Cable customers get phone, too

Some Youngstown residents are now receiving telephone service from their cable company.
Time Warner Cable began installing its new Digital Phone service in Youngstown and Akron last week.
Time Warner customers would pay $39.95 a month for phone service if they have both cable TV and the company's Road Runner high-speed Internet service. The cost of phone service for Time Warner customers who have only cable or Road Runner is $44.95 a month.
Included is unlimited local and long-distance calling, plus caller ID and call waiting.
Test period
Customers who are receiving the service now are ones who previously agreed to a 90-day test. By the end of May, the service will be available to other Time Warner customers in Youngstown. The service will available to Trumbull County customers at different times, starting this summer.
The Youngstown and Akron markets were selected as the first markets to receive the service in Time Warner's Northeast Ohio division.
Digital network
Digital Phone uses Time Warner's existing broadband network, which is made of fiber optic and coaxial cable. Customers still use their telephones and in-house wiring, but the connection is made with a digital cable modem.
Time Warner is joining with MCI to transfer calls to the regular telephone network, provide enhanced 911 service and carry long distance traffic.