xDSL (Digital Subsriber Line)

DSL comes in many speeds and types. If the speed of the upload is NOT the same as the download the DSL is called Asynchronous as in ADSL. If the upload and download speeds are the same then the DSL is called Synchronous as in SDSL. Regardless of the type of DSL in question, they all must travel over traditional copper pair phone lines. If you don't have a home phone line installed at your location then xDSL (meaning any DSL) won't be an option for you. We are partnered with many different DSL providers on a nationwide basis so chances are good that we can deliver you a DSL broaband internet feed as long as you have a telephone line.

Line Test

Since DSL is limited in how far it can reach from the 'head end' or point of origin for a DSL line, we must prequalify a customer by running a line test to determine if the location is within reach and if so what products can be offered. Please call today to get your line tested and see what options we can provide for your high speed internet needs.

More about DSL

What is ADSL and who is it a fit for?

ADSL stands for Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line. This means that the upload speed is NOT the same as the download speed. Typically download speeds are substantially higher than the upload speeds since most people do far more downloading or getting of information from the web than they upload (send) to the web. (For example 768K down vs. 128K up) ADSL circuits still use standard copper pair phone lines installed in the home or office and they “share” the line your voice calls. The upside is the money savings avoiding having to pay for separate voice and data lines. The downside is that these circuits tend to be less reliable and are harder for ISP's (Internet Service Providers) to troubleshoot than dedicated data circuits like T-1s, Burstable T's, ISDN lines, etc.

ADSL is good for home users or small offices that want to share an internet connection across multiple computers and don't need any guarantee of bandwidth or down time in the event of a problem with their connection. Someone who does basic internet surfing/emailing, is trying to save money because it is generally the least expensive type of DSL, or already has a phone line and doesn't want additional lines run because they can add ADSL to their current phone line without affecting their voice line is a good fit for this service.

Some limitations that exist for ADSL are as follows:

• 1.) Your location must qualify for ADSL as there are distance limitations on how far from the central office you can be and still get a good signal.
• 2.) You must not be on "pair gain" line. Telephone companies started splitting lines by using equipment that sends multiple voice lines into different frequency ranges over the same copper pair. It saves them money because they can avoid laying more lines, but ADSL signals cannot cross a pair gain line, so if you are unfortunate enough to be on one you must get the phone company to split you off onto your own line (not easy), or get IDSL which will cross a pair gain, or get another type of broadband that doesn't use the pair gain lines (sometimes not possible).

What is SDSL and who should have it?

SDSL stands for Synchronous Digital Subscriber Line. This simply means that the upload and download speeds are the same. (For example, 128K up and 128K down) SDSL lines use standard copper pair telephone lines like ADSL circuits do, but SDSL lines are 'conditioned' (meaning seperated from any other wiring from the central office all the way to your location) and dedicated to data. These SDSL lines do NOT share the line with any voice circuits so they tend to be more stable, consistent in bandwidth speeds, and are easier to troubleshoot when problems arise. SDSL lines can reach much higher upload speeds than ADSL lines can on uploads since they are equally fast in both directions.

If you want to share your high-speed connection over a network of computers, can't afford a great deal of downtime on your internet connection but can't afford full or fractional T circuits, want to host your own website on inexpensive bandwidth, or are a home user that is into online games, SDSL is the right choice despite the higher than ADSL cost.

What is IDSL and who wants it?

IDSL stands for ISDN Digital Subscriber Line. This special form of DSL is for people who have situations that won't allow them to get other forms of high speed internet. For instance, ADSL and even SDSL can only reach people who are less than 17,000 feet from the nearest central office where the xDSL equipment resides. IDSL can reach up to 30,000 feet from the C.O. (central office) so people who thought they couldn't get high speed DSL can sometimes qualify for IDSL.

Another situation that prevents ADSL and SDSL from reaching some people who are otherwise within the distance limitation of a C.O. is called 'pair gain'. This is a technology phone companies deploy to lower build-out costs by taking a single copper pair and "splitting" it into multiple voice streams to serve multiple homes from one line. This "pair gain" line cannot support ADSL or SDSL transport, but IDSL CAN cross a pair gain line so again people who have been told they don't qualify for DSL may still be able to get service from ABC Internet via IDSL.

The technology for deploying this service is much more expensive and that is reflected in the consumer pricing at $119.95 per month. This service offer speeds of 144 K up and down making it similar to sattelite services speeds but much more stable and with less latency. For those who can't suffer through a dial-up connection and can't qualify for anything else, SDSL is the right alternative.

What is Frame over DSL and why would I want it?

Frame over DSL is a unique product for companies that need to continue their pre-existing frame relay infrastructure but want prices that are better than point-to-point leased line pricing models. If you have a frame relay network already and cannot switch due to equipment requirements, contract periods still in effect for other locations that are on a Frame network, or simply just don't want to mess with something that is working, FRoDSL is a perfect fit for you.

FRoDSL is the same frame relay connection you are used to now, but it travels over a DSL line which costs substantially less than a point-to-point, dedicated leased line. Due to the way the network traffic is engineered, it is every bit as secure as a point-to-point leased line because though it is traveling over a DSL endpoint saving you money, it is NOT shared with internet services unless requested by you. You simply save money by using a different method of delivery at the 'edge' of your network which is more cost effective. If you have questions about how to leverage the greater connection rates and cost savings of FRoDSL, contact one of our sales engineers today to find out more.