More than one DSL connection in the same house?

August 8, 2008 2:52 PM

Is it possible to have more than one DSL connection in the same house?

I've been sharing a DSL connection, and have decided I'd rather just purchase my own. Is it possible to have more than one DSL connection in the same house? Would I be charged an additional fee for anything (I don't know if they'd need to install a separate line or not, and if that'd cost me money)? This would be with Verizon, if it matters. Does anyone have any experience doing this, if it's possible?

I could call and ask Verizon, but I don't have much desire to talk with their customer support.

Additionally, since we also use Verizon phone services, would the "discount" also apply (one package is usually $35 a month, but only $30 a month if you have an existing Verizon phone service)?

posted by Dreamcast to computers & internet (12 comments total)

It's definitely possible to have more than one to the same address; lots of buildings have multiple apartments. You probably will need a separate line, which would cost a reasonably small amount of extra money every month. I think I once got SBC to give me a line for $5/mo that didn't even have free local calling.

You should call Verizon. You would not be talking to customer support, you would be talking to sales, who generally are much more eager to actually talk to you.
posted by aubilenon at 2:58 PM on August 8, 2008

You should call Verizon and not really post this to AskMe.
posted by fixedgear at 3:00 PM on August 8, 2008 [4 favorites has favorites]

Speaking from the perspective of working at a major telecom - you may want to look into using service lookup tools at some place like:

DSLREPORTS

At this site you can find what the DSL providers in your area can offer with reviews of user experiences. Many of them offer services like what you're asking, and can set it up fast and painlessly due to the service level agreements they have with those who own your last mile copper.
posted by mctsonic at 3:05 PM on August 8, 2008

You *should* be able to get what you want. You'll need a second line run to your house, if there isn't an extra pair already available. You'll probably have to pay the unbundled price if you don't also order voice service.

Call your telco. Someone should be able to help you, keep asking until someone does.
posted by Good Brain at 3:40 PM on August 8, 2008

fixedgear: So, it's all right to ask convoluted relationship questions that can't even really be answered because no one knows the people involved, but it's not all right to ask a question that actually can be answered? Sorry I'm not asking about something more interesting, like ordering eyeglasses online. Jesus Christ.

everyone else: Thanks.
posted by Dreamcast at 4:00 PM on August 8, 2008

It can actually be answered by Verizon, but you'd rather post it here. I'm having a problem with PECO (my local utility company), should I maybe call them or ask here?
posted by fixedgear at 4:03 PM on August 8, 2008

I could call and ask Verizon, but I don't have much desire to talk with their customer support.

Sounds reasonable to me.
posted by puritycontrol at 4:53 PM on August 8, 2008

You could also consider getting a dry loop DSL connection, which may (depending on your local options) not involve Verizon (for you) at all. Perhaps they could provide an extra DSL line but it's likely not the only option.

Calling Verizon is not your only option.

Fixedgear, it is entirely possible that there might be multiple local billing/marketing companies for your utilities, in which case you very well should ask here. This was a perfectly appropriate AskMe question, as yours would be (if it were real, and not just obnoxious).
posted by mikel at 5:37 PM on August 8, 2008

A word of warning: when dealing with someone other than Verison over Verison-maintained lines, be prepared for some passive aggression. They would say things like, "the regulations say we have to address your problem within 30 days, so we'll be calling you back in 29 days."
posted by StickyCarpet at 6:59 PM on August 8, 2008

You could also consider getting a dry loop DSL connection...

No offense to the asker, but if they aren't sure about this question already, dealing with this is not going to be a workable solution. What exactly is the other end going to be connected to, anyway?
posted by odinsdream at 7:29 PM on August 8, 2008

A "dry loop" DSL connection (aka "naked loop" DSL or some other terms) means running DSL over a line that doesn't have dialtone service and isn't connected to the POTS. It runs from the customer to the DSLAM, where the DSL signal originates. The DSL service could theoretically come from any number of providers, who just rent switch space from the ILEC.

Before Bush's FCC cronies and a friendly appeals court gutted the rules, the idea was that ILECs (the Baby Bells, now Verizon in many places) had to lease both switch space and access to customers via dry loops to third parties (CLECs, ISPs) at fixed and non-discriminatory rates. This meant you could potentially choose from a number of ISPs for DSL, or several CLECs for phone service, and then only pay the Baby Bell a small amount for the actual last-mile loop. This is no longer enforced by the FCC, and many ILECs raised their dry loop rates a lot and stopped renting out switches and ports when it stopped being required, but if you're lucky you can still do it.

It used to be possible to call Speakeasy and tell them you wanted dry-loop DSL, and they would manage getting everything set up with the phone company (you had to be there obviously when the wireman came to do the install) and charge you for both the loop and service on one bill. It was very nice in the areas where it was available. I don't know where it still is (not where I live, apparently — if you want DSL here, you're getting it from Verizon), though.

Anyway ... back to the OP's question ... it's only possible to have one DSL connection per phone line. But you can have as many phone lines coming into your house as you'd like (read: can afford). Each one can have a separate DSL connection. Unfortunately, you may need to pay for local telephone service on each line in order to get DSL, because Verizon and many other ILECs don't offer DSL without it. (In my area, a phone line with local service is $35/mo, although a second line may be cheaper, I'm not sure. Basic DSL starts at $15-20, but some areas have packages as low as $12, or so I'm told.)

If it's at all possible, I'd really exhaust all the possibilities involving rationed sharing of a single DSL connection before embarking on getting a second phone line; it's probably cheaper to get a higher-bandwidth plan on the existing line than a second one, and you could then set up a router that gave each user a set amount of transfer. That would "feel" like having two separate connections but wouldn't cost as much. A WRT54GL running one of the many aftermarket firmwares will do the routing easily.
posted by Kadin2048 at 9:27 PM on August 8, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

easier than any trouble will billing or rewiring for a second DSL connection would be just getting a cable modem... (assuming you have a cable jack in the room with your computer or are looking to set up a wireless network for yourself)
posted by noloveforned at 1:26 PM on August 9, 2008