it has no monthly fee or tax for life, when you install the unit, you have 6 month of free premium service, after that if you want to continue these addtional features, will cost you 10 bucks / month, you don't have to sign up, I just keep it basic....
the hub can power your house phone wires, meaning you can plug in phone in anyphone jack, just like the old way, but you must disconnect the phonebox outside your house.