If you have heard even something about DSL, you will have heard about distance. Your phone lines normally terminate at a telco office, usually nearby. This distance, (the length of your line between your location and the telco office), is a very important factor in whether or not you can get DSL, and what speed you can get. The gauge of the copper lines may also be a factor.
Here are some rules of thumb for distance ranges. Please be aware that especially with non Telco ADSL lines, distance limits for speeds can vary widely from company to company. There are cases where it is policy for "residential" DSL lines not to be offered as far out as functionally identical "business" products!

The subject of distance and DSL is so important, we've added a special page for it, check this for detailed distance information per DSL network : Distance charts.

Note: The information below is not recent, and is probably not accurate any longer.

Distance In Feet	comment
less than 5000	You will have little trouble getting all speeds of DSL
5000-10600	You may have trouble getting the highest speeds on offer
10600-15000	The danger zone for DSL from national CLECs like Covad and NorthPoint. Speeds on offer are pinned back steadily until they reach 192k for 15,000 feet. If your line is longer than around 15000 feet, they may not accept an order.
15000-18000	In this range, Telco ADSL is normally still available, although it may be restricted to 300-500k speeds
18000-22000	Telco ADSL is not available, although in a few areas, RADSL may be a product you can get. RADSL is speed-variable. Some smaller DSL specialist CLECs may have solutions for you.
22000-28000	Using less commonly used DSL equipment, it is still possible to use lines of this length.
18000-28000	IDSL is an alternative or possibly the only alternative. IDSL is 144k/sec, about four-six times modem speed.
28000-38000	IDSL is the only alternative

PLEASE NOTE: I did not write the original material here, I simply updated the FAQ with info that was relevant at the time, around eight years ago. If you have updated valid info please use the link at the bottom to submit your remarks and updated info.