How to Get Internet without Cable or a Phone Line

Gone are the days when you needed to be tethered to phone or cable lines to get good internet service. Now, it’s possible in many places to get a high-speed internet connection without a landline or cable television service.

Depending on where you live, the best options for how to get Wi-Fi without cable or a phone line include satellite internet, fiber internet, 4G or 5G internet, fixed wireless or a mobile hotspot. The prices for these services range from about $40 on the low end to close to $200 for super-fast internet with no data caps.

Here are the pros and cons of different types of internet that don’t use phone or cable and internet services.

Satellite Internet

A leading option for rural areas, satellite internet only requires exposure to the southern sky to connect with a satellite orbiting around the exosphere. This signal can provide internet access to your computer, phone, television and other devices.

However, satellite internet can come at a cost—both in terms of higher fees and slow, unreliable internet connections. If there is a good alternative where you live, satellite internet probably shouldn’t be your first choice. On average, satellite internet costs about $80 per month. It’s possible to get a higher data cap for a fee, but unlimited data isn’t widely available through satellite internet.

Pros

Available in very rural areas
Does not require a significant start-up expense
Offers good internet security

Cons

Low data caps and iffy internet connections
Video calls, downloads and videos games may not be possible
Relatively expensive monthly fees

Fiber Internet

Fiber internet is unmatched when it comes to download speeds and overall internet performance. If fiber is available to you, this option still needs a wired connection—but you don’t need an existing phone or cable line.

When it comes to actual performance, there aren’t many downsides to fiber internet. The price is also comparable to many other plans. The catch is that only 43% of the country has fiber internet coverage options. For the other 57%, it is still a waiting game to see when fiber internet will be available.

Pros

Incredibly fast and reliable
Competitive monthly prices
No internet throttling

Cons

Not available for the majority of the country
Damage to fiber cables is possible
May require an installation payment

4G Internet

If you have cell service in your home, 4G LTE home internet should be an option for you. At an average cost of $40 to $60 per month, this is also an appealing low-cost internet option. However, download speeds don’t come anywhere close to 5G or fiber internet—so it’s important to take into consideration how you want or need to use the internet.

Pros

Widely available through cell service providers
Low monthly fees

Cons

Slower download speeds than 5G or fiber
Must be in an area with reliable cell service

Fixed Wireless Internet

Similar to radio or television, fixed internet works by getting a signal from a communication tower in your area. It can offer fast internet service even in rural areas—as long as there is nothing big blocking the line between your home and the communication tower. The upside is that you do not need cable or phone lines to get started and getting set up with the system is pretty simple.

Although download speeds with fixed wireless internet don’t come close to comparing to 5G or fiber internet, it can be a good option. On average, fixed wireless internet costs about $60 per month. However, cost may vary significantly with local providers in many areas.

Pros