AOL participates in cell discrimination. AOL does not permit you to set up an account unless you have a cell phone. Providing them the number is required so they can send you a text to verify your identity. Millions of people (like me) do not have or want a cell phone and therefore we are barred from setting up an AOL account. AOL is not in the best of shape financially, you would think they would remove obstacles to people interested in setting up accounts with them.