Switch from cable to DSL what is important to keep in mind?

[SledgeDG]

Hi y'all
I intend to switch my service provider from Cable (Time Warner) to DSL (probably Verizon) So far I never had DSL...went decades ago from dial up straight to cable. Now I need help from people who are more knowledgeable than me in that area.

My actual setup is as follows: Motorola cable modem ==> Cisco wireless router ==> Computer(s)
Basically I understand that I simply unhook the cable modem and replace it with a DSL modem
Is there anything else that would need to be changed/switched/altered?

Now please tell me if I got this right:
The highest speed obtainable largely depends on the distance and quality of the phone line between the node and my house (thus being beyond my control)
Which means even if I purchase a "better" package I won't get a faster access.

To avoid monthly rental fees I probably go out and buy a DSL Modem.

Is there anything to pay closer attention to, do they all work on the same lines or are there different models for those different "Speed-packages" ?

Any suggestions as of what brand/model would be favorable?

Can you think of anything else important I might have overlooked?

I don't want to act in a rush only to find out later on that I messed up and went about it the wrong way (Right now I'm really ticked off about those TW clowns who have a monopoly on cable here in the NW and I'm known to act irrationally when in a state like I am in now

So you see I need all the help I could get
Thank you in advance
-DG

 

[SledgeDG]

Nobody? Really?

 

[Britton30]

You should be able to do a simple swap with the cable and DSL modems. I would power everything off, swap them and power up in this Order, modem>Router, PC on port 1, and the next in order.
Ask Verizon for recommendations.

 

[whs]

Having your own modem is a good idea. But I got my modem for free (ATT). There are also routers with integrated modems. I use a Netgear like that in Germany (although the modem would have been free).

You should get at least DSL3000. Better even DSL6000 or higher. But those are more expensive. In Germany I have 6000 and in the US I have 3000. I can notice the difference in upload/download speed. They also offer DSL16.000, but maybe not your future ISP.

Make sure they put a central filter in your phone line. Those little dangly filters you attach to each phone jack are for the birds. I had a lot of phone static with those. The central filter (installed where the line comes into the house) solved the problem.

And if possible have them install a phone jack with a seperate line-out for the phone and the DSL. Those mobile line splitters are no good either.

 

[SledgeDG]

@Britton Thank you for the reassurance!
@whs: I'm gonna shop around to see what provider is available and what are the different options here in the backwoods DSL6000 would be nice, I'm just afraid those old copper lines just don't cut it .
Thank you for your other pointers as well, Wolfgang. I'll keep them in mind even if those lines as it looks now, won't be used for telephones. But now that I know about central filters I make sure they put one in.
I'll keep you posted when I have updated info.

Thanks a lot you guys I really appreciate it!

-DG

 

[whs]

DSL6000 goes via copper lines (ATT offers that) - in Germany copper lines handle all the way to DSL16.000 but I am not sure of the situation in the US. My son has DSL56.000, but that is glass fibre lines.

Btw: I never had any problems with my DSL from ATT which I use since early 2007. In Germany I use a subsidiary of German Telecom and pay only appr. $20/month for DSL6000. It is more money here.

 

[SledgeDG]

DSL6000 comes over copper wire, that's correct. The differences in speed between DSL3000 and up until DSL16000, as I understand it, are basically different portions of usable frequencies the copper wire can handle.
Since I'm in the backwoods (nowhere near a big city) I expect the wire quality of the aged grid here to be sub standard at best. I just talked to an ATT representative (there was a package deal for $14.95/month). Turns out they don't even serve New England at all.
So it's either Verizon or I find anything better.
So far I have a bundle offer for ~$45/month they call it 7.1-15MB/sec I assume that is equivalent to DSL 6000, right?
for $/10 less I only get 0.5-1.5MB/sec (which sounds to me like a pain in the rear

We'll see what else I can dig up here

 

[whs]

I think that is Mb/sec, not MB/sec. And you really only know once you measure it. Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test

 

[Britton30]

You are fortunate to have DSL available, I understand one has to be within XX miles of a main switch of the provider.

WHS is correct, internet "speed" is quoted as mega bits per second, Mbs, generally. Divide Mbs by 8 to get megabytes per second, MBs

 

[whs]

I think the bit/sec was chosen because in the pre-digital times the line speed was measured in Baud which was pulses per second. Baud - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia