1. What does ADSL stand for?
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line.
Broadband ADSL is a new way of transferring data at high speed over existing telephone copper wire. By upgrading your line to carry digital signals instead of the current analogue system it becomes capable of carrying data at a much higher rate than ever before.This is a type of Digital Subscriber Line and works by splitting your existing telephone line signal into two, one for voice and the other for data.
2. What speed is ADSL capable of?
The most popular services in the UK at the moment are running at speeds of 512Kbps although speeds of up to 2Mbps can be obtained. The download speed intended for domestic installations is 512kbps, ( 256kbps services are also becoming available at a lower cost). Higher speeds of 1Mbps and 2Mbps are also available, but are targeted at business users. The price of these services reflect this. ADSL technology can work at up to 8Mbps download.
3. What is asymmetric?
The Upload speeds are 256Kbps on all products and hence this is why it is "asymmetric", because the download speed is different to the upload speed. A Broadband ADSL line can cope with transferring a set number of bit per second - the bitrate - regardless of direction. This can be varied to allow more bits to download rather than upload and vice versa. As Broadband ADSL is intended for client computers rather than servers it has been configured to increase the download speed which in turn reduces the upload speed.
4. How much does it cost?
Prices vary between different service providers and the speed of service you want.
For the standard broaband 512k service you can expect to pay anything from £15 to £27 per month but there are also 1Mb and 2Mb services for those needing a higher data flow and these are priced accordingly.
Another form of ASDL offer is now available - Pay As You Go! This charges just £10.00 per month and is perfect for those not downloading large amounts of data such as mp3s or movies on a daily basis providing you stay within the given limits.
6Mb/month of downloads comes under the £10.00, if more than 6Mb is downloaded the service does not stop but instead adds 0.0025p per additional Mb up to a maximum of £23.50. It's likely to become a very popular choice.
Different service providers do have different terms and conditions, so it pays to look around.
Always check the terms and conditions before you agree to subscribe to a particular service provider.
Whichever service is chosen, the speed and convenience of Broadband ASDL cannot be underestimated.
5. Why is it better than a standard modem and telephone line?
Modems were designed to allow computers to communicate over the standard PSTN - a system designed for voice communications only. This limits the speed that computers can talk over the system as it is not sufficiently high quality - every digital signal has to be converted into an audible tone and then 'heard' by the remote computer. This process is called modulation demodulation. The fastest possible speed over a PSTN line is 56kbps.
Broadband ADSL upgrades your line to one designed for digital communication, capable of up to 2mbps.
6. Can I still use my phone with it?
Yes. Your Broadband ADSL line will be fitted with a device that converts your phone signal into a digital one so it can be sent along the line. Better still, your phone can be used at the same time as your Internet connection - although this may cause a small reduction in the speed of your Internet connection temporarily.
You will still have to pay BT. separately for any voice calls, including Line Rental.
7. Will I need a new number?
The majority of end users will be able to keep their existing BT. numbers.
8. What can I use a Broadband ADSL line for?
Broadband ADSL is perfect for home or small businesses. In any situation it will improve performance, but here are some particular uses:
- Firstly, Broadband ADSL is a network connection, so it does not have to be restricted down to one machine, like a modem. Plug your Broadband ADSL line into your network hub and all your machines can have access to the Internet.
- The age-old problem of e-mail lag is solved. Normally a business has a half-hour or so delay in collecting e-mail if it uses an ISDN or modem connection as it tries to save on call costs. Broadband ADSL has no call costs so you can check for mail as often as you like!
- Home users suffering from high phone bills may wish to consider Broadband ADSL as an Internet solution that is not only very fast but never springs nasty surprises on you once every three months.
- Anyone with a requirement for downloading large files, such as applications or multimedia files, will benefit from the speed of Broadband ADSL. The world-wide wait is over.
- Businesses with e-commerce Web sites have a new opportunity to streamline ordering processes. Now the order taken on your main Web server can be transferred to your local server and your internal sales order processing system with the minimum of time delays. You can even hook up your stock control computer and still avoid huge connection charges.
9. Do I need a new line?
No. In nearly all cases, your existing BT. analogue phone line can be upgraded. You can keep your phone number and still use your analogue phone with it. If you currently have an ISDN line, you will have to either cancel this and go back to a standard BT. PSTN line or arrange for a separate analogue line to be installed.
10. What equipment will I need?
This depends on which service you select, many service providers will provide you with all the hardware and software you need to connect. Please check with the service provider before your place your order. If you choose a 'Wires Only' package, you will need to supply all the hardware yourself. Your local computer dealer will be able to supply the equipment you need.
The Broadband ADSL signal is carried by two ADSL modems - one in the end users premises and one in the local exchange. These Broadband ADSL modems are designed to exploit the physical transmission capabilities of the copper line, to achieve the higher data rates. A Micro Filter at the end users premises and one in the exchange, separates the telephony signal from the Broadband ADSL signal. This means that telephone calls can be made at the same time that data is being sent or received (i.e. a customer can surf the Internet and still make telephone calls).
11. Will it reach me?
At this time ADSL will reach a maximum of 5.5 Kilometers. This distance is that which the cables travel from the exchange out and includes any doubling back or loops that the existing telephone wires may take on their way to you. There is an additional technology that could be used to reach further - Wireless. This would require a point to act as base from where signals could be sent. Wireless technology is taking leaps and bounds at present and is likely to play a significant part in making the service as widely available as possible once we have broadband established in Rhayader. Once Rhayader exchange is upgraded inquuireies will be made into whether subtending St Harmon is possible .
What does sub-tending an exchange mean ?
Subtending is the system whereby rather than running the back-haul (ADSL bearing cable) from a new exchange all the way to the nearest Point of Presence (POP), BT simply run it to the nearest enabled ADSL exchange which is cheaper as it will be a lot closer than the POP generally.
The bandwidth at the main exchange can be shared by 2 to 4 other exchanges, by taking a data feed from the DSLAM that is installed. This should result in no reduction of the quality of service, since the main exchanges have plenty of bandwidth available for future expansion.
12. What is Wires Only?
Many broadband ADSL products are wires-only services, which means no hardware is supplied. The Broadband ADSL connection is terminated on a standard PSTN master socket. The End User must connect to the telephone socket via a micro-filter and a Broadband ADSL modem, or router, in order for the service to be used. This helps reduce the initial cost and give the End User more control and choice of equipment.
13. No call charges when I'm on-line? Really?
Really. A Broadband ADSL line is unmetered. After paying your regular subscription charge there will be no additional call charges and the subscription price will not change no matter how often or little you use the line. A permanent connection also means no dial-up lag. When you want the Internet, it is there. Once your subscription is paid, you will have a permanent connection to the Internet with no additional line charges whatsoever. BT. however, will still charge separately for any voice calls and the usual line rental.
14. Will I still receive a bill from BT.?
ADSL is an Internet access only service, so BT will still bill you for your normal telephone calls and line rental.
