[ale] [OT] AT&T DSL vs RoadRunner cable broadband

[Pat Regan]

krwatson at cc.gatech.edu wrote:
> I think you're referring to a DSLAM (Digital subscriber line access
> multiplexer). Under current law the LEC (Local exchange carrier) only
> has to share the infrastructure at the CO (Central Office) with the
> CLEC (Competitive local exchange carrier). The DSLAM is not covered
> under this law.

The DSLAM is installed in either the CO or a remote.  CLECs can install
their own equipment in a ILEC CO, but the ILECs are not required to
allow anyone access to their remotes.

A remote terminal is a small CO in a box.  Just a large box on the side
of the road with telco equipment in it.

> To add insult to misery when you call an ISP they will use the LEC's
> database to determine your distance to the CO when quoting service
> even though there may be a DSLAM that is close by. I had this happen
> to me when I checked on converting to Earthlink DSL. When I called
> they told me I was to far from the CO. When I got home that day I
> found I had received a post card from Earthlink offering 1.5Mb/s DSL.
> It seems the web page and the people answering the phone were using
> the LEC's database and while the marketing department were sending
> out post cards to all the people in the service area of the DSLAM.

Those nearby DLSAMs are likely installed in ILEC owned remotes.  If you
want DSL from a CLEC you either need to be near an actual CO or you need
to be lucky enough to be dealing with a CLEC that is actually building
physical infrastructure.  I don't think the latter is terribly common
anymore, but I'm not current on my knowledge.  It has been at least five
years since I last worked for an ILEC or CLEC.

Pat

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