Please help me understand how "high speed" internet can come from a phone jack
AG17
Enthusiast - Level 1

I'm really interested in getting Verizon's high speed internet (power plan) and I just watched the installation video on how to set it all up. It seems very easy but something just doesn't make sense to me. How is it possible to get high speed internet from a phone jack? Wouldn't it just be like dial up all over again? If someone could please elaborate I would greately appreciate it!

Thanks.

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Re: Please help me understand how "high speed" internet can come from a phone jack
somegirl
Champion - Level 3

It's a different type of connection that runs on a different frequency. "HSI" or "High Speed Internet" is the new name that Verizon has tagged onto DSL (Or "Digital Subscriber Line") service.

If you are really curious about the ins and outs, you might check out the Wikipedia Article.

One thing is for sure, it is NOT dial-up. Much faster, and you can be on the phone and the internet at the same time.

Re: Please help me understand how "high speed" internet can come from a phone jack
AG17
Enthusiast - Level 1

Thanks so for the info and fast response! Now one more question, have you or anyone else tried Skype with a DSL connection? If so, any problems or lagging? PS: I want to use Skype for video chat.

Thanks again.

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Re: Please help me understand how "high speed" internet can come from a phone jack
AG17
Enthusiast - Level 1

Also one more thing. I have a pretty old phone jack, could that pose any big problems? I know it works but I just wanted to know if you need really new phone jacks for DSL to work correctly.

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Re: Please help me understand how "high speed" internet can come from a phone jack
jmw1950
Specialist - Level 2

Skype will work fine, I have used it. Remember that the voice data rate on a cell phone is typically 9600 bits per second, and even on Verizon's lowest rate DSL, the uplink is 128,000 bits per second. That leaves quite a bit left for skype video.

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Re: Please help me understand how "high speed" internet can come from a phone jack
AG17
Enthusiast - Level 1

Thanks for the information! I don't really plan on using Skype a whole lot but it's just good to know that I can.

I'm still wondering if I need a new phone jack or if older ones can still work with Verizon HSI?

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Re: Please help me understand how "high speed" internet can come from a phone jack
jmw1950
Specialist - Level 2

Usually there is no reason to add or replace the phone jack.  You are just going to have to try it, and see whether or not  you are getting the Version provision speed  by looking at the transceiver stats on the Modem/Router. That will tell you what the speed of your connection to the central office is.

However sometimes there is so much wiring in the house that DSL signal levels are lowered significantly on the jack you are own, causing reduced performance. The fastest speed you will get is the lower of either the Verizon Provisoned speed, or the highest speed the DSL modem can negotiate with the Central Office equipment.

So if your DSL service isn't somewhere near what you are paying for (and you have installed the DSL filters on all of the phone jacks except the one you are going to use for DSL)  Verizon can send out a tech who can measure the signal at the Network Interface Box, and inside the house. If it is good outside, and not so good inside, the standard remedy is to install a 'whole house'  DSL filter essentially where the phone line enters the house, and then either add a new jack that is connected in front of the DSL filter, of move one of the existing jack;s wiring to connect in front of the DSL filter.

Having the DSL filter before any of  house wiring minimizes the spread/loss of signal as it goes through all of the house wiring, and forces all of the DSL signal through the one pair that is connected in front of the DSL filter.

Re: Please help me understand how "high speed" internet can come from a phone jack
AG17
Enthusiast - Level 1

Thank you so much for the reply. It helped a great deal! I'll just have to give it a go and hope for the best.

Thanks!

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