Irregardless of the "I ain't runnin' the phone wire" attitude, it sounds like the phone line was not hooked up and it took a CSR to bypass the phone pop-up screen. Djmav, if I were you, I would keep a close watch on your monthly statements. If the CSR did what I think they did, they probably flagged your receiver as not having an active phone line. And as such, it can and WILL be charged the $4.95 monthly fee.
If you have a phone jack near your television, then hook that 25' of phone line that came with the receiver. Otherwise you are stuck either installing a phonejack or using a set of wireless phonejacks. Those are a tad costly. Last time I checked, most Dish retailers charge between $35 and $40 for them