> My mother in the Bay Area has Dish, and I don't know if DirectTV is any
> different, but her satellite receiver box needs to be able to dial out on a
> regular telephone line periodically.

I've got Dish, and I told the installer I didn't want my box to be connected to the phone line, so he didn't do it. I've had Dish for over 5 years, including upgrading the box to digital, and I've never had it connected to the phone line. I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Upgrades and maintenance come down from the heavens in the dark of the night. When I've called in for support, they've never questioned me not having a phone connection. I think the reason they want it is so the box can call in for pay on demand to bill you whatever programming they sell.

I think the reason for the lack of multiple cable providers is that municipalities charge a fee for letting cable providers have access to city sewers, er, underground cabling tunnels, and cable providers won't pony up if they have competition. Cities charge for letting people have access to the residents.