When I was on dial up the meter started automatically via an opto bridge (4N35) in series with the phone line. To increase the speed from 28 kB to 52-54 kB / sec. the other phones were switched off via a relay.
Now I'm on broadband, I switch the hour meter ON manually. At the same time It switches the modem on, and closes a contact to activate the phone line to the computer.
