DSL , high-speed Internet service provided through your telephone line. Jato's target audience is small and medium businesses. The primary problem with this service is that many people can't get it. Each switching station covers 18,000 feet, or about 3.5 miles of service area. For example, even though almost everyone can get a phone, Qwest can offer DSL service to only about 36 percent of Tucson residents and businesses.
Speed degrades with every foot from that central office.
However, for rural consumers, the cost is prohibitive. In addition to the larger phone companies, private firms are joining the DSL fray, now that the FCC has given them permission to share existing phone lines. That's how Covad and Jato have been able to appear here. Unfortunately, consumers find out only after opening the box whether their skills are up to the task of installing an internal modem and configuring their PC, as well as loading at least five CDs' worth of software. Cable modem , installed by a cable company.