DSL providers?

[Gerald Combs]

On Wed, 23 May 2001, Duston, Hal wrote:

> Not _quite_ true.  Yes, you are getting your DSL from SW Bell, 
> but the way that is done is by the DSL provider installing it's 
> _own_ equipment in SW Bell's building.  They are using the line 
> from your house to the SW Bell building, and then they split off 
> the data and dump it into their own network at the SW Bell 
> building I believe.  For more details (with attitude!) see 
> http://groups.google.com/groups?safe=off&ic=1&th=b074b42d453fc2c0

This isn't quite true.  ASI (the SBC/PacBell/Ameritech subsidiary that
does all of their frame relay and DSL provisioning) can terminate a DSL
connection on any ATM circuit, from an ATM T1 to an OC-[sufficiently large
integer].  The equipment doesn't have to be colocated in a Bell central
office.  AFAIK, most local DSL connections travel over SBC's ATM network,
with the possible exception of ION and some rural LECs. 

It's been my experience that many problems people have with DSL
(installation-wise, at least) and frame relay can be traced back to ASI's
severe lack of competence.  Despite this, no one seems to know that the
company even exists.  They don't have a web site, as far as I have been
able to determine - it's like they're some sort of shadow organization
bent on ruining people's online experience.

> Hal
> 
> > Regardless of who you get your Internet from, your DSL comes 
> > from SW Bell. I have been off line for a month because their 
> > system is so convoluted, and am ready to move to the Cable 
> > Company if they are available yet.  Cable does not provide 
> > the services that I like, but I don't know anyone who has 
> > had downtime like I am having once they are up and running.  
> > I would avoid DSL like the plague until other telcos can 
> > provide the DSL line service to your home, SW Bell just can't 
> > handle the new technology with their current corporate 
> > infrastructure.
> > 
> > > Hi,
> > > I have a cable modem at home. I am interested in switching 
> > > to DSL. I talked to sw bell and they say that I have to 
> > > purchase $100 worth equipment (which includes a nic and 
> > > modem). I was talking to some people in an irc channel and 
> > > they advised me against buying the equipment. "Lease it" 
> > > was pretty much the consensus. I called a couple of 
> > > companies here and none of them seem to be leasing the 
> > > equipment and most of them go through swbell again (same 
> > > old buy modem + nic) stuff.  I would like to know if anyone 
> > > knows of a DSL provider that I can lease equipment from and 
> > > with which I will be able to use my existing
> > > phone line with swbell and be on the web simultaneously.
> > >
> > > thank you,
> > > Aravind
> 
> 
>