The optimizer being described has nothing to do with data speed, but has to do with the line quality. If the optimizer believes your circuit will not be stable at 3Mbps, it will decrease your speed. Ask Verizon to disable the ASSIA Optimizer and reprovision your circuit to 3Mbps with a change speed order (no cost to you - this is how their provisioning system works).
If you can tell us what modem and router you have, let's see if we can get your Transceiver Statistics. This information will help us find out if your line is having stability issues, or if you have headroom for more than 3Mbps. This doesn't mean you'll get more than 3M, but it's a start.
If you're looking to get Cable Internet to your home, see if your local town has a clause in the Franchise agreement which might make the job of extending plant to you cheaper or free. Otherwise, you'll need to set up a Weather proofed enclosure and use some Ubiquiti Gear (a suggestion for P2P Wireless) or some other outdoor rated cable to send the connection to your house.
If you wnat to continue giving the DSL a try, post up on the Verizon Direct forum at DSLReports. Standard support may not be trained to deal with the optimizer.
Start a new topic or ask questions in the open forum.
