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DSL Frequently-Asked Questions
What Is DSL?
DSL (which stands for Digital Subscriber Line) is a
broadband technology that transforms ordinary phone lines (also known
as "twisted copper pairs") into high-speed digital lines for
ultra-fast, dedicated Internet access. DSL also enables access to corporate
networks for telecommuters, as well as exciting new interactive
multimedia applications such as multiplayer gaming, video on demand,
and video catalogs. Indra's Net and Qwest Communications offer ADSL
(Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line), the most popular subtype of
DSL.
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. That means you could be simultaneously
talking on the phone or sending a fax - while surfing the World Wide
Web.
How Fast Is DSL?
Currently Indra's Net supports downstream speeds from 256 Kbps up to 5 Mbps.
Theoretically, DSL can provide speeds up to 8 Mbps downstream and up
to 1 Mbps upstream, depending upon line length and loop and line
conditions.
What Are The Benefits Of DSL?
- Simultaneous Internet and voice/fax capabilities over a single
telephone line
- Uninterrupted, high-speed Internet access that's always on without
the need to dial in to a modem
- Cost effectiveness for residential customers, telecommuters,
and small businesses
- Data security that exceeds other technologies
- Higher reliability than other broadband technologies such as cable
modems
What Is The Market For DSL?
DSL enables two general types of applications: interactive video and
high speed data communications. Interactive video includes movies on
demand, other video on demand such as delayed TV segments, video
games, video catalogs, and video information retrieval. Data
communications covers Internet access, telecommuting (remote LAN
access), and specialized network access. The strength of DSL compared
to other high speed transmission alternatives (such as cable modems or
Fiber To The Neighborhood (FTTN) lies in the number of existing
telephone lines - now approaching 750 million - compared to new
cabling which has reached comparatively few homes and almost no small
businesses.
Can I Get DSL Today?
DSL availability is generally dictated by where you live.
Although your chances of qualifying for DSL are better in an
urban area, Qwest is constantly adding DSL capabilities to many new
neighborhoods. Contact Indra's Net
today and we can find out if your home or
business qualifies for DSL right over the phone while you wait. In addition,
we can even place your DSL order with Qwest and coordinate with them
on your behalf, thus making your transition to DSL as quick and easy
as possible.
Will I Get A Static IP Address?
It depends on your level of service. We include 1 static IP
address with Client Access, but it is
not routable (i.e. it is not reachable from the Internet at large).
With Server Access, Indra's
Net provides 5 free static IP addresses, all of which are
routable. Additional IP addresses are available for a nominal fee. Please note that if
you are planning on hooking up multiple computers you do not
necessarily need additional IP addresses.
Can I Run Internet Servers At My Location?
If you wish to run your own public Internet server (WWW, FTP,
etc.) over your DSL connection, your service will fall under our
Server Access pricing.
How Does DSL Compare To ISDN?
DSL and ISDN vary significantly in technology and functionality.
Whereas DSL can be used on a generic analog telephone line, ISDN can
only be run on digital phone lines which require special installation.
A single ISDN line from your telephone company can support two 64 Kbps
channels that can either be bonded together for a single 128 Kbps
data channel, or split out so that one channel may be used for regular
voice communications. ISDN is generally significantly more expensive
than DSL, but is a popular option for residences and businesses who
want high-speed Internet access but do not qualify for DSL because of
their location. Indra's Net is pleased to continue to offer both
dedicated and dialup ISDN to serve this
community.
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 medium. While
cable modems have greater inherent 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 users often report that
while their connectivity speed may be outstanding, in, say, the middle
of the night, they experience dramatically decreased response time at
peak hours such as early evening.) 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 accessibility to the general population.
There are no more than 12 million homes passed today that can
support two-way cable modem transmissions, and while that figure is
growing steadily, it has no chance of catching up with the number of
installed telephone lines for many years to come. 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. Finally, although you
can expect to find installed cable services in many U.S. homes,
generally businesses do not have cable already installed and thus
would incur additional installation expenses to acquire cable Internet
access, whereas DSL can use an already-installed phone line.
If you have any additional questions regarding DSL technology,
features, pricing, or availability, please contact us and one a member
of our technical staff will be happy to assist you.
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