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Generally, after research, the phone line is used for:
(Documented on DISHNetwork web page)
.Pay-Per-View
.Provides non-interruptive programming
.Customer Support Applications
.Interactive TV Applications
.PPV Limited to a specific purchase amount
.Billing of PPV purchased
One blog states that it is used to upload your viewing habits for the Nielsen ratings
Another blog:
Prevents "Stacking." Registering multiple receivers on one account and then given them out to your friends. When the receiver calls in DISH checks the phone number of the account and verifies the location of the receiver. The most registered receivers you can have on a residential account is six.
Typically if you do not have a phone line hooked up you will be charged $5 a month for the rental use of the receiver. It is waived if you have a phone line hooked up.
The following is a quote from the DISH Agrrement:
"....DISH Network will charge you a reduced monthly fee (Additional Receiver Authorization Fee) for each additional receiver added to your account. This option is only available if your initial DISH Network receiver and all additional receiver(s) are located at the same residence and are continuously connected to the same telephone line. If you desire to receive Services at two different locations, you must open a separate account for each location. You agree that you will not directly or indirectly use a single account for the purpose of authorizing Services for multiple DISH Network receivers that are not all located in the same residence and connected to the same phone line. If we later determine that you did, we may terminate your Services and, in addition to all other applicable fees, you agree to pay us the difference between the amounts actually received by us and the full retail price for the Services authorized for each DISH Network DBS receiver on the account, whether owned by you or not. The payment of that amount and/or the termination of Services shall not prejudice our ability to exercise any other rights and remedies we may have under this Agreement, at law, in equity, or otherwise."
"E. For proper operation of your Equipment, DISH Network requires that you connect each DISH Network receiver on your account to a telephone line. For accounts containing multiple receivers, each receiver must be connected to the same telephone line."
ALL of the above applies to DISH Network. I am just going to ASSUME that DTV is similar.
Summary: You don't need the phone line to watch satellite TV, but you may have degraded services. You will be in violation of their agreement with you and they could then terminate your services. They could possibly choose to litigate with you.
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