The main thing to be aware is that Earthlink doesn't provide DSL connectivity directly - it contracts through several other companies. These companies "provision" your connection and are also known as CLECs (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier).

In some cases this may be your phone company (or ILEC - Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier) but by no means all cases. When your phone company provisions you they act both as your CLEC and ILEC.

Here's a simple way to find who provisions you...

GET YOUR PUBLIC IP AND LOOK UP IT'S NAME
One way to quickly do this is go to: »www.ipchicken.com and note what the "Name Address" ends with. Find your provisioning company below.

covad.net
You are provisioned by Covad. Your service is commonly called "Covad+IP".

qwest.net
You are provisioned by Qwest. Your service is commonly called "Qwest+IP".

earthlink.net, mindspring.com and all others
If BellSouth is your phone company, you are probably provisioned by them.
If Qwest is your phone company, you are probably provisioned by them.
If SBC is your phone company, you are probably provisioned by them.
If Verizon is your phone company, you are probably provisioned by them.

If your situation is not covered here, feel free to post to: »Earthlink DSL

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by Bill_MI edited by skj
last modified: 2005-04-10 22:21:13