Computersight -

    This is a pretty common question among most Internet users.  The mass majority of internet users have no idea what makes the internet work.  So first off I would Like to give a standard definition of what we call the internet also known as the “World Wide Web”. It describes the network of HTTP servers utilizing hypertext links to both find and access files. Frequently the term Internet, which more accurately describes the underlying transportation network, is used to mean the World Wide Web.  More simply what it is, is a network of computers around the world sharing data at high speeds.  thus allowing you to surf the internet, to use and share information.  So now that we know what the internet is we can get a better understanding of what DSL is.

    DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line.  Which means it is not shared, it is a personal and direct portal to the internet.  It comes in several different speeds,  It travels over copper line and shares the same infrastructure used for your home phone service.  DSL allows users to connect with ISPs (internet service providers) via phone company copper lines. A filter on the DSL converter protects internet data parcels from the voice signals carried on the PSTN (your phone network) network. In order to link up to the net, you need a modem on the user site and a technology called the DSL access multiplexer, DSLAM for short, to receive the signals from multiple telecom clients.

    So simply it shares your phone lines, information travels on separate frequency’s and the information is interpreted by the DSLAM which is located in the central office .  The closer you are to the so-called central office, the faster your DSL will run.This means that if you are on the periphery of a DSL coverage area, you may get slower connectivity speeds. Also understand that with DSL, as with cable, your download times will generally be much faster than your upload times. This asymmetrical configuration of the network is inherent to the technology.  So that  being said what can we expect form your DSL service?  Well depending on your Loop Length (distance from the Central Office) you will qualify for so many options.  With a company like Verizon, you can expect to get anywhere from 768 kbps down load speed up to 7.5 Mbps.  To qualify for DSL you need to be within about 22000 feet from the central office.  If you lie with 5000 feet you should qualify the 7.5 mbps.  Now this being said it’s not the proximity of the central office that counts. Its the amount of copper wire that lies between you and the Central Office.  Now this infrastructure is rather old.  I have seen people that live within a block of a CO and not qualify for DSL.

    When ordering DSL service there are a few things you should keep in mind.  Ordering the service and having a circuit wired for you in the CO is not as easy as flicking a switch.  Testing and physical man power goes into this process.  So no you can’t have it turned on the next day after you order it.  So this being said you can expect to have service 7-10 business days after you have received analogue service (Dial Tone).  The only exception to this rule is when ordering Dry Loop Service which is DSL without analogue service.  So you don’t get a dial tone to make phone calls.  I see far to often people order DSL and expect it on the same day as they get dial tone.  It doesn’t happen no matter what the sales person tells you!  Now you also have one other thing to think about.  Most ISP’s now offer an option to have wireless internet in your home, this is a technology that is offered with the modem you will receive.  So if you have a laptop or several computers in your home you will want a modem that offers a wireless connection.  If you only have one computer you are going to recieve a normal modem which if you hooked up to a router you would be able to convert this to a wireless connection as well.  I would suggest using a router only if you plan on tying your computers together over a home network.  But we will touch more on that when I get into modems and routers and what their functions and benefits are.

    I hope that I have been able to give you a better understanding of what DSL is and what to expect from it.  I know this is only a brief discription but It is in lamens terms,  If you want to know more about it I would suggest opening up google and searching for more information.  Feel free to leave me any comments or questions and I will try to give you an answer back promptly.  Till next week Happy Surfing!!