# Internet service at home w/o phone or cable tv. Possible? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 30, 2010, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991 "2010-08-30T13:02:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991/1 "2010-08-30T13:02:22Z")
I haven’t had a telephone landline in about eight years. I’m a cell-phone only. I used to have cable tv. I don’t now. I figured it was a waste of money after I literally did not turn on the tv for six months. Also, TimeWarner Cable should be turned to dust and blown away in a wind of righteous fire. When I got rid of cable, I thought I was getting rid of internet too, but then I found I could pick up a mysterious wireless signal on my laptop, and even though I had no idea where it came from, I’ve been using it for about a year. Maybe not a wise thing to do, not to mention the ethics of it, but that’s what I did. Then about a week ago, it started asking for login information. Aha! It was somebody’s private internet connection I was leeching off of, and they finally set up security. Good for them, I guess. But what do I do now? I have no use for either cable tv or a landline telephone. I don’t want to pay for something I’ll never use. How do I get an internet connection - and only an internet connection - in my home? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991/2 "2010-08-30T13:31:05Z")
It depends on where you live. Your profile says Queens, NYC Around here these guys [http://www.clear.com/](http://www.clear.com/) have been advertising a bunch. I don’t know how good they are or whether they’re available in your area. But what they’re selling is what you want. Pure unbundled internet via wireless. I have no idea if there are other similar providers in your area. I’d bet a Google for [WiMax Queens] or [Wimax New york] would tell you a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991/3 "2010-08-30T13:35:59Z")
You can get “naked DSL”, which is DSL service without the phone service. And I’m sure that Time-Warner Cable will be happy to sell you cable modem service alone, although they’re going to push the cable service as well. ---
**Author:** ![Baracus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991/4 "2010-08-30T13:36:37Z")
Time Warner most likely offers internet service without cable, but at a slightly higher rate than with. Whoever your phone provider is may or may not offer “dry loop” DSL service. Around these parts AT&T offers it, although you need to hunt around their site a little bit to discover that fact. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991/5 "2010-08-30T13:42:50Z")
Some cellular services offer Internet. Around here, it is a 1Mb/sec max speed, which is in the very low range of “high-speed” Internet, but still much better than dialup. It’s the only hope some rural customers have other than satellite. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991/6 "2010-08-30T13:46:11Z")
A good place to look is the [forums at Broadband Rerpots(dot) Com](http://www.dslreports.com/forums/all). They are really helpful and others have similar situations as you so you can get a feel at what others are advising too ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991/7 "2010-08-30T13:56:42Z")
I use my cell phone as a modem, cost me about $29.99 IIRC. I can use up to 5 gig of data a month before I get charged more, but have never used more than 2 gig even though I use it for home and work. Download speed is pretty good, but not has good as high speed cable. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991/8 "2010-08-30T14:28:33Z")
I have Time Warner, cable internet only. It’s $43.95/mo - that includes a $3/mo discount for owning my own modem. The normal setup is $46.95/mo and they provide the modem. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991/9 "2010-08-30T14:33:01Z")
In my experience, the big cable companies will certainly cell you internet alone, but the price will be jacked up to the point that it’s only a few bucks more to get TV and/or phone. Still, the option is there. ---
**Author:** ![Diver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@Diver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diver)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991/10 "2010-08-30T15:02:45Z")
I use a Verizon USB aircard (wireless modem) which is sort of a cell phone in disguise - no voice just data. It costs about $59 per month and there is a 5 GB data usage per month limit. Other carriers offer competitive plans. Verizon and Spring have the best broadband coverage at this time. Broadband Access Rev A speeds are: Downloads — typical speeds of 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps Bursts up to 2000 kbps Uploads — typical speeds of 500-800 Kbps There are at least two satellite services - Hughes and Wild Blue. Hughes and I believe Wild Blue has data limits also. Their speeds are a little slower from what I have read. ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991/11 "2010-08-30T16:18:13Z")
Thanks for all the suggestions. My cellphone network is Verizon, so I may do what **Diver** is doing. Maybe I can get a package deal. > [@Smeghead](#): > > In my experience, the big cable companies will certainly cell you internet alone, but the price will be jacked up to the point that it’s only a few bucks more to get TV and/or phone. I figured it would work something like that. Exactly what I’m trying to avoid. ---
**Author:** ![Driver8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991/12 "2010-08-30T16:30:24Z")
I don’t have specific experience with your area, but here in Sacramento I’ve done exactly what you want with both AT&T and Comcast: subscribed only to their internet service. I hate both companies due to Kafka-like customer service but there isn’t a lot of other choice here. The Comcast price has been around $30, so it is much cheaper than bundling with their TV services, which I wouldn’t need. ---
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991/13 "2010-08-30T18:11:29Z")
Virgin Mobile just changed their pre-pay Broadband2Go service to unlimited data for $40 for 30 days. It used to be $60 for 5 gigs and 30 days, so this is a vast improvement. The coverage areas are limited pretty much to metro areas and along the interstates. The good thing is it’s portable. There’s a multiple device wifi modem for $150 and a usb modem for around $90. I got it for internet on trips, but now I’ll use it at home too since it’s faster than my old netscape dialup. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991/14 "2010-08-30T18:57:34Z")
I have DSL through AT&T. I don’t have a landline, my cell is through T-Mobile, and I don’t have a TV. The only way you can find out what’s available in your area is to call and ask; don’t trust their online things that tell you what’s available–ask an actual person. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991/15 "2010-08-30T19:02:35Z")
I have RCN. It’s 10Mbps for $35/mo. Cable internet only, no TV. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991/16 "2010-08-30T19:21:11Z")
I have cable broadband, but not TV or phone. Cox sells their broadband for $45, at least the tier I have, and discounts it $10 if you also have a cable TV plan. Considering that even with the discount, cable TV + broadband = ~$80, it doesn’t seem to be a terribly unfair price point. ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-service-at-home-w-o-phone-or-cable-tv-possible/551991/17 "2010-08-30T23:53:40Z")
I had a Road Runner and cable TV package with Time Warner Cable. Then I switched to DirecTV (the ex wanted NFL Network) but kept the Road Runner service. They charge me about $50/month. I also am cell phone only, no landline. TWC occasionally sends me package (internet plus cable, internet plus phone) but otherwise there’s no issues with using them for internet only.