Why do I need a landline?

notgreatatsavingmoney

I'm looking around at internet providers and keeping being told I have to have a landline, could someone advise if this is true and if so why?

I thought the ays of internet via the phone line had gone. Is it just a way of keeping £120+ a year of my money?

I don't use a landline anymore due to the mobile era!

Thanks

iniltous

Depends what type of internet access you want, if you dont want a landline you can get mobile 3g type internet on your mobile or other device using a 3g dongle, tends to be expensive if you download lots though, if you are calling ISPs about adsl type broadband then a landline is required to deliver the broadband service to your home, and as BT have provided and have to maintain that line, then they are due line rental on it, regardless if you pay them directly or indirectly...if you have Virgin Media cable in your area, you can have broadband without a 'landline' but its no cheaper than broadband and line rental combined from other providers

penrhyn

How do you imagine broadband is delivered to 99% of the population if not via a landline or cable?

notgreatatsavingmoney

Hi, let me update my query. I know bb is moving away from telephone line and to cable. I'm happy with cable but I don't have a need for a home telephone, yet I seem to find I have to have a telephone line? I'm far from an expert so please correct me I incorrect

miss_scrooge

Most internet companies say you have to have a landline because thats what broadband gets run through it, otherwise it doesn't work.The only company I know that you don't have to have a landline is virgin because they use fibre optic cable.I have virgin because have no use for landline same as you also can't afford to put landline in just to get broadband.

penrhyn

notgreatatsavingmoney wrote: »

Hi, let me update my query. I know bb is moving away from telephone line and to cable. I'm happy with cable but I don't have a need for a home telephone, yet I seem to find I have to have a telephone line? I'm far from an expert so please correct me I incorrect

Sorry but what gave you that idea, if you mean products like BT Infinity then its FTTC, you still get a copper pair into your home, and you'll still pay a rental for it.
Virgin cable is much the same.

notgreatatsavingmoney

Thanks penrhyn! My post on here was very much a question rather than me making a point. I want to try bt's new service and now I know the original landline is required I no longer feel like they're try to make a quick buck and will probably give it a go!

visidigi

miss_scrooge wrote: »

Most internet companies say you have to have a landline because thats what broadband gets run through it, otherwise it doesn't work.The only company I know that you don't have to have a landline is virgin because they use fibre optic cable.I have virgin because have no use for landline same as you also can't afford to put landline in just to get broadband.

Indeed you don't have to have a landline with Virgin on cable - they charge a premium on it versus taking bb and phone line though as theres no additional costs they will gain from you if you are a bb only user.

property.advert

Overseas you do not have to take telephony services and line rental can be as low as pence, not pounds. You only pay for your broadband. You can of course chose a telephone package but it is not compulsory.

Internet can also be delivered through the satellite system. I would have thought Sky's next satellite might offer this capability, meaning you could ditch your landline permanently but I am not sure about transmission speeds versus the new high speed FTTC options.

bordercars

I can see the OP point. bb comes down a line, why cant the BB fee cover a portion of line rental if you want to go that way, rather than force a phone contract on you. my BT home line also does bt vision etc, we have free evening and weekend calls, but never use the phone. Mistake there, you have to make a number of calls to maintain the free "ness" if not you get charged for not using it. I call my business number once a week now and listen to the answer machine to qualify.

Gloomendoom

property.advert wrote: »

Internet can also be delivered through the satellite system. I would have thought Sky's next satellite might offer this capability, meaning you could ditch your landline permanently but I am not sure about transmission speeds versus the new high speed FTTC options.

A friend of mine has satellite 'broadband'. It is painfully slow.