CAC DSL IN WESTFORD

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is a broadband data service provisioned over regular lines. It provides an "always on" connection similar to service, and also allows simultaneous use of the same phone line for voice calls. A recent FCC ruling may have a significant impact on DSL competition, because "line sharing" is now being phased out. DSL services are not licensed or regulated by the Town, in a manner similar to Cable TV services (note that cable access is not regulated locally either).

The Cable Advisory Committee therefore has no official purview over DSL services, but is concerned with DSL as a competitive Internet access technology to cable modem services. We furthermore have been disseminating information about DSL to Westford citizens who have expressed concern about the unavailability of Broadband cable services prior to the summer of 2003. Certain DSL offerings also provide advantages as a broadband Internet option for Westford businesses. Important features in this context include: static IP addresses, VPN compatibility, higher upstream (e.g., with sDSL), and usage terms that allow for web servers and high traffic volume.

After other earlier providers went bankrupt, DSL has been championed in Westford by a nearby

company, ProSpeed.Net. Leasing space from Verizon in our Telephone Central Office (CO), ProSpeed has installed DSLAMs (DSL Access Multiplexers) which they maintain themselves. They are an independent Broadband ISP based in neighboring Tyngsboro, and have been aggressively seeking to cater to Westford's residential, SOHO and corporate community with a number of DSL variants. ProSpeed can currently deliver symmetrical (sDSL) bandwidth throughout a large geographical area in Westford. Subscriptions (minimum 1-year term) are available at varying speeds up to full T1 (based on distance from the CO at 1 Depot ST), and at costs starting as low as ~$30/mo.

Several hundred Westford residents have already signed up for ProSpeed DSL, although the company is now seeing competition from other DSL providers, most notably Verizon itself, which only recently began aggressive marketing of residential and commercial aDSL in Westford. Other DSL providers now also offer DSL in Westford, or will do so in the near future. Most notable among these is Cyberonic, a company based in Worcester, MA which can provide better bandwidth for the price than most of its competitors.

For more information about DSL, browse the links at the left. DSL Reports is particularly recommended - its website includes many FAQs, as well as speed tests, user forums, and a useful service locator tool.