From New Zealand Connections

A naked DSL (a.k.a. standalone or dryloop DSL) is a digital subscriber line (DSL) without a PSTN (analogue telephony) service—or the associated dial tone. In other words, only a standalone DSL Internet service is provided on the local loop.

Contents 1 Comparison of Regular and Naked DSL 2 Availability 2.1 United States 2.2 United Kingdom 2.3 Canada 2.4 Australia 2.5 New Zealand 2.6 Known availability

Comparison of Regular and Naked DSL

In regular DSL, a wire is run from the telephone switch to a piece of equipment called a Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) splitter. The POTS splitter separates the DSL and voice bands and then a wire carrying both services runs from the splitter to the cable head, where it continues on to the customer on outside plant.

In naked DSL the portion of cable from the switch to the splitter is removed, therefore removing dial tone from the line. It is possible that the customer would have dial tone through a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) instead of the local telco (ILEC), or that they use cellular service or VOIP exclusively in place of a traditional land line.

Availability

United States

On March 25, 2005, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled 3-2 against utilities commissions in Florida, Georgia (U.S. state), Kentucky, and Louisiana who sought to force BellSouth to unbundle their DSL service from their local phone service.

Qwest Communications currently provides naked DSL service voluntarily, and Verizon Communications also provides it in some areas, albeit at a higher price than it charges customers who bundle it with regular phone service. This makes Verizon's naked DSL not able to compete with its own bundled service, and not the most economical choice for consumers who want DSL. The cheapest landline plus the bundled DSL costs about the same, $32, as the naked DSL, in effect causing DSL to cost *at least* that amount. Frontier Communications (AKA Citizens and Newnorth) also offer naked DSL in several of their coverage areas at a cost of $20 a month, making it cheaper than traditional POTS+DSL service, and occasionally cheaper than local competing cable services.

United Kingdom

It is not possible to get Naked DSL service (excluding Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line) in the United Kingdom, though it is possible to get the POTS and DSL from different service providers.

Canada

Since the CRTC ruling of 21 July 2003, it should be theoretically possible to have Naked DSL and some companies do provide this service. There is not yet widespread adoption, due largely to a lack of consumer awareness, but some listings such as Canadian ISP exist to help consumers find a service available to them. Naked DSL is currently provided by Telus Communications in the province of British Columbia. If a subscriber also has a cellular phone, a discount is provided. There was previously a $15 surcharge on a dry loop, but this has since been removed. Bell Canada also provides Naked DSL in all areas where DSL is Available. This service is provided for free.

Australia

Amnet was the first ISP in Australia to officially launch Naked DSL product live (14/11/2007), shortly followed by iiNet (15/11/2007). Exetel's "Naked" ADSL2 Services (1/12/07)

New Zealand

Naked DSL service in New Zealand is provided by CallPlus New Zealand (Slingshot) (website), Supra (website), KiwiLink (website) and WorldxChange Communications (website).

Naked DSL has been launched, with a lot of interest on the Geekzone forums regarding the service. Many have reported that Internet provider, WorldxChange have reverted to call backs for signing customers up to the service during the launch of Naked DSL.

Some people criticised both the price and provisioning aspects of the service. A few have countered, saying that Naked DSL is simply not a 'one size fits all' solution.

With Naked DSL in New Zealand, prices for the broadband service typically are higher due to the cost of maintaining the copper which traditionally was extracted from the landline pricing. However, overall - pricing for Naked DSL tends to lead to savings but is dependent on plans and usage with some getting better pricing or minimal savings keeping their landline.

Naked DSL pricing comparisons can be found on the Internet Plans comparison page.

Switching to Naked DSL while trying to port your number can often confusing process. We've created a page which may be of value.

It is possible to get the POTS and DSL service from different service providers. Telecom New Zealand is the backbone provider for most DSL and POTS services and the majority of ISPs use Telecom's copper local loop to access customers.

Known availability

According to "Naked DSL: the potential impact in New Zealand Final report for the MED, April 2006" the following countries have Naked DSL available, if not country wide then at least via one company; New Zealand as of Sept 07, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Estonia, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United States.

Note that as of November 2007, Naked DSL is also available in Australia.