DSL Optimization in Long Island and Westchester County

DSL is a popular high-speed Internet solution in Long Island and Westchester County because of its speed and widespread availability. DSL is also very affordable, with prices averaging about half of those charged by cable companies.

If you don't have cable television, then DSL is an even better deal. Most cable companies charge higher rates for Internet service if you don't also subscribe to their television service. So for people who subscribe to satellite television services (or those who simply don't watch television enough to bother subscribing to any television service), cable Internet can cost, on average, three times as much as DSL.

(Click here for answers to some common FAQ's about DSL)

DSL Speed and Dependability

At Geek On The Run, we pride ourselves on being honest and straightforward; so we're not going to deny that DSL, for all its benefits, is a flaky and temperamental technology. Both the speed and reliability of a DSL connection can be affected by numerous factors, including:

• Your distance from the phone company's central office or remote DSLAM, measured in feet of wire (not the driving distance or the distance "as the crow flies"). The greater the distance, the more problems you're likely to encounter; and if the distance is more than 18,000 feet, you may as well forget about DSL.

• The quality of the "public" phone lines. Old or poor-quality wiring between your location and the Central Office or DSLAM can severely impact DSL speed and reliability.

• The quality of your telephone wiring (that is, the wiring inside your home or business). Obsolete or poor-quality wiring, wiring that has been split or spliced, or wiring that is shared with devices such as alarm system transponders can adversely affect your DSL performance.

• The total number of phone devices on the line. Every phone, fax machine, DSL filter, or other device on the phone line carrying the DSL signal adds a little capacitance and voltage drop to the circuit, which in turn can reduce the speed and stability of the DSL service.

Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about the first two problems. But over the years, we've found that a significant percentage of our clients' DSL problems result from deficiencies in their own wiring. And that we can do something about.

DSL Optimization: Improving DSL Speed and Stability

If your DSL service is suffering due to deficiencies in you own wiring, we can help. Our DSL optimization service consists of the following: (Click here for a helpful, explanatory diagram that will open in a new window so you can keep reading.)

1. We install a DSL/POTS splitter immediately downstream of the phone company's NIB (the Network Interace Box, or the place where the public phone lines are connected to the wiring in your building). This is usually located on an outside wall, in the basement, or in a mechanical room.

2. We run a new, dedicated line (often called a "home run") from the splitter to the DSL modem, using Category 5e UTP cable. This reduces overall capacitance and improves signal quality. (Exception: If a suitable, unused line already exists between the two points, then the new line may not be needed.)

3. If possible, we relocate the DSL modem to a place as close to the NIB as possible, and run Ethernet cable from the modem to the computer or router. Ethernet is much less susceptible to degradation over distance than a DSL signal is.

How much improvement can I expect?

Frankly, it varies. If your DSL problems are due strictly to deficiencies in your own wiring, then you can expect dramatic improvements in speed and stability. But none of what we do will in any way correct problems caused by factors other than your building's wiring.

How much does it cost?

That depends mainly on the location of the NIB in relation to the computer or router, and the difficulty of running a cable between those two points. The final cost will reflect the cost of the splitter, the cable and associated doodads, and the labor necessary to perform the work.

For more information or to schedule an estimate, please contact us.