>>>>>A side note about the modem speeds: Copper lines can only go 53.(something) k due to nature (copper isn't very quick, like gold or silver when it comes to transferring data, it has something to do with the electrons and resistance or something). Now when optical lines come around, then we'll see screaming lines...
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>>>Actually, the problem's not the copper, it's the phone system itself. DSL can run up to 1.5 mbs on regular copper.
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>>>>Don't hold your breath, at least not in my area! My POTS (USWEST) has a high speed xDSL service available, but I was told I can't get it because I have fiber optic lines for my phones. Their service requires copper lines!
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>>>Sadly, DSL runs only on copper. That leaves you in the ironic position of having technology too advanced for your own good! On the upside, when they start offering high speed access of the fiber optic lines you should be able to get extremely fast service. I'm sure they have no answer on when that will happen, though. Don't forget, they're the phone company.
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>>Ain't that the truth! I've looked into other types of high speed access, and they all have a major limitation: Great download speed (up to 10M bit) but 33K up load. I need both directions. I might just have to get cable modem service until they decide to get their act together. Sigh, I just wish they could have told me about the phone lines 18 months ago when I first asked!
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>1) The disparity between upload and download that you're refering to is probably for a satellite system (which uses a regular modem for upstream communications). ADSL will get you between 640K - 7.1Mbps downstream and 112k - 1.5Mbps upstream depending on the services available. If you need more symetrical bandwidth, the option to look for is SDSL (Symetrical DSL).
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Yes, one of the options was DirectPC, (about 400K D/L) and another was SpeedChoice (10Mbit D/L). Both 33K U/L. I'm sure there are many, many options available if you have an unlimited budget! I'm trying to keep this in the under $60 a month type range.

>2) I guarantee you can get xDSL in your home (if offered by your CLEC). The fact that you have fiber from your C.O. does not obviate the fact that you have copper going into your house (unless you have some sort of technology you're not telling us about and all your phones/modems plug directly into fiberoptic cable!).

No, it's copper from the street to the house, but it's fiber in the street. Hence, no service available.

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>Still waiting for DSL here, too 8^(

Some day...