Naked DSL

A naked DSL (a.k.a. standalone or dryloop DSL) is a digital subscriber line (DSL) without a PSTN (analogue telephony) service—or the associated dial tone. In other words, only a standalone DSL Internet service is provided on the local loop.

Comparison of Regular and Naked DSL

In regular DSL, a wire is run from the telephone switch to a piece of equipment called a Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) splitter. The POTS splitter separates the DSL and voice bands and then a wire carrying both services runs from the splitter to the cable head, where it continues on to the customer on outside plant.

In naked DSL the portion of cable from the switch to the splitter is removed, therefore removing dial tone from the line. It is possible that the customer would have dial tone through a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) instead of the local telco (ILEC), or that they use cellular service or VOIP exclusively in place of a traditional land line.

Naked DSL and the FCC

On March 25, 2005, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled 3-2 against utilities commissions in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, and Louisiana who sought to force BellSouth to unbundle their DSL service from their local phone service. Qwest Communications currently provides naked DSL service voluntarily, and Verizon Communications has announced plans to follow suit, and already provides it in some areas.

Naked DSL in the United Kingdom

It is not possible to get Naked DSL service (excluding SDSL) in the United Kingdom, though it is possible to get the POTS and DSL from different service providers.

Naked DSL in Canada

Since the CRTC ruling of 21 July 2003 , it should be theoretically possible to have Naked DSL and some companies do provide this service. There is not yet widespread adoption, due largely to a lack of consumer awareness, but some listings such as Canadian ISP exist to help consumers find a service available to them. Often Naked DSL is only available with a surcharge or at rates higher than comparable wet DSL.

Naked DSL in Australia

No current providers offer DSL without the need for line rental, either from the ISP or another Telco. In June 2007 VoIP provider Engin announced that within the next quarter they would launch a Naked-DSL service through a wholesale agreement with Optus that bundled ADSL2+ with the local loop. Engin announced they would sell the service without PSTN access or a line rental charge.

Naked DSL in New Zealand

It is not currently possible to get Naked DSL service in New Zealand, though it is possible to get the POTS and DSL from different service providers. Even business broadband requires a live phone connection. Telecom New Zealand is the backbone provider for most DSL and POTS services and the majority of ISP's simply rebadge and sell the Telecom broadband solution. While it is not possible to get Naked DSL in New Zealand yet, it will be available in September 2007 initially through Orcon Internet Ltd and later possibly other ISPs.

Known availability

According to "Naked DSL: the potential impact in New Zealand Final report for the MED, April 2006" the following countries have Naked DSL available, if not country wide then at least via one company; Austria, Belgium, Canada, Estonia, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United States.