Phone line requirements for Dish Network

[migoblu]

I am having Dish Network installed and I was told I needed a phone line to connect to the satellite box. I have only one phone outlet in the house and it is not in the rooms where I have my TVs. I was told that if I didn’t have the satellite box connected to a phone line it would cost $5.00 extra per month. What is the phone line used for and what would the $5.00 extra per month be for, if I don’t have the satellite box connected to a phone line?

Do the installers usually install a phone line when they do the install? The nearest room that I will have a TV in is between 25 – 30 feet from the room that has the phone outlet. Would the installer install a phone outlet in the room I have my satellite box in from my existing phone outlet? How do they run the phone line? Do they run it under the house, through the attic, or just lay the phone line on top of the floor? Thanks for any info.

[cadsulfide]

Hi;

It depends on how many tv's you are installing, Dish has dual tuner recievers that allow two different tv's to run off of only one box (322, 522 etc) so you only need a phone jack near where the box is. They do NOT install phone jacks, but should carry a kit to install a phone jack using your homes power wiring. This should be included with your free installation. If a sales partner rather than dish installs it, good luck.

The phone jack allows Dish to verify the reciever is physically where it is supposed to be by using caller id, and it periodically calls the mother ship to report your veiwing habits.

[migoblu]

Thanks for the reply.

[cshsrh]

Hi;

If a sales partner rather than dish installs it, good luck.

That's right my friend and if you worked for yourself and had to eat that cost you would not partake in it neither!!! When you work by the hour while someone else pays the bills and all you have to do is drive a company van on company time using company materials then it's simple to pass judgement!!!!

[superstar221]

You only need a phone line installed if you want to order PPV via remote....NO MATTER WHAT THEY TELL YOU.

[griffin_b]

You definitely do not have to have your receiver hooked up to a phone line. If you want PPV, you can still call to order it. You will get charged a monthly fee (I think it's still $5) but that's cheaper than paying for a landline.

[matrix-born]

the $5 is the phone line access fee, the phone line helps in the maintenance of your rcvr it allows dn to update/get info on your rcvr, it also allows you to view info on your accnt using your tv and allow you to order ppv using your rem, phone line install is included in the initial installation but there is a limit to the length of cable the tech can use, you could try using wireless phone jack