I think they are more concerned that at least one is hooked up for the sports packages.
I have my main receiver hooked up but not my bedroom, I still get my ST.
PPV is a different situation,
When you order a PPV thru your remote, the info is written to your access card, this is why the phone is nessasary, the receiver calls in every so often, maybe once a night or a week or something to that affect, at that time the access card is read and the PPV added to your bill.
If you order from Online, they already have access to your records and are bill at that time.
So if you ordered PPV with your remote and did not have the phone plugged in, after the receiver tried to phone home a few times ... after you have ordered a set nubmer of movies or events you will then get a ext. # on your screen when you go to the PPV channels and you will also have to call in before they will allow you to order with your remote.
btw, you can fill up the card. The amount of orders allowed is pre determined by D*
Jimbo