Do I need a wired phone number to get DSL?

[Infohawk]

I'm moving to a new building in a new city. First of all, I'd prefer to use a cell phone all the time and not have a home line to save money. I was looking up pricing for DSL on verizon and they ask me for a phone number. Does this mean you can't have DSL without a phone number? I realize DSL uses the phone line but do companies actually require you to pay for the ordinary phone line too? Or is there a way to use the phone line without having actual regular service over it? Thanks.

Edit: I just realized the same question applies to cable. Do I need to have a cable tv service to get cable internet? I don't even have a TV (not interested).

 

[JackMDS]

You need a functional Cable and a Functional Tel. line.

Whether you need to get Phone service or Cable service varies according to the Provider.

Some insist that you would have basic service. Some would charge you extra for the DSL or cable if you do not have basic service. Very few do not care.

Check with the providers in your geographical area.

:sun:

 

[Curly01]

DSL also requires the lines to be copper. Most DSL carriers wont hook you up unless you have there phone service.

 

[Runner20]

Get cable - generally faster and cheaper and no phone line.

 

[imported_Paladin]

Your telephone works on a current loop. The telephone company provides -48VDC. When you pick up your telephone you close the loop to singnal the start of a call. The closing of the loop causes a current (14.6 ma minimum) to flow through the loop. This does two things -- it powers the telephone, and it cleans the telephone line.

Just sitting there, microscopic corrosion sets in at all of the many splices between you and the central office. The current flow zaps this corrosion. Way back when data first started it was run on dry pairs, no voltage. They ran into trouble and figured out the current thing, above, and started applying a separate sealing current to counteract it.

Since DSL was designed to run over an existing telephone line, there is no provision to supply sealing current. While it is technically possible to provide sealing current it would be at a far greater cost than a 1FR and thus is not offered.

Here in LaLaLand, residential measured rate runs under $6 a month, you pay for local calls over a small monthly limit. If your annual income is under $20K you qualify for lifeline and get it half off. This provides and pays for the subscriber loop. DSL is priced only for the digital service and not the actual loop.

This also gives you an emergency backup for your cell service. And, since incoming calls are free, you can have long-winded friends call your landline to save on your plan minutes.

 

[Infohawk]

Hmmm... If I have to pay anyway it seems DSL would be cheaper, although I guess there are ultra-basic cable services too. Does comcast force you to have their television service? They are the provider in my area.

 

[Fiveohhh]

depends on where you're at, I pay $60 for 768/384 dsl, and my friend pays less than that for 3mb/256 and basic cable about 15 miles south

 

[imported_Paladin]

Why so much? QWest offers 1.5M/896K basic internet access $40/month.

 

[Fiveohhh]

Originally posted by: Paladin
Why so much? QWest offers 1.5M/896K basic internet access $40/month.

The only broadband avail in the area is from the only telco in the area, so they charge what they want

 

[Runner20]

Originally posted by: Infohawk
I'm moving to a new building in a new city. First of all, I'd prefer to use a cell phone all the time and not have a home line to save money. I was looking up pricing for DSL on verizon and they ask me for a phone number. Does this mean you can't have DSL without a phone number? I realize DSL uses the phone line but do companies actually require you to pay for the ordinary phone line too? Or is there a way to use the phone line without having actual regular service over it? Thanks.

Edit: I just realized the same question applies to cable. Do I need to have a cable tv service to get cable internet? I don't even have a TV (not interested).

You dont need cable tv or tv to get cable access. Although some cable companies offer you a discharge if you get their cable tv. Go to Earthlink.com and check if they offer cable in your area.

I have Earthlink Cable thru Time Warner and they are the cheapest and fastest provider around.

3mb down and 384kbps up at 29.95 for the first 6 months -- cant beat that

 

[gutharius]

I used to have DSL via Speakeasy.net and did not have to have a phone line. They put a line in for me. All i needed was a previously working phone jack.