How to Find a DSL Provider in Your Area

Depending on where you live, you may be able to choose from one or more DSL Internet service providers (ISPs). DSL, or digital subscriber line, uses part of your normal phone line as a "dedicated" data line that connects directly to an ISP. Access speeds with DSL can vary, but they are typically at least five times faster than a 56K bps modem.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• DSL Lines
• Internet Service Providers

1. Find out if your telephone company offers DSL service where you live. (You must be within 18,000 feet of a telephone company central office to use ADSL - currently the most common type of DSL service.) Call the telephone company or check out its Web site.

2. If the telephone company offers DSL lines in your area, find out if your current ISP offers a DSL package as well.

3. Check the Covad Communications Web site (www.covad.com) to find out if they sell DSL service to other ISPs in your area.

4. Check the yellow pages of your phone book under Internet Access to find other ISPs, and ask them if they offer DSL.

5. Check the Web sites of local computer magazines, and state, county, and city governments for links to local ISPs.

6. Evaluate the DSL packages offered by the phone company and different ISPs.

Tips & Warnings

• DSL service has two parts: the actual line, set up by the phone company, and an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to connect your DSL line to the rest of the Internet. The phone company will offer ISP services in addition to the line, but you might wish to choose a different ISP (for better rates, different features, such as more Web space or more e-mail accounts, or for better technical support).
• ISPs that offer DSL services will typically interface with the phone company for you.

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[TheAgent]

on 9/27/2008 Great article. I also have a website that will tell you all the DSL providers in your area, it is a free search. Just go to http://shopfordsl.com/?cogid=sfmyer20

Thank you and good luck.

on 11/22/2005 If your Internet connection is not running at least 90% of your advertised speed, there could be a problem. Here is a great site that tests your current connection speed. The helpful people in the forum can increase your connection speed up to 1000 kilobytes per second.

www.testmy.net

on 11/22/2005 I installed DSL with BellSouth and cancelled because it caused a lot of trouble. With the DSL package, there was a warning to call if Windows Me was to be used. I called and neither the rep nor his supervisor were aware and said to disregard the warning.