[jimthewiz]

DC is used on some transmission lines now that relatively recent developments in DC/AC power conversion have made it a compelling alternative in some cases.....

And the lines carrying our phone service are DC.

[RFEngineer]

"And the lines carrying our phone service are DC"

Phone lines carry both AC (voice and ring tones) and DC (line power for phones)......the load levels are low enough that losses, though significant on a percentage basis, still allow the system to function. Phone lines still are short-distance (mostly < 15k feet) - still "local" by power transmission standards.