What is DSL?
What are the benefits of DSL?
How fast is DSL?
Is DSL always "On"?
Can I make a phone call and use DSL at the same time?
How much does DSL cost?
Why is DSL better than a 56K dial-up connection?
Why is DSL better than a cable modem?
Why is DSL better than ISDN?
Do I qualify for DSL?
What equipment do I need?
How is DSL installed?
What Operating Systems are supported by DSL?

Q: What is DSL?

DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line, is a new modem technology that transforms ordinary phone lines into high-speed digital lines for ultra-fast Internet access.

DSL provides high-speed, broadband Internet access to your home or business by using the wires of your existing telephone line. DSL is a fully digital service, compared to your phone service (voice/fax) that uses analog signals. These analog signals only require 5% of your phone line, so DSL takes advantage of the other 95% and makes it possible for you to make phone calls and surf the Internet at the same time.

DSL is an excellent alternative to all current forms of Internet access, including:

* 56K dial-up
* ISDN
* Cable modems
* Satellite service
* T-1 and Frame Relay services

Q: What are the benefits of DSL?

* A dedicated connection that is always on
* Faster internet access for faster downloads and games
* Use the phone and the internet at the same time
* No more busy signals
* No more dropped connections
* No need for a second phone line
* Multiple computers on a single DSL line
* Affordable pricing

Q: How fast is DSL?

It's Very Fast... DSL speeds are much higher than a regular analog modem. Typical DSL service starts at 768Kbps download and extends to 1.5Mbps (or 1,500Kbps) - that is T-1 level bandwidth for less than 1/10th the cost of a copper T-1 line. Compare that to a 56kps modem connection, and you have speeds 15 to 25 times faster.

Q: Is DSL always "On"?

DSL service is always on, so you no longer need to dial up your Internet Service Provider to log on to the Internet, which means no more busy signals or dropped connections.

Q: Can I make a phone call and use DSL at the same time?

Yes! DSL uses "line sharing" - using your existing telephone line for both upstream and downstream data transmission. This means you don't have to log off the Internet to make a phone call, you can do both at the same time. In short, whatever you can do with your phone now, you can continue to do while using DSL service.

DSL service levels start at $58.95 per month - about what you'd pay for a second phone line and 56K dial-up access. For complete pricing information, choose your area: TOLEDO/surrounding areas or BG/surrounding areas

Q: Why is DSL better than a 56K dial-up connection?

With DSL, you're accessing the Internet at speeds 15 to 25 times faster than that of 56K dial-up connection, which equals better time management and less aggravation with slow connection speeds.

Q: Why is DSL better than a cable modem?

DSL provides a dedicated service over a single telephone line, whereas cable modems offer a dedicated service over a shared network using your cable service.

DSL offers a steady speed and a continuous connection. Cable modems are theoretically faster, but the actual rate is affected by how many people in your neighborhood are online at the same time. As more users are added to the cable-based Internet service, the speed of a your Internet connection decreases.

Additionally, using a cable modem can be a security risk because it makes your computer part of a network with all the users on your block

Fast Facts:
* DSL connections are "dedicated," whereas cable connections are "shared."
* DSL offers a steady speed and a continuous connection; the number of users online adversely affects Cable connections at the same time.
* Data services of a telephone company are more reliable than Cable services.
* DSL service allows its customers to choose their own ISP; cable doesn't.

Q: Why is DSL better than ISDN?

DSL connection speeds are faster and more flexible than ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network). ISDN is only available in two speeds: 64 Kbps and 128 Kbps, DSL speeds scale from 768 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps with even higher speeds available in some areas.

ISDN offers dedicated, always on access but comes with additional metered charges to your phone company and Internet Service Provider. These fees typically run $30 a month plus 3 cents a minute for the first minute and 2 cents for every minute connected thereafter. For example, a dedicated 128 Kbps ISDN service left online 24 X 7 would cost hundreds of dollars a month in usage fees to the phone company and an additional $30-150/month for the Internet Access required for the line.

Additionally, unlike DSL, ISDN requires special digital circuits be installed while DSL makes use of your regular phone lines making installation faster and easier.

Fast Facts:
* DSL is faster and more flexible than ISDN.
* DSL is a more economical means of getting fast and reliable Internet access.
* DSL uses regular phone lines and does not require special digital circuits to be installed.

Q: Do I qualify for DSL?

Internet Direct will perform a remote line test to pre-qualify your telephone service for DSL. There is no additional charge for this service and you are not obligated to purchase DSL service once the test is complete. Once you are pre qualified for DSL service, Internet Direct will determine what DSL service plan best suits your needs and objectives.

Q: What equipment do I need?

Internet Direct provides a DSL modem (a DSL transceiver unit) that is included in the setup fee. There are several choices of modems dependent on your computer. They include: 1. An external USB-connected modem that does not require a NIC card 2. An internal modem that does not require a NIC card 3. Or, an external modem - or modem/router combination - that does require a NIC card installed on your PC. Internet Direct will be happy to assist you if your modem requires an Ethernet card (NIC card) and your PC does not currently have one.

Q: How is DSL installed?

Most customers will "install" the service themselves, since the typical installation will consist of nothing more than connecting small micro filter connectors to their phone line. However, technical support is always available to assist in your DSL installation.

Q: What Operating Systems are supported by DSL?

DSL supports the following Operating Systems
* Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME
* MacOS 8.6 and higher