You are missing my point entirely. My point is very simple: how do we know that the speeds on Verizon's lowest-priced DSL service, might not be faster if the user used a router/modem *other than the one Verizon supplies*? Why is it so impossible to think that the hardware I obtained from Verizon, deliberately chokes the speed at which the line would operate, using other hardware?

Has anyone tried non-recommended hardware on their DSL service to test what the speed is? AFAIK, the answer is NO.