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

How do you get high-speed internet without cable or a phone line?

Getting a 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.

Jump to:

• Cable
• DSL
• Fiber

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

Data as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
** Prices and speeds differ in some areas
† 2 yr. contract required. No-contract option available for $59.99/mo.

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.

Below, we’ve listed DSL providers and how you can get our recommended internet plans for each—with relevant stats.

Top DSL internet-only packages

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 Verizon Fios for its high customer satisfaction, followed by AT&T for its high performance. But all of the following providers serve up fiber internet without side dishes.

Top fiber internet-only packages

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 100 Mbps. Check out their two most comparable plans in the following table.

Top satellite internet-only packages

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.

Top fixed-wireless internet-only packages

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.

Wireless hotspots

Many internet providers offer wireless hotspots across the US—including Xfinity, Cox, and Spectrum . Provider Wi-Fi hotspots let you use 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 hotspots 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.

Just park close to the buildings and don’t leave your car during the pandemic—isolation works.

Final take

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 25 to 1,200 Mbps and a 1.2 TB data cap. It also has a superfast fiber plan (Gigabit x6 gets up to 6,000 Mbps) that hardcore gamers and streamers will love—if they can afford $299.95 a month.

We also really like Xfinity’s XFi Gateway modem/router combo. And having only internet service through Xfinity qualifies you for Xfinity Flex, the provider’s free combination streaming device and service. With tons of live and on-demand content, Flex is a great replacement for cable TV.

How to get internet FAQ

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.