Will I have a supported DSL service for the foreseeable future? I am skeptical. If the PSTN is to be retired, then what happens to the copper local loops that support DSL modems?DSL services over the copper local loop: will they continue after the selloff of the PSTN? I hope so. DSL is part of the broadband support. The copper local loops, as part of the PSTN, need to remain in service and be maintained. My recent experience with a DSL problem puts the future of DSL in question. I needed a new copper pair for connection to the C.O. because of the degradation of my existing DSL copper pair. The repair person told me that it was OK for now to assign me another pair but there were no plans to add, fix or improve my local copper pairs. No new copper cable installation was expected because my provider, Verizon, is promoting FiOS and retiring the copper pairs.
I am generally happy with my Verizon DSL service. I have had problems but they have been resolved. I am about 18,000 feet from the C.O. near the distance limit. My average speed is about half of a T1 line. The speed does seem to be sensitive to the weather. It works a little better when it is cold.
I use DSL almost entirely for business, not social networking nor entertainment. Sitting at my computer is work, not pleasure. I therefore do not need a lot of bandwidth. When I am at hotels, especially with wireless connections, I experience speeds similar to my DSL line unless I am working after midnight and before 6AM.
I have found that the splitter/DSL filter, has a major influence on my speed. I have my fax machine, not a telephone, on the DSL line. The splitter causes serious degradation to my speed. With the filter off, I have about 750 kbps download speed and 350 kbps upload speed. When I attach the fax through the splitter, my speed is nearly cut in half. It appears that the filter drains significant signal strength, causing the slowdown. Since I do not use my fax machine frequently, this is not a problem, but it is a problem for those who use the phone on the same line as the DSL modem. An alternate choice is to dedicate the line for DSL and terminate the phone service on that line and reduce the cost. This is sometimes called a naked DSL line.
The move to FiOS in my neighborhood means that there will be more unused copper pairs. However, my local copper cable is aging. As pairs become unusable for DSL service, then I will be encouraged to move to FiOS by raising my DSL rates, or via a FiOS promotional offer or terminating my DSL service when no more usable copper pairs are available. I wonder what will happen to DSL services when the ILECs sell off or close down the PSTN. Will DSL be like the PSTN, headed for extinction?
Although I am very near Washington, D.C., there are still blackout areas nearby that have no broadband access. If the DSL services are not expanded and decline in support, then the alternative for broadband access is to lay new cable in those broadband-deficient neighborhoods. Not likely in low income neighborhoods. This is where the broadband stimulus funds from the federal government can be beneficial. The lack of broadband access is not limited to rural communities.
My open concerns are:
* Will my DSL service eventually deteriorate though lack of support?
* Will Verizon raise my DSL fees to cover the continued support and maintenance?
* Will I be forced to migrate to a more expensive service to retain a broadband connection?
* What will happen to all the territories where DSL is the only available service?
* Should there be a Carrier of Last Resort for broadband?
* Will the Universal Service Fund be expanded to support broadband service?
