Sorry, Misread your post. Usually they connect with copper. The dslam is usually inside a central office. Central offices are normally near the center on city (downtown). Dslam can also be housed in a metal enclosure that service a neighborhood. The central office is a small to medium building that has no windows and sometime has the company decal on the door. At least this is the case in towns of 1-2000. You'll enjoy the extra speed. I know I did when I had it at my last house.