How Hard Is it to Upgrade to DSL?

DSL signals are carried over regular phone lines but they are sent at higher frequencies. Those higher frequency signals cannot travel indefinitely on the phone lines, so DSL is only available if the internet service provider (ISP) has a central office within range. Your ISP can tell you if you're within service range.

It is likely your DSL provider will install all the necessary hardware, but customers should understand the process. The company will install a splitter, which separates the standard phone signal from the DSL signal. To keep the phone signal crisp, blocking filters will be installed on every phone line, which is a very easy "click-in" installation. Finally, a DSL modem will connected to the phone line where it has been split. Installation of the modem requires click-in phone line connectors plugged in on each end of the split.

Some modems are combination devices, serving as routers as well as modems. If you have a separate router, you will have to connect an Ethernet cable from the modem to the router. Ethernet cables are like traditional phone cords on steroids --- the connectors are the same click-in type, just larger. If you want to use a wireless router, for security you'll want to set up your own network name and password. The router manufacturer will supply the information needed for this task.

Your ISP will quote a rate for upload and download speeds, but those numbers are maximums. The connection speed will be affected by other traffic on the system, distance from the central office and the quality of the phone line. Your ISP can perform a remote test to check the data rate and identify any problems. You can also do your own test by visiting Internet sites that test the speed of your connection.