By What does broadband without a landline mean?
Broadband without a landline simply means getting internet access without paying for or activating a traditional fixed phone line. In France, many broadband offers are still marketed as bundles that include internet plus a landline, even if you never plug in a phone. For expats, this can feel confusing and unnecessary. The good news is that having a broadband connection does not automatically mean you need a landline anymore.
In practical terms, internet without a landline relies on technologies that do not use the old copper phone network. This includes fibre broadband, fixed 5G boxes, and satellite solutions. The internet works the same way for the user, but the underlying connection is different, and so is the pricing structure.
Broadband without a landline is especially appealing if you want more flexibility or lower upfront costs. It is common for people who move often, live in rural areas, or simply want to avoid paying for services they do not use.
Typical situations where broadband without a landline makes sense:
- You do not need a fixed phone number
- You want a no contract internet solution
- Your home is not connected to the traditional phone network
💡 Good to know: Fibre broadband does not rely on a phone line at all. In many cases, you can have fibre broadband without a landline, even if providers still use legacy wording in their offers.
How to have fibre broadband without a landline?
If you are moving to France or upgrading your connection, fibre is often the best option and yes, you can have fibre broadband without a landline. Unlike ADSL, fibre does not use the old copper telephone network. It runs on its own optical cable, which means there is no technical need for a fixed phone line or line rental.
If your building or house is already fibre ready, the provider simply installs a fibre socket and connects your router. Some offers may still mention a landline in the package description, but this usually refers to a VoIP service included by default, not a traditional phone line. You are not paying for a physical phone connection.
Fibre without a landline is particularly well suited for expats who want fast, reliable internet with no legacy constraints. Speeds are much higher than ADSL, and pricing is often competitive, especially when compared to internet only offers on older technologies.
- Your address is eligible for fibre (FTTH)
- The offer does not include line rental fees
- The phone service, if included, is optional
5G home broadband without a landline: a fixed alternative to fibre
A 5G home broadband box is one of the easiest ways to get internet in France without a landline, provided your address is eligible. Despite using the mobile network, this is a fixed broadband solution, designed to replace ADSL or fibre at home when these technologies aren't available. Once installed, the box stays at your address and connects to the nearest 5G antenna, delivering internet through WiFi to all your devices.
This type of broadband without landline does not require any phone line, no line rental and no technician visit inside the property in most cases. Installation is quick, usually limited to plugging in the box and turning it on. For expats, it is a practical option when fibre is unavailable or when you want fast setup without dealing with legacy infrastructure.
Performance can be very good, with speeds that often rival entry level fibre (up to 1.5 Gb/s), but it depends heavily on network coverage and local congestion. These offers are generally sold as unlimited or high data plans, making them suitable for everyday home use rather than mobile or temporary setups.
- The service is linked to a fixed address, not nomadic
- Eligibility depends on 5G coverage at your home
- Speeds may vary depending on network load
Starlink and satellite broadband without a landline: an alternative for rural areas
For those living in rural or hard-to-reach locations, satellite broadband is one of the few ways to get internet without a landline in France. Unlike ADSL or fibre, it does not rely on a fixed phone line or local copper infrastructure, making it ideal where traditional broadband options are limited or non-existent.
Starlink, the new generation satellite service, stands out with high speeds and low latency compared to traditional satellite providers. Installation is relatively simple: a satellite dish is set up at your home, pointed at the sky, and connected to a modem. It's a reliable solution for expats or remote residents who need a steady internet connection without the hassle of line rentals or long installation waits.
Traditional satellite providers like Nordnet, Europasat or SkyDSL also offer internet-only packages, but speeds and data allowances can be more limited. These options are typically suited for light-to-moderate usage and for areas where fibre or 5G coverage is not available at all.
- Installation requires line of sight to the sky
- Data allowances may be capped on traditional satellites
- Starlink offers higher speed but at a higher cost
Mobile broadband without a landline: 4G and 5G pocket WiFi for nomads
For anyone who moves frequently, spends time in a second home, or just wants a flexible solution, mobile broadband without a landline is ideal. Unlike fixed solutions, these 4G or 5G pocket WiFi dongles (also called hotspots) can be used anywhere within the network coverage, making them perfect for expats, travellers, or short-term rentals.
To get started, you need two things:
- A pocket WiFi device or dongle, which acts as a portable modem.
- A mobile data plan, usually provided as a SIM card, to insert into the device.
Many French operators have simplified this process with ready-to-use packages. For example, Orange's Let's Go and SFR Internet Partout offer a complete bundle: a pocket WiFi device plus a pre-configured mobile plan. This means you don't need to buy a separate SIM or worry about compatibility: just plug in, switch on, and you're online.
These offers are usually contract-free and come in different data volumes, from light use to heavy streaming, allowing you to adapt to your needs without paying for unnecessary landline services.
| Operator | Offer | Price | Data |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Forfaits Let’s Go | From €14.99 to €45.99/month + Airbox from €79.90 |
10 GB / 40 GB / 80 GB |
| Prêt à surfer (top-up) | From €10 to €40 + Airbox & SIM Card €59.90 |
5 GB / 15 GB / 35 GB | |
 |
Pack Internet Partout (daily) | €3/day + WiFi dongle €39 |
2 GB/day in Europe |
| Pack Internet Partout (monthly) | €24.99/month + WiFi dongle €39 |
50 GB/month (France) 35 GB/month (Europe) |
|
 |
Forfait clé 4G | €26.99/month 12-month contract + €9.90 dongle |
40 GB/month |
Updated in april of 2026
- Works anywhere with 4G/5G coverage
- Portable, not tied to a fixed address
- Ideal for short-term or flexible setups
Cheapest and best broadband without landline: how to choose?
Finding the best internet without a landline in France is not just about picking the lowest monthly price. For expats, the real challenge is choosing a solution that fits your length of stay, your address, and how you actually use the internet. A cheap Internet offer can quickly become expensive if it does not match your needs.
Here's a quick comparison table to help you pick the right broadband without a landline:
| Type of connection | Best for | Contract | Data limits | Pros |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fibre broadband | Long-term fixed address | No contract or standard 12 months | Unlimited | Fastest, most stable, no line rental, covers 92.62% of the territory |
| 5G home broadband box | Fixed address where fibre is unavailable | No contract | Unlimited or high allowance | Quick installation, good alternative to fibre |
| Mobile broadband / pocket WiFi | Short-term stays, second homes, nomads | No contract | Flexible | Portable, flexible, easy to cancel |
| Satellite broadband | Remote or rural areas without fibre or 5G | No contract or standard 12 months | Unlimited or high allowance | Useful when no other options (but generally slower), available anywhere |
For long-term residents at a fixed address, fibre or 5G home broadband is generally the most cost-effective. For short-term stays, mobile data plans via pocket WiFi provide flexibility without a landline commitment. Satellite remains a last-resort option for very remote locations.
💡 Good to know: For expats, the "cheapest" broadband is not always the best. Prioritize flexibility, speed, and coverage to avoid unexpected costs or poor connections.
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