[clue-tech] DSL providers

[Ken MacFerrin]

Nate Duehr wrote:
> On 2/14/07, Joe 'Zonker' Brockmeier <xonker at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> 1) Any suggestions for providers other than Qwest?
> 
> Virtually any provider you choose for DSL is going to use Qwest for
> their "last mile" connectivity.  Whether or not you get a bundled bill
> is up to the provider.  I've used Front Range Internet (frii.net) for
> years with Qwest as the last mile... PPPoA.  Works great, nice to not
> have to call the Qwest-bulk-end-user-drone call center when problems
> arise, which truly has been rare.  But knowing that FRII has a clue
> means less overall stress/worry if I ever do have to call.
> 
>> 2) Is it possible to get DSL without having a regular phone line? I
>> have Comcast Digital Voice, so I don't really need another telephone
>> line...
> 
> Yes, and the Qwest drones will have a hard time finding it in their
> sales drone system.  I referred to it as "Naked" DSL which prompted a
> flurry of activity on the other end of the phone while the poor sales
> rep found a supervisor with clue... but yes, it is tarriffed and
> available.  It costs (if I remember correctly) an additional $5 a
> month on the Qwest portion of the circuit.
> 
> If you don't have a current home phone, they'll have fun finding your
> location to tell you if DSL is available there, also -- but they CAN
> do it... just be persistent.  If you know a previous phone number
> there, sometimes that helps.

I have a naked DSL from Qwest with FRII as my ISP as well.  I would 
recommend calling FRII first so they can get you setup and then they 
will put in the order ticket to Qwest for you.  A Qwest rep will then 
call you within a day or so to get the line & account setup.  Just make 
sure you're clear that you want a "residential" naked DSL or you'll get 
charged an extra $20+/mo for the line as a business.  You'll then get 
separate bills from both Qwest (line service) and FRII (isp service) on 
a monthly basis as Qwest would charge you a "business" rate if you want 
to bundle the bill through FRII.

I've had this setup for about 6 months and am happy with FRII service 
and billing.  Once you're fully setup, another suggestion is to call 
Qwest and have them turn off interleaving on your line.  This is on by 
default for all Qwest DSL lines and adds significant latency.  Once you 
call in, they have a Qwest director that will review your request and 
see if your line quality (distance, size of wire pairs, etc) is good 
enough to have it removed..
-Ken