In article .com,
"w_tom" wrote:

wrote:
I know I should have DSL. It's about twice that expensive here for DSL.

Is this what you have described?
http://www.inwap.com/inwap/chez/Phoneline.jpg

If so, this 30+ year old (obsolete) technology should be removed.

Only if there is protection elsewhere.

Best is to run a clean Cat5 wire from their new Network Interface
Device (NID) to a junction inside where all existing phone lines can
connect. Or even better, where possible, run a new Cat 5 wire to that
phone wall jack.

Assuming a NID exists, and there are HUNDREDS of thousands of "grandfathered"
services that have not been upgraded, this is good advice.

BTW, you wire must enter building within something
like six inches of the NID.

This is incorrect. Any wire leaving a NID is CUSTOMER property. You can use
bailing wire and coat hangars if you like - and run it in ANY manner you like.

Don't forget to create a drip loop before enters building.

Good advice. If drilling IN from the outside, slant the bit UPWARDS to
prevent water from following the wire.

This above obsolete device earths a phone line for transient
protection. That function (using superior technology) is now inside
the NID. Furthermore, this obsolete device will make DSL not possible.

Nonsense. A properly functioning, old protector works PERFECTLY with DSL.

Nothing magic about that obsolete protector. As it fails, it will
even create noise on POTS phones.

This is EXTREMELY rare. Virtually ALL protectors cause NO trouble and quite
literally DO NOTHING until they close to ground with a large surge.

Cut it out.

Ensure there is protection elsewhere if you do.

new wires must be Cat5 or better.

Wrong. You can run POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) and DSL (Digital
Subscriber Line possibly slightly degraded) on bailing wire and coat hangars,
provided they are properly connected and insulated from each other and a
ground source.

I have always marveled that much new construction installs Category 5e Cable
to the phone jacks for POTS use. Cat 5 wire connected to a "Cat 2-1/2"
network is overkill. Cat 5 wire is NOT required for POTS - its for data. Old
phone wire works just fine for DSL, too. You'll notice DSL travels over a
flat phone cord that runs between the telephone outlet and the DSL modem. It
does NOT need data-rated cable.

That obsolete transient protector is your responsibility.

Wrong. It belongs to, and is the responsibility of, the telco.
--

JR