Hi Solid,
re: quick provisioning of dsl (and cablemodems, for that matter):
It's entirely feasible if all aspects have been taken into account properly and the end user's desktop meets system requirements. Standards are wonderful that way. Like someone else here has mentioned, however, there're probably some issues that the poster didn't cover. Who notifies the telco in order to place the order to have the line and central office provisions tended to (or upgraded if it's the same line that is being used for voice).
When the line is not pre-certified, or is in an area that is borderline, it may requite an "engineering review" in order to "clear it" it for dsl. And then there are always the central office options which need to be set. And dare I mention the armwrestling contests that new users get into with repair service attendants when their new line come out still-born, or experiences "infant mortality?"
And then there are a great many residential users who are already on active loops, (using older generation digital loop carrier system channels, as opposed to straight copper or next gen DLCs) who are ineligible for DSL until their carrier concentrators are upgraded to "next gen" compliant characteristics.
Once the line has been "certified" for dsl implementation, does the premises cabling need to be upgraded to Cat 3 or Cat 5? No one will bother to enforce this, leaving the end user to the devices of their own destruction, but many older residential buildings are still using inside wire that was installed during the Hoover administration which is non-conducive to high speed data.
But on the whole, the article depicts a realistic scenario if we ignore the above contingencies. One would think that AOL's volume is so great that they could actually cut a contract with UPS and Fed Ex to "stock" the darn things and deliver them same day. Now, there's a thought, eh?
Frank |
