> -----Original Message----- > From: tclug-list-bounces at mn-linux.org > [mailto:tclug-list-bounces at mn-linux.org]On Behalf Of Doug Reed > > My experience with Qwest ADSL was good, but only after complaining about > dropouts and poor service caused them to send out a computer/DSL tech > rather than the first guy on the list. The first guy was only able to > say, yup, its weak and noisy, just like I told them. He exhausted his > limited set of diagnostic methods and scheduled a callback from the next > higher tier of DSL service tech. The DSL tech had the equipment to look > at the line, see the levels and noise at my end. .... Relevant old story: I had significant problems with my Qwest phone lines when I first moved to the Eagan edge of Apple Valley in 1986. After several useless service calls, I contacted engineering friends who worked for AT&T to inquire about specs. I find it interesting to note that the couple had met when undergrads at MIT. She, then a young mom, was a hardware engineer (he software), who as a hobby interest had bought and assembled a small-town central office switching system in their garage. Greg told me that Carolyn would know my answer - and she did. She had and sent the relevant spec pages, and pointed out that I could easily verify the POTS spec with a DVM. It was out of clearly way out of spec. Turns out the phone company stands to lose their ICC-approved billing rates if caught and allowing out-of-spec operation. My service call reporting the out-of-spec data was almost instantly escalated to the engineering manager. He was cordial, but efficient. When I told him the measurement and the spec page number, he said he would be at my house withing 1/2 hour, and he was - along with two of his guys. They confirmed the data, and he sent them off to a distribution box about 3 miles away while we "talked shop". Due to lots of new construction requiring many expansions to that box, they had over-extended lines (distance without boosters) and had not had the needed boosters due to demand...and expense My problems were all fixed within a few hours. Had to call again many months later for another problem. Turned out one of the field guys had pinched a line in the cabinet door, leaving it badly unbalanced. Being on a first name basis with the manager got quick attention :-) DSL tests aren't as simple, but probably have similar force of ICC regulation behind them. Likely that just claiming the DSL line is out of spec and insisting on getting their measurement report from a qualified DSL service tech would be enough to get any needed corrective action in the future. Chuck