DSL services use phone cords to deliver high-speed services over longer distances than other media.
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Since DSL service operates over traditional telephone lines, telephone companies have long required that traditional phone service be purchase along with DSL. However, many resellers have demonstrated to consumers that phone service isn't required for DSL service. As a result, many phone companies and resellers provide DSL without telephone, also referred to as "naked" or "dry loop" DSL.
Phone Company: AT&T;
Tracing its history back to 1877 and the original Bell Telephone Company, AT&T; is one of the oldest and largest phone companies today to provide DSL. AT&T; (att.com) offers a phoneless DSL service, which it refers to as "straight Internet." AT&T; DSL services range in download speed from a basic 768 kilobits per second to an elite 6Mbps connection. In addition to DSL, AT&T; is distinctly positioned to provide cellphone, telephone, and television.The company has drawn criticism, however, for being the first Internet service provider to publicly implement a strict monthly data cap of 150 gigabits.
Reseller: Earthlink
Since its inception in 1994, EarthLink (earthlink.net) has been a provider of only Internet and network provisioning services. Its DSL service began in 1999 in four markets and has been growing ever since. Though EarthLink has never offered traditional telephone service, it was among the first major ISPs to provide Voice over Internet Protocol, beginning in 2004. EarthLink has agreements to offer DSL services over the major nationwide networks run by AT&T; and Time Warner Cable. Its phoneless DSL option is referred to as "freestanding" DSL and operates at download speeds up to 3Mbps.
Phone Company: CenturyLink
CenturyLink (centurylink.com), which has thrived from mergers with Qwest and Embarq, offers what it calls stand-alone DSL. The company website tends to obscure this option, giving greater prominence to the lower price offered when bundled with other services. Service speeds range from 786Kbps to 10Mbps; however, Centurylink serves a large amount of rural areas and the maximum speed of a DSL connection relies heavily on the distance one resides form the nearest DSL Access Multiplier.
Reseller: Speakeasy
Like EarthLink, Speakeasy (speakeasy.net) is a broadband reseller whose beginnings stretch back to 1994. While Speakeasy may use local telephone company networks, such as AT&T;, to reach its networks, it prides itself on managing a high-speed, nationwide network infrastructure. Similar to EarthLink, Speakeasy provides a variety of Internet-focused services, including VoIP, Virtual Private Networks and consulting. Download speeds for its asymmetric DSL services range in speed from 1.5 to 6Mbps. Speakeasy is also one of a few companies to provide symmetric DSL, which gives you the same upload and download speeds. Speakeasy primarily targets the business market.
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privacy & security protectedReferences
- AT&T;: High speed Internet Direct
- EarthLink: History of the Company
- EarthLink: Freestanding DSL
- Qwest: Residential Internet (No phone)
- CenturyLink: DSL plans
- Speakeasy: DSL Services
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- Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
