RT is short for Remote Terminal. An RT is generally any type of switching or routing equipment that is located outside of the traditional Telephone Central Office (C.O.). An RT is linked back to the C.O.. Most are linked by fiber optic cable either directly to the C.O. or on a SONET (Synchronous Optical NETwork). Some older RTs are linked by T1s back to the C.O. over copper pairs.
RTs often go by many other names depending on the manufacturer, type, or region. Some common names are: RT, Slc or slick, Slc96 or slick 96, PairGain, Fujitsu, Series5, Remote Office, LightSpan, CEV (controlled environment vault), and they go on. A traditional RT should not be confused with a U-Verse VRAD.
RTs are not a new technology. Many Telcos have been using the technology for decades. RTs were originally used to serve high growth areas where there are limited copper facilities. RTs come in many shapes sizes and capabilities. Many RTs still in service today are not DSL capable.

In the last decade or so, RTs have been implemented to break the 18,000 foot DSL limitation from the central office and to serve people in outlying areas. The objective is to put the DSL equipment (DSLAM) closer to the subscriber, thus eliminating the distance limitation.
Note: In some cases it is possible to be too far from an RT for DSL service.

Many people assume that if there is an RT near their home, they should be able to get DSL. This is flawed thinking on two levels. First and foremost, that RT may not even serve their home. There are actually cases where a party has an RT in their back yard, but they are not served by it.
Secondly, the RT may not be DSL capable.

Project Pronto has ceased. There is no longer any status available. "Pronto" was a project implemented to rapidly deploy DSL technology out to a majority of customers.
The "U-Verse" project was initiated a few years after Pronto. "U-Verse" is intended to provide voice, video, and data services.
Corporate link - »att.sbc.com/gen/press-ro ··· pid=5838

Yes, you can. Head to one of the following SBC ILEC sites to check for availability at a given phone number. (You'll need to go to the site of the ILEC that serves that phone number.)

Ameritech: http://www.ameritech.com/
Nevada Bell: http://www.nevadabell.com/
Pacific Bell: http://www.pacbell.com/
SNET: http://www.snet.com/
Southwestern Bell: http://www.swbell.com/

Most users will not be able to tell if they are on an RT or any other "pair gain" device. Usually a technician will have to manually check. This applies to DSL as well as POTS.

DSL performance is going to depend on your proximity to the DSLAM, be it C.O. or RT based. In general, customers fed from an RT are on fairly short loops (less than 12kft) and get good performance. This is not always the case. In some cases a customer can be too far away from the RT, just like someone can be too far from the C.O. for DSL service.
So, a C.O. based customer on a 6,000 foot loop would see better performance than an RT based customer with a 12,000 foot loop (to the RT). This works vice versa as well.

The simple answer to this question - you don't.
The only thing you can do that makes a difference is to put your name on the "waiting list" - (Please notify me when DSL is available in my area).
Calling, writing, collecting signatures, protests and demonstrations are all a waste of time. The placement of RT's is a revenue driven procedure. Once an area shows the potential for profit, it will not be long before the Splicers arrive.
You may think your area has good potential because of your desire for broadband; but in actuality there may be little interest or profit potential in the area.
Contrary to popular belief, affluent neighborhoods do not necessarily get preferential treatment. Rich people pay just as much for DSL as poor people (sometimes less).
If your are at your wits end and truly tired of waiting, might I suggest:
»Wireless Service Providers