And how is a mains surge arrestor going to stop a large pulse coming down
the phone line. I, personally think they are all a waste of money, but you
pays your money etc....

And there's plenty who'll take the money off them as wants to pay it.
But especially here in the UK, neither grotty mains nor lightning
strikes are common, and when they are the kind of penny-priced VDRs
which "provide" the "surge protection" are b'all use...

Stefek