 5G mobile broadband available in most locations at cheap tariffs, and ‘ultrafast’ fibre optic broadband being rolled out in most areas, landlines are becoming less and less popular in UK households, especially amongst younger populations. FTTC or fibre-to-the-cabinet still requires line rental, but this is typically integrated into your providers broadband package deal, meaning it’s personal preference as to whether you have a physical landline phone. With LilaConnect full fibre broadband, you can save up to £25 p/m on line rental as it won’t be necessary as fibre cables will be connected directly to your property. It’s worth noting that by 2025, many landlines will be switched off in favour of ‘ultrafast’ full-fibre and satellite broadband that’s fit for the modern era. This will apply to both home and business phone lines. So, why not future proof your home and switch providers now if you no longer require a
Is it cheaper to get broadband without a landline?
You can often save money if you don’t select a landline phone plan from your internet service provider and just stick to its broadband-only offering. However, full fibre, satellite and 5G mobile broadband can come at a higher cost due to their ultrafast speeds. It may be that the additional cost of going landline-free brings the overall price in line with what you were paying for a standard ADSL or FTTC connection with a landline. Yet you may be happy to pay more for the lightning-fast, time-saving speeds. LilaConnect offer best value for a full fibre quality broadband service. Broadband providers, such as LilaConnect, incorporate costs into one tidy package. You’ll have a single monthly cost of £34.98, dependant on the download speed you choose and your area. This makes comparing and choosing broadband prices easier. There are pros and cons to having a landline, it all comes down to personal preference, however, if your handset is unplugged, or you never had one in the first place, it may be worth future proofing your home with a full-fibre connection. LilaConnect’s FTTP solution replaces the copper wires used for traditional broadband with the latest technology in fibre-optic cabling. Hopefully this has helped you decide which broadband is best for your household’s needs and requirements. Find out more about residential full-fibre broadband and how you can register to have it fitted in your street here.
