Cheapest phone service?

 My roommate decided he doesn't want to pay for a land phone line to our
place (it's fair, he almost always uses a cell) but I need one for the
internet.
What's the cheapest phone service? Is there anything in the $9-$12 range
for reliable bare-bones not-per-hour service?
I live in the north texas/DFW area.

Thanks!

p.s. I know I'm cross-posting, but they're all relevant newsgroups.
There are people it would reach who don't read more than one.

 

Ask about DSL only service from your telephone provider.

TKM

 

Not every Phone Company will offer DSL-only service.  DSL is a service
designed to piggyback on POTS (Plain old Telephone Service).  If phone
companies started doing this on a regular basis, people would start
canceling their hardwire phone service in droves and the revenue would
tank.  

The regular phone service pays for the continuing costs associated
with keeping a hardwire copper line connected to your telephone
central office.  DSL is just an add-on to an existing line.

Among your options...

Verizon FIOS (fibre) or equivalent -  Fiber connections are only
available in  small, usually generally upscale areas of the US.  It's
worthwhile to lobby for it, but it can take years to install.

Comcast or other cable co. cable modem - Usually fairly cheap, often
comes bundled with other services - Unknown bandwidth limits - You
share a network with your neighbors.

Hughes Net - 2 way internet from a satellite. -  There will be
bandwidth limits and the service has a short response delay due to the
far away satellites.  Can be expensive.

Dial UP - local ISP

Wi-Fi Max - Wireless service available in some rural and urban areas.
Free in some places.

In general, a wired connection is going to be better, and more secure
than anything wireless.

 
Most likely there is something in, or close to that price range.  The
phone companies usually offer (perhaps they are required to, by law?)
a minimal service to provide access to phone service for low-income
customers, but you can get this less expensive plan just by asking for
it...the catch of course is that most people don't know to ask for
it.  Last I know, (at least in my area) this sort of plan included a
handful of calls in the fee, and any calls above and beyond that
number were charged either per minute or per call.  I think this sort
of plan is called "lifeline service" or something

I don't know if they will allow DSL with this sort of plan or not.

Call the local phone company and ask.

 

Without knowing where in the world you live, its hard to say. Try
googling or asking friends, neighbors, family and co-workers who live in
your area for a recommendation.