How to have Internet without a landline
Let's start this guide trying to understand, together, what are the technologies through which it is possible to obtain an Internet connection without a fixed support line.
You must know that, with the advent of the first Internet connections, it was practically impossible to do without the landline support: the data, in fact, traveled on the same channel which used to host voice calls, only in a different format (which is why, at first, it was not possible to call and be connected to the Internet at the same time).
With the passage of time, technology has evolved: thanks to the ADSL, it has been made possible to surf the Internet and, at the same time, use the fixed telephone line, thanks to a small device called ADSL filter (able to divide the single physical channel into two virtual communication channels).
Later, then, the so-called ADSL naked, that is the "terrestrial" networks dedicated only to the Internet connection, which do not require a support voice channel: this is how the operators were able to offer Internet connection on a terrestrial line, without however forcing the user to activate a support fixed line numbering.
With the advent of digital connections, such as VDSL, fiber misto rame e optical fiber, things have changed again! Currently, as far as terrestrial technology is concerned, it is possible to use a single communication channel, both to obtain the connection to the Internet and for telephone calls: in the latter case, a technology called VoIP (or Voice Over IP) which allows you to make and receive calls on a fixed line with the aid of the router, to which, in turn, the telephone set is connected.
For this reason, as you will soon discover, it is difficult to find an Internet offer dedicated to the "home line" that does not include voice traffic, since the communication channel used for both types of data (voice and Internet) is done, the same.
To date, however, it is possible to have Internet without a fixed line using alternative technologies to copper / fiber optic cable, an indispensable option when, for example, classic telephone operators do not offer coverage in your area of residence: below I provide you with a quick overview of the technologies currently most used.
Onde radio (4G/LTE-A)
In practice, the connection via radio waves (4G/LTE-A) is based on the same technology that dominates the Internet connection via mobile. In this case, the service provider provides the user with a router (or a mini-router) equipped with a data-only SIM card and, if provided, a small external antenna to improve signal reception.
The apparatuses in question connect to gods 4G repeaters dedicated, capable of transmitting and receiving cellular signal, while the latter are connected to the Internet infrastructure via optical fiber (technology mixed fiber radio). Due to the nature of this type of connection, the quality of the service could suffer from the weather conditions in a very incisive way.
Although radio connections are often available where terrestrial infrastructure is lacking, it is always recommended to carry out a coverage check before even signing up for a subscription.
In some cases, operators may do not offer unlimited data traffic, impose limits on maximum speed obtainable or again, prevent P2P traffic to avoid network congestion. Generally, the cost of an Internet subscription based on 4G / LTE is significantly lower than that applied for “terrestrial” offers.
Satellite
The dynamics behind the Internet connections via satellite they are quite similar to those foreseen for the reception of the television signal. In this case, the whole is made up of three elements: i satellites, ground stations and parable, each with a well-defined task.
I satellites (which are located more than 35.000 km away from the earth's ground) transmit the Internet signal to the Earth, using a specific category of radio waves; satellite requests are handled by ground stations (o NOC), which deal both with transmitting requests from the satellite to the Network server, and with performing the reverse operation.
To use this type of link, the end user must install a parable on the home or office concerned, which is able to interact with the NOCs through the signals in transit through the satellites themselves.
Given the wide range of coverage offered by the constellation of satellites, this solution is applicable in most areas "uncovered" by terrestrial connections and, in some ways, is more advantageous than systems based on radio waves.
Because? Let me explain it to you. In the first case, given the nature of the signal, it is essential that there is full visibility between the repeater and the domestic antenna (usually located on the balcony, roof or terrace). In the case of the satellite connection, however, the "repeater" is located in the sky, therefore the signal coverage is always guaranteed.
On the other hand, however, there is some small disadvantage: the latency (or the ping) of the signal is quite high, since the signal has to travel over 70.000 km, between there and back (and this can be a problem for activities such as gaming); furthermore, the weather conditions adverse effects can affect, albeit to a limited extent, the quality of the signal.
As for the availability of data traffic, there are generally no big limits: there are in fact solutions without limits that allow you to reach speeds of up to 30/50 Mbps in download, which I will talk to you about in a short time.
Internet offers without landlines
Now that you understand how Internet without landline works, the time has come to take a look at the best offers of the moment proposed by the various service providers.
Before going further, for clarity of information, I believe it is right to specify that many "terrestrial" telephone operators (such as TIM, Vodafone, WINDTRE e Fastweb), currently do not have Internet offers without a fixed support line. If you are still interested in taking a look at the rates made available by the aforementioned operators, I invite you to take a look at my guides to TIM offers for home, Vodafone offers for home, WINDTRE fiber offers and Fastweb offers.
Linkem
One provider that allows you to have Internet without a landline is Linkem, which allows you to have a home connection based on the 4G / LTE-A cellular network. Linkem offers various ways of joining the service, available both in subscription that in mode rechargeable. In any case, the Internet connection is unlimited (the maximum speed that can be reached varies according to the place of activation) and the Wi-Fi router is provided on loan for free use.
In this case, the offer Linkem Without Subscription Limits, includes an unlimited Internet connection up to 30 Mbps in download and 3 Mbps in upload, the proprietary internal or external modem (depending on the technology available in your case) + specific assistance. In some promotional periods the subscription fee is 19,90 euro / month for the first 12 months, otherwise it is 26,90 euro / month. More info here.
As for the activation, usually this amounts to 100 euros (often, however, it is heavily discounted and sometimes it is made free) and there is a 24-month constraint. By withdrawing from the offer, you are required to pay 23,40 euros for the deactivation of the same and to return the devices in your possession (otherwise you will face the payment of a penalty of 100 euros for each device not returned). Furthermore, if you make an early withdrawal, you are required to pay any discounts used.
In the rechargeable version of the offer, called precisely Linkem Without Limits Rechargeable, you have to pay € 99 one-off to surf without limits up to 30 Mbps in download and up to 3 Mbps in upload for 3 months. To renew the offer, then, you can opt for payment 27 euros for 1 month of navigation, of 78 euros for 3 months of navigation, of 120 euros for 5 months navigation or 240 euros for 12 months navigation. More info here.
EOLO
Aeolus is a service provider that bases its operation on the radio signal, which can be used through a combination of external antenna and router (provided by the operator during the installation of the service).
As things currently stand, the main plan made available by the manager is Aeolus more, which offers unlimited Internet connection with speeds of up to 30 Mpbs and unlimited calls to national landlines and mobiles. The activation and installation of the devices is free in promotional periods, while the modem costs 2 euros / month or 5 euros / month, depending on the equipment chosen (in some periods it can also be included for free in the offer). It costs 24,90 euro / month.
Eolo più can be enriched with extra packages + Entertainment, + Study and Work (these two cost 5 euros / month more with the first month free) e + Security (this costs 3 euros / month more with the first month free) and allow you to reach a browsing speed of up to 1 Gb / s in download and up to 300 Mb / s in upload (based on the activation technology), obtain a static IP and, in some cases, add a digital service for a certain period of time (eg 6 months of DAZN or NOW TV). More info here.
I also point out the offer EOLO When you want which, as its name suggests, allows you to have an Internet connection only in case of need, thus avoiding paying monthly subscriptions. In this case, it is possible to purchase timed top-ups, which are divided as follows: 6,90 euros for 2 days navigation, 9,90 euros for 1 week navigation, 19,80 euros for 2 weeks navigation or 99 euros for 3 months navigation. Also in this case the browsing speed is up to 30 Mbps in download and 3 Mbps in upload. The modem costs 49,90 euros or 99 euros one-off, depending on which model you choose and the installation costs 99 euros. More info here.
Eolo's offers are characterized by a 24-month contractual obligation which, if not respected, leads to the payment of 54,90 euros for the deactivation of wireless technology or 24,90 euros in case of deactivation of the FTTH optical fiber, to which you must also add the cost of the equipment in your possession, as indicated on this page.
Cheapnet
If I had never heard of it, Cheapnet is an independent in your languagen service provider which, in collaboration with Oper Fiber and thanks to CMAX, WiMAX and HiperLAN technologies, offers Internet-only rates also intended for those who live in areas not served by traditional fiber or ADSL.
Its main offerings include ADSL 20 Mega Home, which guarantees an unlimited Internet connection up to 20 Mbps in download and up to 512 Kb / s in upload a 36,90 euro / monthMore information here.
Those who are reached by the optical fiber, on the other hand, can opt for Fibra X 1 Giga Home, which provides Internet connection up to 1 Gbps in download (more info here) or Cheapnet VDSL 100 Mega (more info here) which offers connection up to 100 Mbps. Both plans are characterized by a fee of 36,90 euro / month.
The offers that take advantage of wireless connectivity and which, therefore, are suitable for those who are not reached by ADSL, nor by optical fiber, are various. Among the most interesting there is Wireless 20 Mega Single, which starts from 26,90 euro / month and includes unlimited Internet connection up to 20 Mbps in download and 1 Mega in upload (more info here) or Wireless 30 Mega Family, which starts from 29,90 euro / month and allows you to have an unlimited connection up to 30 Mbps in download and 3 Mbps in upload (more info here).
There is a step up Wireless 50 Mega Smart Single, which starts from 36,90 euro / month and guarantees an unlimited connection up to 50 Mbps in download and up to 10 Mbps in upload (more info here), and the plan Wireless 100 Mega Smart Family, which starts from 39,90 euro / month and offers unlimited Internet connection up to 100 Mbps in download and up to 10 Mbps in upload (more info here).
Activating Cheapnet offers usually costs 122 euros, but is often the subject of promotions that make it free or discounted. As for the ADSL and fiber offers, know that they have a 12-month contractual obligation and if you withdraw, you have to pay 42,70 euros for the deactivation; for wireless plans, on the other hand, there are no contractual obligations but you have to pay 61 euros when deactivating the service, as indicated on this page.
Open Sky (bigblu)
Open Sky (bigblu) is an authorized distributor of satellite subscriptions, whose strength is represented by the presence of various offers useful for having an Internet connection via wireless or satellite.
One of its main offerings is basic is Air 30, which offers a maximum download speed of 30 Mbps starting from 24,90 euro / month. More info here.
As for the offers that allow you to have an Internet connection via satellite, I would like to point out the following plans: Bronze Unlimited, which offers unlimited connection at a maximum speed of 16 Mbps in download starting from 32 euro / month; Silver Unlimited, which increases the maximum achievable speed to 30 Mbps in downloads starting from 42 euro / month e Gold Unlimited, which offers a maximum download speed of 50 Mbps starting at 75 euro / month. More info here.
All three offers just mentioned have an activation cost of 59 euros and offer the possibility to rent the satellite kit starting from 5 euros / month.
How does Internet without landline work?
