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DSL FAQ

Table of Contents

If you have heard even something about DSL, you will have heard about distance. Your phone lines normally terminate at a Telco office, usually nearby. This distance, (the length of your line between your location and the Telco office), is a very important factor in whether or not you can get DSL, and at what speed you can get.

Here are some rules of thumb regarding distance ranges. Please be advised that, especially with non-Telco ADSL lines, distance limits for speeds can vary widely from company to company. There are cases where it is policy that "residential" DSL lines are not offered as far out as functionally identical "business" products!

Since the subject of distance and DSL is so important, we've added a special page for it. check this for detailed distance information per DSL network

Distance in feet: less than 5000

You will have little trouble getting all speeds of DSL

Distance in feet: 5000-10600

You may have trouble getting the highest speeds on offer

Distance in feet: 10600-15000

The danger zone for DSL from national CLECs like Covad and NorthPoint. Speeds on offer are pinned back steadily until they reach 192k for 15,000 feet. If your line is longer than around 15000 feet, they may not accept an order.

Distance in feet: 15000-18000

In this range, Telco ADSL is normally still available, although it may be restricted to 300-500k speeds

Distance in feet: 18000-22000

Telco ADSL is not available. RADSL is speed-variable and may be available in some areas. Or, some smaller DSL specialist CLECs may be the solution for you.

Distance in Feet: 22000-28000

Facilitating less commonly used DSL equipment; it is still possible to use lines of this length.

Distance In Feet: 18000-28000

IDSL, 144k/sec, about four to six times modem speed, is probably the only alternative.

Distance in feet:

28000-38000

IDSL is the only alternative

What is loop qualifying?

Loop qualifying is the process of determining whether or not your phone line will support DSL technology and at what speeds it will operate. Things such as how far you are from your local central office and what gauge wire your line uses are among the items that come into consideration when loop qualifying your phone line.

What is the difference between T1 and 1.5mbps SDSL?

A T1 line and an SDSL line use the same underlying technology - HDSL. The differences between them are not in performance, but their ease of provisioning and speed of repair. In the United States lines for T1 data are normally treated with higher importance than the DSL lines are by the Telcos therefore the time for repair and provisioning is considerably faster. A T1 fault may be repaired in a day or even within hours whereas a DSL line fault repair could take up to 5 days. The other important difference is that T1 lines are more easily repeated to cover longer distances, something that has not yet happened for SDSL lines. T1 lines are significantly more expensive than DSL lines. A monthly T1 lease, with Internet bandwidth, can amount to $1000 or more, compared with SDSL prices of a few hundred dollars for the same speed.

What is inside wiring?

For CLEC provided DSL (i.e., DSL through Covad, or Northpoint), inside wiring is the process of taking the line from where the Telco left it, the drop, to a socket on your wall. This may involve running new lines at your premise, but this process is no more painful than adding another phone extension. For ADSL, inside wiring is handled by the Telco as part of the entire installation. Where the Telco and the CLEC must cooperate with wiring, there can sometimes be extensive delays and difficulties, none very technical, usually a lack of coordination. For older apartment buildings, there may be much bigger problems, if there are no spare pairs available for non-Telco DSL, new wires may have to be run in the building, adding to the expense, time delays and inconvenience.

Can I still use DSL and dialup on the same computer? Does it require a splitter?

As long as you have both a DSL modem and your regular modem installed on your computer, the DSL signal connected to your DSL modem, and only your voice signal connected to your modem, using DSL and dialup on the same computer is not a problem. However, if you are connected into the Internet it will be the primary connection until you disconnect.

Why would I want DSL?

If you are tired of wasting time downloading files or e-mail attachments, DSL provides a very fast, always on connection that takes that sluggish feeling out of the Internet.

DSL is unmetered, so there are no per-minute charges as there are with ISDN. DSL also provides Internet services that require a high-speed or dedicated connection, such as video conferencing or streaming video events.

What is a Static IP address?

IP address stands for: Internet Packet address. When you connect to the Internet, your PC needs a unique identifier. This is accomplished by assigning an IP address to your PC. This address enables your PC to be seen and identified on the Internet. It is important for you to have a static (the same address each time) IP address every time you connect. This will assist with connections over the Internet for PCAnywhere, NetMeeting, games, chat, I-Phone, etc.

What is the difference between a bridge/modem and a router?

A bridge or DSL modem is designed to plug into a single network Ethernet card. It routes all Internet traffic to the single network card and is not capable of supporting multiple PCs.

A router enables you to split your bandwidth between multiple PCs. It allows routing of services and packets to specific destinations.

What if I have other questions?

DSL is an exciting, next-generation technology for high speed Internet access that is just beginning to take off. To learn more, please give us a call at 800-456-9699 and we will gladly help you reach the Internet with DSL!