DSL Internet

[origino]

I have a question regarding DSL. I have had it before and didn't mind it, but was wondering if I needed to get a phone line first? I had a phone line before, but now we don't have a home phone. At&t has service for $25 a month, is that on top of a phone line or does that include it? Just curious and confused at the same time.

 

[GatorDave]

Yes, you have to have a land line for DSL. I'm not sure, but I'm guessing that price does not include the phone service, since they assume you already have it if you're looking into DSL.

 

[origino]

well ok. I just didnt know if it was like cable...i have a cable line but no tv service. i guess its different. sucks cause the only internet here in tyler seems to be DSL.

 

[VacantlyOccupied]

You can get DSL without phone service ("naked DSL") now. They obviously don't advertise it, but if you call and ask for it you can have it.

DSL is pretty cheap, but if you get a faster level of AT&T DSL then you get free wifi access at AT&T access points across the country. This includes many McDonald's and, as of very recently, any Starbucks that has wifi. If you move around and need access around town, this is a nice feature. Even at a speed that includes this service, you're still probably only looking at $35/month or so.

 

[homer]

no, gatordave is misinformed. you dont need to stinking phone line. i dont have one. (this has been around for about a year -- it was requirement to get the sbc/att/bell-south merger approval from FCC)

i have dry-loop DSL or "naked" DSL from AT&T. 23.99 a month. no taxes or fees whatsoever (in illinois). it is awesome.

 

[GatorDave]

Excuse my mistake. The last time I called and asked about it, they told me I had to have a phone line. But that was over a year ago.