¨ What does DSL stand for?

Digital Subscriber Line. DSL is a modem technology that transforms ordinary phone lines into high-speed digital lines for ultra-fast Internet access. DSL will help eliminate per minute long distance charges by providing the opportunity for subscribers to make crystal clear telephone calls over the Internet. DSL also enables access to corporate networks, as well as exciting new interactive multimedia applications such as multiplayer gaming and television broadcast viewing.

¨ How does DSL work?

DSL modems use digital coding techniques to squeeze up to 99% more capacity out of a phone line without interfering with your regular phone services. This means you can simultaneously talk on the phone while surfing the World Wide Web and does NOT need to tie-up your current voice and/or fax line. There is no need to install a second phone line or a second telephone wall jack for Direct Internet Access DSL services.

¨ What is the difference between ADSL & SDSL?

ADSL represents "Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line" which means that the download speed will be different from the upload speed. SDSL represents "Synchronous Digital Subscriber Line" which means that both the download speeds and upload speeds will be the same.

¨ Are there any per-minute or usage charges associated with DSL?

No. DSL is a dedicated network service that costs the same regardless how often it is used or how much data is transferred. This predictability is one of DSL's most attractive features. There is no need to "dial in" again, as there is no dial in process to begin with. Your Internet connection will be "always on."

¨ What are the main benefits of DSL?

Remarkably fast
With DSL service, you can benefit from Internet speeds that are up to 12 times faster than a typical ISDN connection and 50 times faster than a traditional 28.8 kbps dial up modem. This means that in the 12 seconds it takes to read this information, you could have downloaded a 2 megabyte presentation file or web photograph. It would take 10 more minutes (600 more seconds!) to download the same file with a traditional 28.8 Kbps modem.

Highly reliable
You can depend on DSL because its proven technology takes full advantage of the existing telecommunications infrastructure. And you can count on DSL to scale with your future connectivity needs. That's a level of comfort you won't find with other Internet access technologies.

Inherently Secure
Because our DSL network provides a dedicated Internet connection via private telephone wires, you can bypass dial-up intruders or shared network hackers. Unlike traditional dial-up modems or cable modems, DSL protects your valuable data with the most secure connection available.

Surprisingly Affordable
DSL is widely recognized as the most cost-effective connectivity solution for small businesses. DSL delivers industrial-strength T1-like speed (as fast as 1.5 Mbps) to multiple users at only 25% of typical T1 costs. There's no better price/performance option available. DSL is also an exceptional value for home users

"Always on"
DSL is ready to run, every minute of every day. There's no more logging on and off, no more busy signals or disconnects. This gives you the freedom to focus on what you want to accomplish online - rather than focusing on trying to get connected. In fact, you can be more productive because the power and immediacy of the Internet is continuously available at your fingertips.

¨ What determines which level of service is available to the end-user?

DSL is a distance-sensitive telecommunications service: increased distance from the central office CO means decreased speeds. The closer one is to the CO, the more bandwidth that can be provided.

¨ Does DSL have any security issues like cable modems?

No. DSL is not a shared network service like cable modems, which means that one end-user can not see what's on a neighbor's computer using DSL. The service is a private dedicated connection from the end-user to the network.

¨ How does DSL compare to cable modems?

DSL provides a dedicated service over a single telephone line; cable modems offer a dedicated service over a shared media. While cable modems have greater downstream bandwidth capabilities (up to 30 Mbps), that bandwidth is shared among all users on a line, and will therefore vary, perhaps dramatically, as more users in a neighborhood get online at the same time. Cable modem upstream traffic will in many cases be slower than DSL, either because the particular cable modem is inherently slower, or because of rate reductions caused by contention for upstream bandwidth slots. The big difference between DSL and cable modems, however, is the number of lines available to each. There are no more than 12 million homes passed today that can support two-way cable modem transmissions, and while the figure also grows steadily, it will not catch up with telephone lines for many years. Additionally, many of the older cable networks are not capable of offering a return channel; consequently, such networks will need significant upgrading before they can offer high bandwidth services.

¨ What will DSL do to ISDN?

That all depends upon the telephone companies offering both services. The two services are not the same -- ISDN provides two voice channels or a 128 Kbps data channel while DSL is predominantly a data pipe providing an asymmetrical bandwidth of up to 8 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream under good conditions. However, an DSL access network will be an overlay network and therefore will not require the expensive and time-consuming switch upgrades that held ISDN back for so long. If DSL service prices resemble ISDN service prices, then one would expect DSL to be favored for Internet and video applications.

¨ Is DSL better than ISDN?

• DSL is better than ISDN for several reasons:

• Speed - up to 4 times faster

• Dedicated connection - no more dial-up configurations

• Ease of installation - no more SPIDs or complex configurations

• No usage charges - pay the same flat rate every month

Affordability and just one bill - the end-user receives only one bill every month for both Internet access and DSL, that is usually lower than ISDN

¨ Is DSL compatible with a Macintosh?

Yes, as long as the end user has an Ethernet 10BaseT (not coax) interface and TCP/IP software (either MacTCP or OpenTransport, which is included in MacOS 7.x and later). Anybody who has been using a Mac for a dialup Internet account has TCP/IP software. TCP/IP has been a standard part of the system software. TCP/IP software is also available as an add-on for those end users that do not already have it.