Question about DSL service

[deepNdirt]

I'm not exactly new to IT world, But I have a question in regards to something I was told today, I cannot despute what was said although neither can I confirm it
the subject came up today in conversation about Internet service ( DSL ) and the different types of routers being used, I told them I was very proud of My DSL service ( WS ) though it wasn't until after I changed the modem from the one provide by the phone service to a Modem/wireless router type I had purchsed used, ( Netopia ) has been a very reliable router, this person advised me that when having a all in one router such as the netopia and I was not using the cheap provided one from my server, That I shouldn't need a provided DSL he said that I could cancel DSL and the modem/router should decode the DSL signal from the phone line and recieve DSL without need of subscribed to DSL service....................

anyone ever hear of such a thing? I haven't really a way to know this unless of course I cancel the DSL and try it, But I'm not a believer of everything I'm told, so I'm not going to cancel, Just curious about it

 

[chrisott]

I have DSL and have never heard of this, so I will be dropping back to this thread to see what unfolds. It just seems odd that one can just use the DSL service without paying for it - just because it's on the land line.

 

[Willl]

Don't sound right, that be like free internet. Everybody would be doing it.

Maybe he meant the rent you were paying on the 'supplied' modem ?

 

[Mighty Dodge]

AS far as I know you can't do that. The dsl signal is provided by the phone co. over your phone line. If you cancel, they'll stop providing the dsl signal over your phone line.

 

[Ilikeurtractor]

Generally modems, whether they are DSL, cable, or whatever have a MAC (media access control) address that the provider should be aware of. Any MACs not registered with the provider should not be served up internet but I have seen where providers got sloppy and forgot to cancel modem MACs taken out of service. In no case should you be able to get internet service by slapping in any old modem (new or used) to get service but again it depends on how the provider handles it. Today I would guess this would be difficult to do.

 

[massey990]

Your provider is Windstream and you are able to use a 3rd party modem?

 

[deepNdirt]

The information he provided to me was from what he had found out about while servicing a cutomers computer at the customers business, he stated he wasn't aware of this ability until he was servicing the computer and this type hardware ( Modem/router ) connected and the computer owner had not subscribed to DSL but yet was receiving the service,
said he had called in to the phone service provider to ask what speed this person was supposed to be receiving and is when found out there was no subscription to DSL on that line, I don't know.... It could be a record error on the phone service provider but this IT person told his customer to keep using it as it is and I suppose this is how he got his Info or assume to have got it by no active DSL on the line, He wrote it off as it being these type of Modems,
I tried doing a search over the net on these particular name brand modems but nothing actually turned up in relation to the issue,
I know the brains of TBN would know better

 

[deepNdirt]

Your provider is Windstream and you are able to use a 3rd party modem?

this is the same reaction he had.... and is why he was telling me this, he said if I were able to use this modem and not the Winstream then I must have one of the Modems that could decode DSL, or something like that

actually back earlier this year I called into WS to ask for speed upgrade, they told me I needed another modem that they could see mine was outdated, I told them no I had my own modem now that was much better than what they were providing, she went on to tell me they must send me this new one anyway and that I should use it according to their service policy etc,etc, ..... so they sent it but I have never used it. its still brand new in the box, I'm happy with what I have until it dies..... but my point is perhaps there was something more to it is why she was suggesting that I use their modem?

 

[massey990]

this is the same reaction he had.... and is why he was telling me this, he said if I were able to use this modem and not the Winstream then I must have one of the Modems that could decode DSL, or something like that

actually back earlier this year I called into WS to ask for speed upgrade, they told me I needed another modem that they could see mine was outdated, I told them no I had my own modem now that was much better than what they were providing, she went on to tell me they must send me this new one anyway and that I should use it according to their service policy etc,etc, ..... so they sent it but I have never used it. its still brand new in the box, I'm happy with what I have until it dies..... but my point is perhaps there was something more to it is why she was suggesting that I use their modem?

Interesting, does the modem you are currently using have a login interface?

I could get a connection but I could not get any data or send any requests without using their modem (that I think uses ppoe). If the (WS) modem is reset the user ID and password has to be entered into the modem's interface or no go.

 

[jwstewar]

I think it was more of mistake on the part of the phone company to provide DSL service. I know when we added DSL service to our phone lines it had to be turned on at the home office and then there was a head-in that configuration changes also had to be made to support the DSL service. They had to do this both times we have had DSL service added - same phone line and everything. We just didn't have phone line/DSL while we built the new house after the fire.