If you are familiar with a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connection then you know that DSL is capable of delivering a high speed broadband Internet connection in addition to serving as a landline telephone service. Most DSL providers tend to provide a DSL connection in the form of a package which means that you get high speed broadband Internet as well as a connection for a landline telephone along with other services. As a result, many DSL providers leave the customer with the impression they are required to sign up for an entire package which may indeed be the case but then again it may not.
Prior to the surge of mobile phone and smartphone use DSL connections represented the only way to receive telephone service. As the Internet grew in popularity many DSL providers added high speed broadband Internet to their services with some providers also offering television connectivity.
Within the last few years many people have traded their landline phone for full-time use of their cell phone due to the increased availability of 3G and 4G connectivity. If you are one of these people you may only want to use your DSL connection to achieve a high speed Internet connection in your home. This is where standalone DSL can help serve this need while reducing costs associated with purchasing a package of services, some of which you will never use.
Standalone DSL Defined
Standalone DSL is a term you should use with a DSL provider when they are trying to sell you other products or services in addition to a high speed Internet connection. Basically, standalone DSL means that you are simply going to use a Digital Subscriber Line for Internet access minus any other services such as a landline telephone.
If you are currently using your mobile phone as your primary telephone line or you see a VoIP service such as Skype as a way to meet your telephone communication needs then standalone DSL is a term you should use with your DSL provider when you inquire about connectivity.
Cable vs. Standalone DSL
If you are currently paying for cable television service chances are they are also providing you with a high speed broadband Internet connection. In this case, it is easier to refuse voice services if your cable television provider offers the service or attempts to sell you the service in a bundle.
On the other hand, if you are using a DSL connection most providers naturally assume that you are going to purchase landline telephone services as well. The problem is the DSL provider must install at least a minimum DSL connection in order for you to receive high speed Internet access but then they charge you for the landline telephone service which you will not use if your cell phone is your primary telephone line. This means you may or may not be able to avoid the additional expense but, sometimes if you do your homework ahead of time; it is harder for the DSL provider to make you believe you are required to pay for a service you will never use.
How to Get Standalone DSL
If you cannot remember the last time you used your landline phone then you may be well suited for a standalone DSL connection. When you approach the DSL provider to inquire about service cost ask for a quote for standalone DSL. If you say you just want high speed Internet it makes it easy for the DSL provider to tell you it cannot be done and they will try to sell you other services in a bundle.
On the other hand, if you specifically ask for standalone DSL without telephone service the DSL provider should offer a price distinction. It is also important to keep in mind that standalone DSL is commonly referred to by other terms such as naked DSL or no dial tone service. Make sure you use these terms when speaking to your DSL provider about a standalone DSL Internet connection.
Standalone DSL Availability
You may be wondering about standalone DSL availability for your area and how common it is for people to request a standalone DSL connection. The answer to this lies in the fact that a standalone DSL connection is gradually becoming more common. Depending upon where you are located you may not have to hassle much with your DSL provider to obtain this type of connection. It is just that many times the DSL provider will make bundled services more visible in their marketing and advertising and play down a standalone connection since it costs less, so you have to ask.
Some of the larger DSL service providers such as AT&T offer a standalone DSL connection as a result of a recent agreement they made with the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). In some areas where there is AT&T availability, this means you can obtain a high speed broadband DSL Internet connection without having to pay for a telephone line you will never use. It is also possible that your local telephone service provider may offer standalone DSL but then again you must remember to ask since they will not make this service visible when it comes to marketing and advertising.
The bottom line is, if you can live without a dial tone which would otherwise indicate a service interruption, you have a way to contact 911 if your mobile phone provider does not offer this service, and you use your mobile phone almost 100 percent of the time, then the cost savings for standalone DSL may be well worthwhile.
If you use your landline telephone some of the time or you tend to feel more secure with a landline connection in addition to your mobile phone, perhaps you may want to think twice about installing a standalone DSL connection. Especially if you live in an area where mobile phone service is intermittent and you need to make a call in the event of an emergency.
Standalone DSL all comes down to personal preferences, availability, and lifestyle when it comes to day-to-day communications and access to the Internet.