Q: I'm thinking of buying a new home or moving to a new apartment, how can I find one that has ADSL access?

For many of us, living without DSL isn't an option. Since availability is at best a 50/50 proposition, this makes the process of locating a great new home that also has DSL access a real challenge.

The following is a guide to help streamline your ADSL quest:

• Step 1: Learn about the distinct ways phone lines are provisioned
  
  The biggest factor that determines ADSL availability is how phone lines in a given area are provisioned. Read and learn:
  
  Straight-copper, Digital SLC, Analog SLC
  Integrated Fiber in the Loop (IFITL)
  
  
• Step 2: Eliminate IFITL
  
  IFITL is pretty uncommon, but it's also the easiest to self-identify so let's eliminate it first. If the pedestals (little green boxes on the lawns) in the neighborhood are the size and shape of IFITL pedestals (see pictures on above link), then you know you've got IFITL. Note: In an apartment complex, the pedestals are typically inside the telephone room of each building.
  
  The key question now is whether or not it has been upgraded to include the high-speed access component (PCDATA-10Mbps Ethernet). To do this find a service tech and ask what model OIU is in each pedestal. If OIU-45 or OIU-48 then its got PCDATA, otherwise it's voice only. If the latter, then scratch this neighborhood off your list, otherwise you've found a new home.
  
  
• Step 3: Target locations within 3 mi of central office
  
  Since ADSL DSLAMS are already installed in most central offices, your best chance of getting DSL is through a CO-based solution (vs. a SLC-based solution). Identify all the central offices in the areas where you are interested in:
  
  Bellsouth Central Offices confirmed to have ADSL
  Find CO Addresses using DSLreports COfinder
  
  You'll need sample phone numbers to feed into COfinder. Capture at least a dozen from each area using:
  
  Bellsouth Reverse Address Search
  
  (Enter in just street names w/o house numbers to get a list of phone numbers on that street).
  
  
• Step 4: Check qualification on sample numbers
  
  Bellsouth ADSL Qualification Page
  
  If 100% qualify then you should have no problem getting DSL at this location
  
  If 0% qualify, scratch this area off the list, it must be all SLC-based and there aren't any DSLAMS installed in the SLCs.
  
  If only some qualify, then you probably have a mixture of line types serving the area (e.g. straight-copper vs. SLC). There probably isn't a DSLAM in the SLC so only the straight-copper lines qualify.
  
  You may be able to get a qualified line, but it will certainly be a struggle...proceed with caution.
  
  Repeat this process until you find several target locations that seem to have a good chance of qualifying.
  
  
• Step 5: Do detailed infrastructure assessment
  
  For each location that you are interested in cruise the neighborhood to find a Phone Company service technician working in the area. Even better if you can locate one while they're working at a SLC. Ask the tech if he knows how the phone lines from your target home route back to the central office. Are they straight copper? or are they SLC-based?
  
  If he states that it's a mix, then try to get an rough idea of what percentage of lines are provisioned each way AND if there is still straight-copper loops available. If many or all lines are SLC-based, then ask which SLC they route through AND *most importantly* whether there is a remote DSLAM installed in that SLC.
  
  If most of the lines are SLC-based and there is no remote DSLAM, then your odds have just decreased substantially. If most lines are straight-copper and you know there is a central office DSLAM, you are golden.
  
  
• Step 6: Ordering new phone line
  
  When you place your order, ask to have the following comments added to your order:
  
  "Customer is attempting to get ADSL, provision on straight-copper facilities, if available"
  
  It may get completely ignored, but it's worth a shot.
  
  Also insist "installer contact customer prior to installation at cell #xxx-xxx-xxxx"
  
  They usually pay attention to this.
  
  
• Step 7: Phone line installation day
  
  BE ON-SITE DURING THE INSTALLATION!
  
  You have ONE chance to get your line provisioned on straight copper...speaking with the service tech BEFORE the installation starts. Explain your situation and if there is no SLC DSLAM beg and plead for a straight-copper loop. Be nice, NOT confrontational.
  
  If it looks like there is no way for the tech to install a qualified loop, just cancel the order on the spot. Once he installs it, it's next to impossible to get it changed.
  
  Also make sure that this new line isn't planned to be installed using a DAML. DAMLs allow two phone lines to run over one piece of copper and are totally incompatible with ADSL.
  
  
• Step 8: Check ADSL qualification
  
  In the Bellsouth area it is now supposed to take only 48 hours for a new phone line to get updated in the ADSL loop qualification system (Loopy). Check the qualification BEFORE the installation and make sure it's reading "unknown" or "number not found". You'll have to call the ADSL help desk to see this level of detail (the web page just gives you a pass/fail). Then recheck 2-3 days later. If it still says "unknown/not found" then that just means that Loopy hasn't been updated yet...wait a few more days. Eventually you should get a "qualified" reading and you can then proceed with your ADSL order. If it comes back "not-qualified" then something went wrong, scream and GOTO Step 1. (sigh).
  
  
• Step 9: GOAL!!!! order ADSL

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