Do I need an Active phone line for Comcast Internet?

Do I need to have a phone number to get the internet, or can I get it through an inactive phone line?

• I have a land line with AT&T and would like to get a Magic Jack or similar device and cancel my land line service. I have DSL with DSL Extreme and would like to still get the internet through my phone line after I terminate my AT&T account. Is it necessary to have an active phone line or number to receive DSL through a modem?

• Answer:

  I have exactly the same setup you're asking about - ATT calls the DSL service *without* a phone line a 'dry loop'. I get the internet through my phone line, but don't have ATT phone service - or any land line at all. The DSL modem feeds my wireless router, which spreads the signal around the house, either by Ethernet cable or wirelessly - so I can make phone calls from any active computer. If you use Magic Jack Plus, you don't need the active computer, but you need to connect MJ+ to the router with an Ethernet cable. You can use MJ+ wirelessly - but you're back to needing an operating computer with wireless access to do so. The ATT DSL account also allows you to connect to any of their wireless hot spots for free - whether McDonalds or Starbucks or a hotel that normally charges $10 a day for an internet connection. If ATT provides their service, you're in for free. It's great if you're on the road, both to access email and the net, and also to make free calls using Magic Jack (it travels well). It sounds like your DSL is more than adequate for VoIP, but you may want to go to an online test provided by Visualware at http://myspeed.visualware.com/ to check your broadband's speed, jitter, and packet loss. Indicate your location on the first screen of the test, then pick a nearby test facility in screen 2. Don't start the test shown in screen 3 - instead click on the VoIP link shown on the right side of that screen. The test is specifically designed for VoIP, and will give you a good indication as to how well your internet connection will suffice. Good luck with it!