Try belt and suspenders--phone for caller ID and broadband for remote access. Then if either is failing and you haven't noticed, you have a backup.
I think we tend to forget the real reason for the phone hookup is to ensure you pay for PPV.... I found the $5 charge on my bill, called, and hope it is removed. All 3 recorders were always connected. Actually the prior month only had one "TV2 Receiver Connection" charge for $0. This month's was $5+$0. I have AEP. Of course, they don't credit immediately--"billed in advance." It made me act to remove a lingering DHPP charge so they lost money although only the DHPP charge is acknowledged by e-mail from the CSR call--the phone is a separate department. What refund? All receivers now have both B & S.
-Ken