Do I need regular phone service to connect DSL?

[SuperTool]

Hi. I just moved to new apartment, and I am perfectly happy with my cell phone as my only voice communications device.
I have a phone line going into my apartment, I just haven't ordered any service to it.
I want to connect earthlink DSL, and the rep said I need a home phone to do it.
Is that true? I just want to connect the DSL without the phone. Why is that not possible?

 

[anime]

because you need to get connected to a local phone carrier before you can get any DSL.
And the only way they can check you are qualified for a DSL is thru phone number. So they can check how far are you from the your local phone office central switch box in the area. Other than that DSL service have to run on top regular phone service. Basicly no phone-no DSL.
In my area- you have to be careful on who you pick for your local phone service provider--choose the wrong one--NO DSL available for you.

 

[AKA]

You dont have to have phone service to have DSL.

However, you do if its through the phone company or it uses line sharing. Some Clecs dont require phone service through phone company.

Check into Newedge Networks.. if they are available in your area you can get DSL without getting phone service.

 

[ojai00]

It would be much better if you got a cable connection, if it's available. You'll be up and running within a week, as opposed to the 30 days or longer with DSL.

 

[SuperTool]

The problem with cable is that the cable television line was left connected after the previous tenant left, so I am enjoying the free cable. I fear that if I order the cable modem, they will use this line for the cable modem, and disconnect my free cable
Also, can I get basic cable and cable modem over the same line, or do I need a separate cable line installed?
Thanks.

 

[gaidin123]

Cable TV and Cable internet travel over the same wire. All the cable guy has to do is add another drop or just split a connection...though I did try to use a cheapo splitter myself once in order to have both the cable modem and TV in a single location and the modem kept dropping the connection until I stopped using that splitter.

Gaidin

 

[JackMDS]

I really like these very Technical Sophisticated Network threads that stem from some kind of NON-Kosher (NYC term) activity.

 

[LucJoe]

gaidin123: Back at another place, when I ordered a cable modem, the guy came, installed it, and left an extra cable with a splitter (don't ask me why). I hooked it up and the cable tv worked. I wasn't paying the bill, so I'm not sure if we were paying for it or not, but I was happy

 

[SuperTool]

OK, I just ordered the cable modem service, and checked the option for $13.99 to install additional cable outlet. Will let you know how it goes.
Also, I bought a lincsys cable modem on buy.com cus I don't want to pay $200 for the ATT provided one. (this one is on the "approved" list)
Thanks, will let you know how it goes.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

for Charter cable internet in LA(by Earthlink), you need to pay $10 extra if you're not cable tv customer.
the very basic cable service without cable box is about $16 a month. so it's better to just order the cable internet service alone.