Broadband.
    This means many things to many people. To me it means having an Internet connection that just works like you always thought it should. Pages appear when you click on the links, downloads of that big program or update don't take all night, pictures become a help, rather than a hindrance, it just works.
    While I read that many folks still have complaints about DSL and Broadband in general, I have been very satisfied with my BellSouth FastAccess DSL connection. Consistent speeds of 1.2 MBs/second, very few (and short) service interruptions, reasonable customer service. Self Install went very smooth, even though I didn't use any of their software as I am using a SMC 7004ABR Router which will support a PPPoE connection without having to install any additional software on your computer. I had switch routers a couple of times due to various failures, I use a D-Link DI-604 now and have been very satisfied for over a year.
    I believe that I had so few problems because I read up on DSL and had wiring in place before the Self Install Kit arrived. I will attempt to provide you with links and sources for the info and products that helped me get my DSL service online the same day I received the kit.
    DSL is sent down the same copper pair (of wires) as your phone service (voice). The DSL is high in frequency (over 10KHz) while the voice is low (under 10KHz).
The phone company will generally suggest you use 'distributed wiring', this means using the phone wiring already present in your house or apartment and installing a filter at each phone to isolate them from the DSL signal otherwise you would hear the DSL signal as a high pitched squeal or whine when you used the phone.
    This is OK if you have newer wiring in good repair. This is not the case in most homes. The wiring has no twist to the pairs, in most cases, and that can cause noise and crosstalk which can affect your DSL speed.
    I suggest that you install a POTS/DSL splitter with a homerun of CAT-5 wire to the DSL modem location. Some folks call this overkill, but with the seven + phone devices I have I would have needed more filters than were included in my self install kit and I felt the money was better spent separating the two systems (DSL and POTS) rather than buying more filters and finding out if the distributed method would work OK.
    This avoids any troubles with your in house phone wiring and provides a clean path for the DSL to your modem.
Some links to homerun wiring info:
NID / POTS/DSL Splitter wiring Diagram at DSLreports.
Homerun Wiring Instructions Here.
General DSL Information Here.
DSL Wiring at DSL Nuts. Update: A fellow from http://www.homephonewiring.com/ wrote to me advising that the instructions at DSL Nuts involved accessing the phone company side of the NID. This can put you in a bad situation with your phone company if there are problems with the work you have done, or if there is later damage to equipment. I would advise you to avoid the company side of the NID. I was able to wire all my installations without opening the secure side of the NID. With an external splitter, this is easy to do without accessing the company side.

    Your choice of modem is also important. The internal PCI cards seem to have a lot of troubles and it is hard to share your internet connection with other computers in your home.
    USB modems work fine, though some folks report that the computer 'loses' the modem after several hours of inactivity. Unplugging and plugging in the USB connection (and/or a reboot) seems to solve the problem, but it's an annoyance. This sort of modem can share the connection with a special router with USB inputs. These are available under the Vigor brand name and maybe others. This router should also solve the lost modem trouble as it never goes to 'sleep'. USB only modems are generally not what your provider will supply.
    By far the best solution is to get a Ethernet modem such as a Alcatel Speed Touch Home (dated) or a Westall. Most DSL modems are now available with both USB and Ethernet connections, this is 'a good thing' as you can have the convenience of USB when needed plus the Ethernet if you want to 'move up' to a router later.
    Update: BellSouth now supplies a Westall Modem that can be used without a router, but on the forums at DSL Reports (AKA - BroadBand Reports) the talk is that using a separate router is more secure or , at least, more versatile. Routers with a NAT like the Westalls can share the connection with just a ethernet switch.
    Here are some links to more info on DSL and other Broadband sharing. To my knowledge you cannot share a Cable AOL connection due to the proprietary VPN (Virtual Private Networking) that AOL uses, this may also apply to AOL over DSL. If anyone has any info on this, send it on, I will be glad to post some links about this here.
   Update: Several folks wrote to tell me about this page http://www22.brinkster.com/aznmafia415/networking. This fellow has a tutorial about the Simultaneous Logon capability of AOL 8. Covers multiple AOL users over DSL, Cable and Satellite. Check it out.
    PracticallyNetworked.com There is lots of info here, including reviews of routers and other products, links to wiring info and more.
    A Google search on Internet Connection Sharing with a router.
    BroadbandReports.com AKA DSLReports.com Much info in this online community, including forums on various providers and types of service.
And, of course, BellSouth FastAccess. Make sure you tell them ajerig@bellsouth.net sent you!

AJ September 7, 2002 Updated Febuary 8, 2005