Is it Possible to Get Broadband Internet and Not Have a Land Line Phone?

VDSL is a networking technology that allows very high-speed Internet access over an ordinary telephone line (or sometimes over a fiber-optic line). VDSL service usually includes a special box that can provide Internet, telephone and cable television service, as well as being a network hub and wireless hotspot. Each of these are usually optional, and so a customer can choose not to have landline telephone service if they wish. The largest VDSL provider is AT&T;, through their U-verse service. CenturyLink (formerly Qwest) has a similar service in a number of cities, and Verizon also has a fiber-optic service called FiOS in a few areas. With all of these, telephone service is optional. Many local providers also offer similar packages.

The other major form of broadband service is via cable modem. Typically, a cable provider will offer a package of television, Internet and telephone, similar to a VDSL package. The company delivers these services over the coaxial cable that formerly carried only cable TV. Most cable companies in metropolitan areas of the U.S. now provide these services. The largest cable modem provider is Comcast, via their Xfinity brand. Other cable companies such as Time Warner, Cablevision, Charter and Cox have similar packages.

For customers in rural areas without DSL or cable service, there is the option of satellite Internet. This service uses a dish antenna to connect to a satellite. This service is slower, less reliable, and often more expensive than the above options, but can be useful in areas where other services are unavailable. Satellite Internet services typically don't offer telephone service. The major providers of this service are HughesNet, StarBand and WildBlue.

In addition to these three methods, there are some other ways to get online. One option is municipal wireless. Many cities around the country provide high-speed wireless access as a public service, usually in downtown areas with high population densities, and often free or at very low cost. A wireless card is all that you need. In areas with good cellular phone coverage, it is often possible to use one's cellphone as a modem by "tethering" a computer to it over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. However, this method often incurs additional charges with the cellular provider.