Is Distinctive Ring Available for Digital Voice in Delaware?

I’m getting conflicting answers on this topic about the availability or NOT of Distinctive Ring for the digital voice phone service with Fios. It’s frustrating because whether or not I can use this feature in Delaware, dictates how I’ll place my order to add a new phone number. Do I need two separate lines? Or, can I just use distinctive ring on an existing line so I know that’s my “new” (yet to order) home business number calling in? In a Google search yesterday, when I looked it up, I found information from 2013 that lists numerous states, including Delaware, that NO LONGER OFFER distinctive voice. And yet, when I asked a Verizon rep about it yesterday, she said YES. So, which is it? Is Distinctive Ring Still Available for those of us in New Castle County, Delaware for Fios Digital Voice service?

This also a very important matter because another family member wants to go in with me on my Verizon account and add his phone line/phone number and leave Comcast. If there’s no distinctive ring, then I need two lines, and to add my family member, I’d need three lines. The plot thickens here. Does my OMT box that’s been down the basement for over 10 years allow for three separate phone lines? In my last post, someone said it only allows for two separate lines, so in that case, I really would need the distinctive ring in order for my family member to go in with me. And, I need to move forward with this ASAP. Until I have more clarity, it’s all one big frustrating delay! I might add, I’ve tried contacting Verizon at least three times in a week to get some other technical questions answered about getting this set up, which are still fuzzy and conflicted.

I hope someone can enlighten me on the Distinctive Ring question in Delaware, mainly. I realize less people are even using landlines, which is what I plan to do with the existing jacks in my office and first floor of the house, but someone should know this! And, preferably, a Verizon person! If you got this far, thank you. Maybe I will feel less lost soon and finally get out of the Emerald Forest, after all . . . .

Accepted answers

dexman

Verizon could install an ONT that can handle four POTS lines. When we switched from Verizon legacy/copper to Verizon Fios, we had three POTS lines in the house. Verizon installed a Tellabs 611 ONT that would support four lines. Normally Verizon would install 611s that could support only two lines.

All comments

retiredphonedude

See this topic https://community.verizon.com/t5/Digital-Voice-and-POTS-Archive/distinctive-ring/m-p/1585705 The ONT has two phone ports

Lost-in-the-Emerald-Forest

Thanks for the link. That confirms what I thought and located online. However, it dates back to 2013. Are you saying nothing has changed since then to get it back? And currently, in 2025, it doesn’t exist for us here in Delaware or those other states? Are you aware of any technical reason for this, or is it just all about the profits? If you can’t get distinctive ring, you must buy a second line! The cost isn’t that bad at $10 a line, but in my scenario, it now sounds like I cannot get another family member go add his phone line to my account. It’s restricted to two ports as you say. Since the OMT was from over 10 years ago, does Verizon have a newer, updated version of this FiOS OMT box that offers more than two lines/ports for landlines?

If limited to just the 2 ports, what about using a 5-port 1 Gig unmanaged ethernet switch to add another line? Or does that only work to add another internet dependent device, such as hardwire streaming on a TV.

retiredphonedude

I'm not saying anything, and I'm not connected with Verizon in any way. If they haven't reinstated distinctive ringing and I find nothing that says they did, and I highly doubt they would then you're out of luck. The phone ports use a built in ATA (analog telephone adaptor) that let's your plain old phone work and give you dial tone. Adding an Ethernet switch wouldn't help for phone service from Verizon, but you could get VoIP service from Ooma, Vonage or any other service and plug them into your Ethernet switch. The ONT (optical network terminal) is only equipped, and the new ones are only equipped with two phone ports for residential service. You'd have to pay for business service to get more phone ports.

dexman

When our house switched from Verizon copper over to Fios back in 2008, we had three POTS lines.

Verizon installed a version of the Tellabs 611 ONT that supported four telephone lines. All three users had residential service. None of the lines were commercial.

Unless something has changed since, Verizon should swap out the 211 for another model if three or more POTS lines are needed. ">

I do not see Distinctive Ring listed in the Fios Digital User Guide. The feature was likely available in certain areas due to it being offered by an RBOC that was subsequently acquired by Verizon.

I'm in the old New England Telephone area. I don't remember if NET offered that feature to it's customers.

retiredphonedude

Nice to know. Would be nice if this was reflected in Verizon's available services for residents.

dexman

With the decline in landline residential service, the need for the larger capacity ONT is pretty small.

Back in 2021 when I upgraded our Internet service, two of the three telephone lines were dropped, but I've held onto mine. Verizon replaced the four port 611 with a standard two port 211.

retiredphonedude

OK, that's what I thought, you can't get a multi-port (more than two) ATA in an ONT for residence, I know you can for business.

dexman

It largely depends on the situation. If a family needed three or four telephone lines, Verizon would need to supply an ONT that can support more than the standard two on the 211.

In our case, the decision was made to drop two lines due to the users are using their mobile phones exclusively.

I don't mind keeping my landline around and use it when I'm home.

retiredphonedude

So, in answering the OP's question on a third line, should they just call and order 3 lines? Knowing of course they will all be on the same account? Does Verizon allow two ONT's at the same address? I know AT&T doesn't.

dexman

retiredphonedude

@dexman
No response from the OP so hope they got their answer. Just FYI I get my "landline" simulated of course from Verizon's wireless home phone, so I've never checked my ONT other than providing service to my router over a year ago. I did go check it and lo and behold, there are two phone ports. Just thought I'd let you know since I stated I'd never seen the phone ports on the ONT before. Service from a small independent provider. Thanks for your information.

dexman

With the decline of landline service, many people are unaware that the ONTs do support the service (also legacy cable television service).

Having worked as an IXC/CLEC Central Office technician for 23 years, I try to scope things like that and, if looking at posted pictures of ONTs, checking out the visible cabling to see if they are near or a pile of spaghetti. ">