How to get internet without cable

In the past, most people purchased internet with cable. This was mainly out of necessity because the internet was connected via cable. But with the advent of new internet technologies, it’s now quite common to get a reliable internet connection without cable TV or a phone line.

To purchase internet without cable, expect to pay an average of $46 per month for a basic package and as much as $200 per month for a faster connection. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the pros and cons of the various types of internet that don’t require cable or a landline connection.

“It’s absolutely possible to get internet without cable or a phone line,” said Eric Plam, president at Solis, a company delivering mobile internet in more than 135 countries.

But how you get internet without a cable connection will depend on where you live. The best options include fiber, 4G or 5G, fixed wireless, mobile hotspots and satellite internet. Except for satellite, these technologies have yet to be available everywhere, so you may have to vet local options.

If you’d like internet without cable, there are several internet-only options available to you. Here’s an overview of each type of internet that doesn’t rely on a cable or phone line:

Satellite internet offers coverage by routing your internet connection through satellites orbiting the Earth. It’s available even in rural or remote areas but can have high latency (or lag) due to the great distances the signal must travel.

It’s also more expensive than other types of internet. You’ll pay $50 to $150 monthly for satellite internet, roughly $50 to $100 more per month than other internet-only technologies.

Pros

Cons

Fiber internet flows through glass fiber optic cables and can reach speeds of up to 10 Gigabits (Gb), or 10 billion bits, per second. Fiber internet is known for the lack of throttling due to its impressive speed and bandwidth capabilities. This means you don’t have to worry about your provider slowing down your connection to limit the bandwidth used.

While fiber internet is the fastest and most reliable option, availability is limited. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), fiber internet is only available to roughly 36% of Americans. Costs for fiber are $63 per month on average, comparable to other types of internet.

Pros

Cons

4G internet is the fourth generation of wireless internet technology. It uses antennas to transmit data through radio frequencies and provide an internet connection to mobile devices. It can be slower than other types of internet, with download speeds between 5 and 12 megabits per second (Mbps), and upload speeds of only 2 to 5 Mbps.

However, 4G can be an affordable way to get internet without cable. Plans cost just $65 per month on average. However, be careful of data caps. If you exceed these limits, you may end up spending more.

Pros

Cons

5G is the newest generation of internet. It’s up to 200 times faster than 4G technology, delivering up to 20 gigabits per second (Gbps) in ideal conditions. As the newest internet technology in the market, it isn’t available everywhere yet, but efforts to scale 5G are picking up speed. Coverage is forecasted to reach 85% of the global population by the end of 2029.

5G comes with cybersecurity risks, mainly because the network is hosted on the cloud. This distributed design outsources security to a variety of vendors, increasing the number of vulnerabilities in the network.

Costs for 5G are comparable to 4G at just $57 per month.

Pros

Cons

Fixed wireless internet is similar to satellite but routes internet connections through towers instead of satellites, offering better speeds and potentially lower latency. Like satellite, it provides reliable connections in rural areas but at a cheaper cost. This type of internet costs an average of $52 per month.

Pros

Cons

Mobile hotspot internet relies on a hotspot device, which acts as a personal and portable router connecting you. Like your phone, mobile hotspots use a cellular signal to connect to the internet and are vulnerable to data leaks and breaches by bad actors in your vicinity.

Still, mobile hotspot internet is a good option for those on the go. It doesn’t require any equipment other than the router itself, making it an easy way to connect to the internet. Mobile hotspots cost an average of $224 for the router, and plans cost an average of $40 per month.

Pros

Cons

As you look for an internet plan without cable, keep these factors in mind.

Not every type of internet is available everywhere. If you live in a rural or remote area, your options will be more limited than those of someone in an urban city. Do your research and find out what types of internet are offered near you.

The cost of internet without cable varies. Look at your budget to determine how much you can comfortably spend on internet per month. Mobile hotspot internet, for example, is less expensive than fiber or satellite internet.

“Be aware of data limitations, especially with mobile hotspot and 4G options,” said Plam. Internet service providers can slow your connection speed and add on extra charges once you use more than your allotted data, so it’s best to know your cap and track your usage throughout the month.

Data caps are essential to consider if your household has multiple users and devices.

Some internet options require renting or buying equipment like modems and routers, adding to your overall cost. Find out about equipment fees, as they can add up quickly.

Plam explained that fiber and fixed wireless may require professional installation, incurring additional fees. You can install internet on your own and save some money if you’re tech-savvy, or opt for a type of internet that doesn’t require additional equipment if you’re not.

Stability and consistency of the connection are important to factor in, too — especially if you work remotely or depend on the internet regularly. 4G internet, for example, is less reliable than fiber internet.

If you’re in the market for internet without cable, the right option depends on your unique needs. Here are a few options to explore:

Mobile hotspots offer flexibility and work where other options might not. You might also benefit from fixed wireless internet and satellite internet.

“Fiber offers the fastest and most reliable connection, but check availability,” said Plam. Fixed wireless can be a good alternative. It’s easy to install in built-up areas and less expensive than other options like satellite.

According to Plam, mobile hotspots can be very cost-effective, especially with a lifetime data plan. Other budget-friendly options are 5G and 4G internet, as long as you’re careful with your data.