...We just got Vonage for phone service & DSL from Verizon. We thought we could just have one phone line for both but Verizon says if we drop their line they will charge us a lot more for the DSL. They want their line dedicated only to the DSL. Vonage said to call them & tell them we just want a "metered" connection.

I'm confused....can anybody explain this to me?

 

That's one of the problems with Vonage is that they sell you a service but can't/won't deliver it to you unless you are already paying for a broadband service. Yet they still claim to be an inexpensive phone service. The extra charge that Verizon wants to do is typical for DSL and even cable broadband providers. Most, if not all, cable providers will charge more for broadband of you don't want their cable TV service also. This is because the broadband service is piggybacked off their basic service (ie cable TV or dial tone). The cable company here charges more for broadband only because they have to send out a Tech to put a filter on your line so you won't get free cable TV. DSL is based on a standard phone circuit so if you don't want that then they will have to set up an Ethernet circuit which is considered an "engineered circuit" which costs more and is usually for businesses (so they charge more!).

 

Are you stuck in a contract? If so expect to pay big bucks.

I'm done with the phone company's forever. I have cell phones and dont need their services any longer.

My internet comes from my cable modem provided by my cable service, and I couldn't be any happier.

 

You want what is commonly referred to as "naked DSL".

Try googling that with your carrier.

Steve

 

Hmmmm....sounds stimulating...Can I get the Playboy channel on that?

Thanks for the advice guys...

This whole experience with Verizon has been a battle & I'll be glad when it's over.

 

right on brother were in the same boat, its been like that for me for a couple of years now.

 

I work for AT&T, and we just began offering stand-alone DSL service.

I'm not the kind of guy to toot his companies horn, but I have it and I'm quite pleased with it. Much more satisfied than I ever was with Comcast's cable based broadband, even thought the advertised speed is less than half of what Comcast provided.

I find it much more reliable and affordable. I'd consider looking into it just because it may be an option. Makes sense to check all your options when shopping around.