(snip)

Most all NID's have a modular phone jack that will connect you to the
phone company side of the line. If you get a dialtone on a phone plugged
in there, the problem is in your house. That's the first thing the phone
guy will do/check.
If no dial tone, it's a phone company problem. The fly in the ointment is
the fact that your DSL is intact...it uses the very same wire as the phone
signal.

Not Always- if his DSL is not from Verizon, or if their DSL farm is not at
CO, the DSL could be on the second pair, and the second demarc jack, if it
has one. Mine is, as are all the non-telco DSL installs in town here. (Makes
for some interesting and confusing connections in the block behind my desk.)

aem sends....