+1 on making VoIP optional. It's possible that ATT's resale agreement requires Sonic to include voice services. For Sonic's native services, however, they certainly have the option to make VoIP optional.
On Sonic's resold ATT service, I pay $9.98/month, $120/year, for ATA rental and voice-related fees for a service that I don't use. The ATA sits in a closet in its original packaging.
I subscribed to Sonic with a pre-existing VoIP service (Ooma Premier) that's reliable and has a good feature set. I have no desire or plans to switch VoIP providers, which makes the $9.98/month in VoIP charges that now appears on my Internet bill annoying.