It would have cost me much more in install fees to install a second phone line than to install the cable modem (Cox@home). The monthly charges for the second phone line would have been $12 to $15 per month after taxes. The cable modem service (incl. ISP) costs me $30/month plus maybe $2 in taxes. I own the cable modem which I got for a good price. With the cable modem, my phone is always freed up for voice communication, I have the obviously fast access for only $10 more per month than the average ISP dial-up access and I never spent the money to upgrade my old 33.6 modem to 56k. The way I see it, I came out ahead with my cable modem just on costs alone, not to mention the huge advantages. Something to think about...