To those who have it with DSL service, I have a question for you... I am thinking about switching over to them, but have one main concern. Do I still have to keep a 'phone line' when I use their service in order to keep using my DSL? I currently have AT&T -- formerly SBC -- and have their DSL service. I guess my question is this: Can I switch over to Vonage, and keep my DSL service, without having to keep paying for a phone line? I know Vonage is a phone service over broadband, but my confusion is as to whether or not I would have to keep paying AT&T for the home phone line just so I can keep my DSL service. Thanks for the help...
I don't have Vonage, but I do know that it's possible to get DSL service without having phone service. I don't know if AT&T will do it, but someone like Speakeasy (or other Covad resellers) will do it. It's called a "Dry Line", and it costs $5 more per month. I've had speakeasy on a dry line for 4 months now and it's been great. BTW, you might want to check out other VOIP providers as well. I don't know if you can get SunRocket where you are, but they are awesome.
I looked into this recently. I didn't see anyone successfully get "naked DSL" in Houston. I checked with AT&T or SBC, can't remember, and Oplink. I never checked with Speakeasy. I love Vonage. I installed it for my parents and dropped their monthly phone bill from $45/month to about $19, with many more features. The $15 monthly plan turned out to be perfect for them, since incoming calls are free. If you do get a "dry line" please post which company offers it. Roadrunner is overkill for my parents, it'd be nice to drop their internet bill as well.
Do you plug your phone directly to the Vonage phone adapter? If so, wouldn't that limit the number of phones available for use?
If you're asking what I think you're asking, you can get around this two ways. (1) Buy a cordless expandable telephone system, and plug the base unit into the Vonage adapter. Put the expandable handsets around the house. Only requirement is to be near an electrical socket for power. (2) Re-wire one of the existing telephone outlets to accept a phone cord from the Vonage adapter. Then you can use the rest of the outlets in your house normally. This is what Time-Warner Cable did for my parents for their Digital Phone service. I switched them to Vonage shortly afterwards
