Cable v. DSL

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Nov 17, 2003 Posts: 3

Sorry to twist the argument a bit, but I just find something curious. In order for you to have DSL, don't you need to have an active telephone line in the first place? hence defeating the purpose of Vonage?

In my area, I had Earthlink DSL and I wanted to drop my Verizon phone line to replace it with Vonage because I had Earthlink DSL. I then discovered that Earthlink DSL would not work if I dropped my regular Verizon phone service. So, I had to keep my phone line for some time until Cable modem was available and then I was able to disconnect my Verizon phone line and install Vonage over the cable modem.

It seems to me that if you have DSL it makes almost no sense to get a Vonage line since you have to have a working phone line in the first place.

Posts: 41 · Full Forum Member Joined: 1064934432 Posts: 41

bobolito:
Both DSL and Cable come with *baggage*. With DSL you need to have at least a basic phone connection and with Cable you need to be a Cable TV subscriber or pay an access fee (at least I do, anyway).

Here's how it breaks down for me:
- If I want DSL and Vonage, I can get an ultra-basic phone connection for about $14 a month. That basic phone connection gives me local calling and NOTHING else.
- If I want Cable and Vonage, the cheapest way I can go is to pay the $10/month access fee.

The total cost difference is only $4/month which is not that big of a deal. I don't actually have DSL available in my area, so I don't have a choice. I would probably still go with Cable because I can then disconnect the phone companys' line to my house and plug my ATA into my house wiring for greater convenience.

Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder... Shocked