Yeah, you would have to activate the phone line in your apartment. Which means in addition to the NetZero cost you would also be paying a monthly service fee to the phone company for the use of the line. So add that cost into the cost for NetZero and then compare it with cable or satelite. Dial-up may not be cheaper when you factor in the cost of both services. (I am a dial-up user, but I use the phone line as my main source of communication so it is cheaper for me.)