text: help with dsl? in order to have dsl internet do i need to have an active telephone line? or can the dsl modem be plugged into the phone point and activated, much like a cable modem?  any help is appreciated... thanks! hi there,  i'm pretty sure that you have to have an active phone line (with verizon for instance) to be able to get verizon dsl service. you can always call verizon guys and ask about that. and then if you have to have their phone service, just opt for the cheapest option possible (i'm paying like $14.95 a month) plus same for their cheapest verizon dsl (768kbps download/64kbps upload). also, with dsl you get point to point connection and your download/upload speed is always constant while with cable internet more neighbors connect your connection is getting slower because they all share the same internet 'pipe'. all best, bora