Does DSL Require a Landline?

A "landline" is defined as either the copper telephone wire that physically connects your building's telephone wiring with the phone company, or as the traditional telephone service from the phone company. DSL requires the wiring but not the service.

Requirement

• DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line, is Internet connection service over telephone lines. In order to receive an Internet signal with DSL service, copper telephone wire must be installed and operational in the building.

Options

• DSL Internet service does not require active telephone service. Some phone companies offer "naked" DSL, or DSL service without the traditional telephone service. A "bundled" service is service that includes, among other features, both DSL and telephone service.

Considerations

• Eliminating the landline may complicate 911 services for your building. Emergency calls are routed and tracked based on the geographic location behind a telephone number. If the building is not equipped with landline telephone service, consider Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or wireless telephone service for 911 calls.

Regulations

• The Telecommunications Act of 2005 requires that VoIP companies offer customers 911 services or inform customers of its unavailability. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires wireless telephone providers to support 911 calling.