Hi!

Varun

 

1. I plugged it into the DSL port, but it didn't connect. So I can't follow the steps for "ready to surf" and retrieve line ID

With the way the Deutsche Telekom network is setup, a DSL line is not a monolithic piece of wire running from your apartment to the cabinet on the street.

The Wire that ends the the " TAE " socket in the appartment will usually run to a junction box in the basement (" APL ") where it meets with an underground cable. The underground cable may run directly to the cabinet with the network side DSL modems ("DSLAM") or it may run to an intermediate junction box (" KVz ")  where it meets with another cable the then runs to the DSLAM. The connections between individual pairs of wires made in those junction boxes are not permanent, they are only made when a customer books a line. Once the customer terminates the contract, the wiring segments are free to be re-used to connect other customers.

The ready-to-surf featur only works in cases where there is a fully patched line from your DSL socket to the DSLAM already exists. You only get that if the previous tennants also used DSL and if they moved out very recently.

Most of the time, the line needs to be patched by a technician first, this is what the appontment on Feb. 26th is for.

Varun

2. It says the technician needs basement access. This building has 4 floors and 2 apartments on each floor and I just rent one of the apartments. I don't know how to access the basement.

The technicial needs access to patch the wires as explained above.

Varun

3. It also mentions something a letter containing an access code and PIN . I have not received any such letter yet.

The document should arrive in time, but you are still be able to use your internet connection if it does not. By default, Deutsche Telekom does not check the username and password entered into the router. DT says that's a feature and they call it " Easy Login ". Once your internet is up and you received the document, you can go to the customer portal (https://kundencenter.telekom.de) and disable Easy Login for your connection. Only then will the router require username and password to go online.

Varun

What should I do? Their email says I will be charged 49.95 EUR for a failed technician visit.

Contact the janitor, building management or your landlord, they should know the drill.