Reply #3: it depends (brace self for long and detailed telecom post) [View All]

[BigMcLargehuge]

generally if you sign up for DSL from a telco or CLEC, they will send you a DSL modem and a box of filters. The filters sit between your telephone and the jack, leaving the jack connected to the model unfiltered (voice signals are filtered so that nothing above 4Khz is transmitted along the loop). Then they will set up a device known as a DSLAM, Digital Subscribed Line Access Multiplexer in the central office where your incoming line terminates. The DSLAM shunts voice traffic to the voice infrastructure (everything below 4KHz) and data to the data infrastructure (everything above 4Khz). You will be asked to wait a week or two from the time you receive the modem and filters (this time is used for the telco to set the work order for setting up the DSLAM).

Then you plug all the junk in, run their software to install a POET dialer, and set your specific e-mail and DNS preferences (assuming it isn't automatic). However, there are some conditions that can prevent you from receiving DSL. These are -

Further away from the Central Office by more than 3.5M/5KM
Your home is serviced by a "loaded loop" (i.e. a loop witn amplifiers on it)
Your local loop is served by a bridge tap