Project Pronto

Let's start out with the definition of an RT:

A remote terminal "describe[s] a facility where copper pairs TERMINATE, and connect to a device that allows the signal to enter upon some centralized network, mux'd with other similar signals terminating off of different copper at the location." -LML2000 from DSL Reports

An RT or Neighborhood gateway does not mean that it provides DSL services. If you look at the pictures you can see examples of some older RT's. These RT's were/are used to provide other services such as T-1, ISDN, and pairgain.

This equipment "used to be referred to as digital loop carriers or DLCs. Today, with the added capabilities of DSL some refer to the new equipment such as Litespan 2000 by Alcatel or UMC 1000 or EMAX 2000 by Advanced Fibre as next generation DLCs or NGDLCs." -LML2000 from DSL Reports

So what's the path from my house to the great big world-wide web? Basically, your modem sync's with the DSLAM. The DSLAM's are connected via a SONET ring to the CO where it hits the OCD (Optical Concentrator Device). Once there, the packets are encapsulated into ATM cells and move into the ATM cloud. Next they hit an RBack, or RedBack router which handles authentication. From there you are on the Sprint backbone until you need to be routed outside of it.