Distinctive Ring is for some kind of sharing. With two phone ports, one can bind a provider to a port. The real issue is the face presented to the world. For example the traditional way with POTS has been a single number and manually initiating receiving a fax. Not elegant, but workable. For those with two lines it's easier, say 555-1212 for regular calls, and 555-1515 for faxes. Distinctive Ring gives the best of both in one line, two numbers, and no manual intervention. So basically, one provider, one number, and the manual method. Or two distinct numbers, which might be squeezed down to one provider, and some separation in the Obi202.