Paying for a landline you never use? Many Irish broadband options now work without a phone line. Here's how to get internet-only service.
Quick Answer: Broadband Without Landline
| Provider | Technology | Speed | Price | Landline? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Media | Cable | Up to 2Gb | €35-55/mo | No |
| Vodafone (SIRO) | Fibre | Up to 2Gb | €25-50/mo | No |
| Three 5G | Wireless | Up to 300Mb | €35/mo | No |
| Imagine | Fixed wireless | Up to 150Mb | €40-60/mo | No |
| Starlink | Satellite | Up to 200Mb | €99/mo | No |
Why Landlines Still Exist
Many broadband connections use the old copper phone network:
- Open Eir FTTC (fibre-to-cabinet) uses copper for the last stretch
- The "landline" is the physical connection, even if you don't use the phone service
Good news: Newer technologies bypass this entirely.
Option 1: Virgin Media Cable
Best for: Urban/suburban areas in Virgin coverage
Virgin Media uses cable infrastructure—completely separate from the phone network.
Pros:
- No landline required
- Fast speeds (up to 2Gb)
- Standalone broadband available
Cons:
- Limited coverage (~50% of Ireland)
- Year-two price doubles
- Customer service complaints
Price: €35-55/month
Coverage: Check virginmedia.ie with your eircode
Option 2: SIRO Fibre
Best for: Areas with SIRO network
SIRO runs fibre through ESB electricity poles—no phone line needed.
Providers on SIRO:
- Vodafone
- Pure Telecom
- Sky
- Digiweb
Pros:
- True fibre-to-home
- No landline required
- Up to 2Gb speeds
- Multiple provider choices
Cons:
- Limited to SIRO coverage areas
- ~50 towns currently
Price: €25-55/month depending on provider
Coverage: Check siro.ie with your eircode
Option 3: NBI (National Broadband Plan)
Best for: Rural areas in NBI rollout zones
The National Broadband Plan brings fibre to rural Ireland without needing a landline.
Providers on NBI:
- Digiweb
- Pure Telecom
- Sky
- Vodafone
Pros:
- No landline required
- True fibre-to-home
- Up to 500Mb speeds
- Government-backed rollout
Cons:
- Still rolling out (not everywhere yet)
- Some areas won't get it until 2027
Price: €35-50/month
Coverage: Check nbi.ie with your eircode
Option 4: 5G Home Broadband
Best for: Areas with 5G coverage
Mobile networks now offer 5G as a home broadband replacement.
Providers:
- Three Ireland
- Vodafone (GigaCube)
- Eir
Pros:
- No landline, no installation
- Plug-in router—works immediately
- Take it with you if you move
- No long contracts (often)
Cons:
- Requires 5G coverage (limited in rural areas)
- Speeds vary with signal strength
- May be affected by network congestion
Price: €35-50/month
Coverage: Check mobile coverage maps for 5G availability
Option 5: 4G Home Broadband
Best for: Areas with 4G but no 5G or fibre
Similar to 5G but using older 4G networks—more widely available.
Providers:
- Three Ireland
- Vodafone
- Eir
Pros:
- No landline or installation
- 4G coverage is widespread
- Portable
Cons:
- Slower than 5G or fibre (typically 30-100Mb)
- Signal-dependent
- May struggle with heavy use
Price: €30-40/month
Option 6: Fixed Wireless (Imagine)
Best for: Rural areas without fibre or strong mobile signal
Imagine installs an antenna on your home to receive wireless broadband.
Pros:
- No landline required
- Works where fibre doesn't reach
- Dedicated home service
Cons:
- Requires installation
- Speed depends on signal quality
- More expensive than fibre
Price: €40-60/month
Coverage: Check imagine.ie
Option 7: Satellite (Starlink)
Best for: Truly remote locations with no other options
Starlink works anywhere with a clear view of the sky.
Pros:
- Available everywhere
- No landline or cables
- Decent speeds (~200Mb)
Cons:
- Expensive (€99/month + €499 equipment)
- Higher latency than wired broadband
- Weather can affect connection
What About Eir Without Landline?
This is where it gets complicated:
Open Eir FTTH (fibre-to-home):
- Pure fibre connection
- Technically no phone line needed
- But providers may still bundle line rental
Open Eir FTTC (fibre-to-cabinet):
- Uses copper phone line for the last stretch
- You're paying for the line whether you use it or not
Ask specifically: When ordering from Eir, Sky, or Pure Telecom, ask if it's FTTH or FTTC. FTTH doesn't technically require a landline.
How to Avoid Paying for Landline
- Check Virgin Media first — if available, no landline needed
- Check SIRO availability — order through Vodafone or Pure Telecom
- Check NBI availability — rural fibre without landline
- Consider 5G/4G — if coverage is good
- Ask about FTTH — even on Eir network, pure fibre avoids landline costs
Comparison: All No-Landline Options
| Option | Speed | Price | Availability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Media | 500Mb-2Gb | €35-55 | ~50% (urban) | Speed seekers |
| SIRO (Vodafone etc) | 500Mb-2Gb | €25-55 | ~50 towns | Best value fibre |
| NBI | Up to 500Mb | €35-50 | Rural (expanding) | Rural areas |
| 5G Broadband | Up to 300Mb | €35-50 | 5G areas | Flexibility |
| 4G Broadband | 30-100Mb | €30-40 | Most areas | Light use |
| Imagine | Up to 150Mb | €40-60 | Select rural | No other options |
| Starlink | ~200Mb | €99 | Everywhere | Last resort |
Summary
You don't need a landline for broadband in Ireland. Multiple options exist:
- Urban areas: Virgin Media or SIRO fibre
- Towns: Check SIRO coverage, then Virgin, then 5G
- Rural areas: NBI, Imagine, or 5G/4G
- Remote areas: Starlink as last resort
Always check what's available at your specific address before deciding.
Last updated: January 2026