DSL FAQ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What is DSL?
DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. DSL is a high-speed Internet access product for homes and businesses that use existing telephone lines.

What are the benefits of DSL?
  • Fast Access - DSL allows you to access the Internet up to 50 times faster than a 28.8K dial-up modem. Web sites will appear much faster and your e-mail will arrive and be sent much quicker. Advanced business applications are possible like data sharing between remote locations, web hosting and e-commerce.
  • Always On - DSL is a dedicated service so it's "always on". There is no need to dial-up to connect to the Internet. No busy signals or dropped connections and you don't have to wait for someone to get off the phone to use the Internet !
  • Inexpensive - DSL offers high-speed Internet access at a fraction of the cost of other dedicated services.

What DSL technology do you offer ?
  • SDSL is a symmetrical business class service for demanding Internet users, offering higher upstream data rates than ADSL and IDSL. Higher upstream data rates make it possible to host a Web site or do video conferencing.
  • IDSL is a symmetrical service allowing customers further from the telephone company facilities to enjoy the benefits of DSL when ADSL or SDSL is not available.
  • ADSL is an asymmetrical, residential service for casual Internet users. It offers more speed downstream than upstream and it is primarily for downloading Web sites and e-mail. Both ADSL and SDSL are distance sensative - meaning customers who are located too far away from the telephone company central office may be able to get this service but might qualify for IDSL (see above).
Is DSL reliable?

Yes. SIS has partnered with AT&T - a respected and reliable name in the telecommunications business to bring you top notch service and support. Not all DSL providers are equal and many smaller companies have disappeared over night leaving their customers without service. Our decision to use AT&T guarantees you quality, reliable service for years to come.

Can DSL help telecommuters?
Absolutely ! DSL will make your home an extension of the office LAN using a secure VPN connection. You will receive high-speed access from home as though you were sitting at your desk in your office. Using dialup service you can wait 20 minutes or more downloading EMAIL ! With DSL you will have the same information in seconds !

What speeds does SIS offer?
It is important to note that the speeds listed may vary depending on the line provided by the local telephone company to your location. Not all speeds will be available to every customer. The distances below are estimates. Actual distances may vary.

Speed
Type
Distance from Central Office
128 Kbps
IDSL
up to 36,000 feet
192 Kbps
SDSL
up to 17,500 feet
384 Kbps
SDSL
up to 15,000 feet
768 Kbps
SDSL
up to 12,000 feet
1 Mbps
SDSL
up to 12,000 feet
1.5 Mbps
SDSL
up to 8,000 feet

 

What does "downstream" and "upstream" mean ?
Downstream means downloading information from the Internet to your computer - such as waiting for a web page to load on your PC screen or retrieving EMAIL from your ISP.

Upstream means sending information from your computer to the Internet - such as sending an EMAIL message to another person or hosting a web server yourself.

 

Why should I use SIS instead of the phone company or another ISP ?
There are many advantages of using Secure Internet Services over other providers:

  • We have specialized in providing Internet solutions for over seven years to both corporate business and individual users.
  • We offer two service classes - one for the home user and one for business users. Many other providers do not offer the wide range of DSL services we will provide you with.
  • SIS offers DSL service throughout the United States. Other providers are limited in their service area and may not have the range or facilities to provide you with quality service.
  • You can count on us to deliver what we promise. You benefit from our experienced technical support staff which is backed by AT&T - a world leader in communications.
  • When you choose us for service you have an unconditional, thirty-day money back guarantee. If you are not satisfied with your DSL service within the first thirty days simply contact us and your money will be refunded.
  • FREE INSTALLATION (through 12/02) - no setup charges, surcharges or any additional fees to begin your service.
Does DSL service require special equipment?
DSL requires that the customer use a special DSL router or modem. Each type of DSL service requires a different router in order to communicate properly. While we recommend you purchase your router when you order service from us you may also purchase a compatible router and we will install and configure it for a one-time $100 setup fee. If you will be providing your own router please contact us in advance to make sure it is compatible with the DSL service you are ordering.

Who installs this equipment?
An AT&T authorized installer will install your DSL service and modem at your location. You are responsible for connecting the DSL router to your computer network (PC, hub, switch or other networking device). You are responsible for configuring your equipment and the installer will assist you with the information needed to make those settings.


Can a DSL line be shared among multiple users?

Absolutely ! Multiple computers can use the same DSL line. Using a DSL router will allow you to connect multiple numbers of computers to one DSL connection and is a perfect solution for businesses that need to connect an entire office to one DSL connection. Everyone can be online at the same time !

 

Is DSL better than 56 Kbps analog modems?
Yes. DSL is substantially faster than a 56k modem. DSL is also on 24 hours/7 days a week so there's no need for an extra phone line, no waiting to connect and you benefit from must fast speeds.

How does DSL compare to Cable modems?
The cable network is shared, which means as the number of cable users increases, the speed on each individual's line decreases. At times of peak usage the cable modem speeds drop dramatically and all cable users suffer.

The cable system is a shared network and is less secure than dedicated service like DSL. Cable modems allow neighboring cable customers to more easily hack into your computer and intercept data.

The upstream speed on a cable modem is typically no greater than 128 Kbps. As a result, cable modems are unable to provide acceptable levels of speed or security for business purposes such as video streaming, video conferencing, or sending large e-mails.

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