Originally Posted by tomander

I am planning on getting Dish network system installed at home. I do not have a land phone at home, I only use a cell phone. I asked dish network online tech support if a phone connection is required for a HD\DVR receiver. This is the answer I got.

As you may be aware, when you have more than one receiver at your house, you are charged an Additional Outlet fee. The fee is $5 for each additional unit active on the account. Our dual tuner receivers are basically two units with one box. When we developed them, we wanted to allow customers to save some money and have access to all of the receiver's features. We waive the $5 Access Fee on the dual tuners if you keep the receiver continuously connected to a phone line. We also have a feature for our HD dual tuner receivers called IP Callback which offers similar features through a broadband internet connection instead of a phone line.

I interpret this answer to say, that a phone or broadband connection is required or I must pay $5 per month if neither is used.

Why are these connections necessary? Why would they charge me more if they are not used or needed?

Where on the receiver box is the broadband connection made?

I am reluctant to allow an outside party access to my home network with this IP callback connection.

Thanks
Tom