Question / Clarification on billing start

[Brooke Lynn]

Also a cable or service physically brings and installs the equipment so they have control of starttup dates.

If you already have the newer phone upgradeable modem for internet service, you would call in to have phone service activated by them. Usually, you are up and running in less than 24 hrs.
If you have an older modem, they can mail you the newer phone upgrade modem and you call them when you are ready to install phone service. Cable (at least CV, TWC) is making a definite push to have customers install their own internet and phone services. They only come out for cable tv installs and will charge $15-$45 for future home installs like internet or phone.