Do I need a land based phone line for service?

[lovesthewild]

I'm considering (and almost ordered) Directv. However, in the terms and conditions (glad that I actually decided to read one of theses) it states the receiver must be continuously connected to a land based phone line. Is this required? Can I have either dishnetwork or directv without one? All I have is a cell phone, so I may be stuck with cable (yuck).

[imthedevil]

Both myself and my mother use DirecTV without a landline and neither of us has any problems. We both do all of our PPV ordering online because it will go to all of the boxes in the house rather then just the one if you use the remote.

Bill

[lovesthewild]

Thanks. I think what you are saying is that the only reason to have it connected to a land line is for pay per view. The terms and conditions say something about an additional $5 fee if it's not continously connected. That's what is confusing me.

[imthedevil]

When I called and ordered it I told them that it would be a cold day in heck before I had another land based phone line again. The sales person went through the reader about how it costs more to order things by phone, blah blah blah. They never said I HAD to have it.

Maybe with the older model recivers you HAD to have one for guide updates or software updates but that is speculation on my part.

Bill

[johnnysoup]

I think you need for the sports packages. I did a few years back with the NFL ticket.

[Jimbo]

When I called and ordered it I told them that it would be a cold day in heck before I had another land based phone line again. The sales person went through the reader about how it costs more to order things by phone, blah blah blah. They never said I HAD to have it.

Maybe with the older model recivers you HAD to have one for guide updates or software updates but that is speculation on my part.

Bill

Back in the day all the info was related to the access card so they needed a way to see what has been done (changed).

[Jimbo]

I'm considering (and almost ordered) Directv. However, in the terms and conditions (glad that I actually decided to read one of theses) it states the receiver must be continuously connected to a land based phone line. Is this required? Can I have either dishnetwork or directv without one? All I have is a cell phone, so I may be stuck with cable (yuck).

Just call them and let them know that you only have a cell, no landline.
Only difference will be as others have mentioned, you'll have to do your ordering over the phone or online.

There are alot of people without landlines now.

Jimbo

[Cincyray]

Thats correct the phone line is used for ordering ppv with D. With Dish its a different story they use the phone line for software updates. If a phone line is not detected they will charge you an extra $6 bucks.

[joed32]

Thanks. I think what you are saying is that the only reason to have it connected to a land line is for pay per view. The terms and conditions say something about an additional $5 fee if it's not continously connected. That's what is confusing me.

It is or was $5.00 on Dish. I was changing some wiring on one of my HR20s and dropped the phone line into the jumble of wires and couldn't find it. That was before the football season started and I have Sunday Ticket, never noticed anything different on that receiver.

[Joe Diamond]

The phone line thing is a way HSPs screw installers. They offer a certain pay rate for an installation BUT if the phone line is not connected they pay a little less.

Some even insist unqualified beginners run phone lines. If you want PPV you can do it on the internet....If you like CID on screen and you have that service with the phone company connect the line.

After I responded to a service call where the customer had no land line phone but wanted Caller ID I decided some CSRs did not understand the system they were operating.

No phones required!

Joe