The official maximum loop length for Verizon High Speed Internet is 18,000 feet (5,500 m) from the central office or remote terminal.[3] Details of the outside plant including wire gauge, the presence of bridge taps, repeaters, load coils, or other devices that augment the voiceband telephone signal can affect DSL service availability and quality.[8] Verizon's copper network maintenance and upgrade budget (which includes DSL and POTS services) was estimated to be roughly $3.50 per access line by the Communications Workers of America.Rural communities in New Jersey filed a joint petition of complaint with the NJ Board of Public Utilities in order to investigate Verizon's apparent discontinuation of copper local loop maintenance; issues reported by the towns residents include loss of service during poor weather, static on the line, lack of audible voice transmission, and interruption or loss of DSL service.[14] Other areas affected by the storm did not see such a resolution; Comcast subsequently took advantage of the situation by announcing that it had expanded and refurbished its operations across the Jersey Shore.
A remote terminal (RT) owned by Verizon
A damaged copper telephone local loop pedestal owned by Verizon