When you call to order DSL service, the first thing the phone rep will do is measure the distance between your house and the nearest phone company central office (CO) or remote terminal (RT). If you’re too far away, you don’t get to play.

For example, the technical limit on 2mpbs ADSL is 16000 ft. If the wired distance between you and them is more than that, you’re out of luck.

The DSL Service Locator is the very same tool that those ISPs use to trace your distance from the local CO/RT. Not only will it tell you your distance, but it’ll also trace the route on a map that the wires take through your neighborhood.

I was a little surprised to find my house just 4084ft from the nearest CO – literally within walking distance!