FAQs
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Flexidial Broadband solutions are all built on BT's ADSL network. For even higher speed connections (e.g. leased lines) call the Flexidial hotline on: 01342 305 900 |
What is the difference between Broadband and ADSL?
What does ADSL stand for?
What speeds is it capable of?
What is asymmetric?
Why is it better than a standard modem and telephone line?
Can I still use my phone with it?
Will I need a new number?
What can I use an ADSL line for?
Should I put my web site on an ADSL line?
Do I need a new line?
No call charges when I'm on-line? Really?
What else can DSL technologies be used for?
How much does DSL cost?
What is the difference between Broadband and ADSL?
They are the same thing: ADSL is a form of Broadband connection which uses BT's standard phone lines. The other main type of Broadband connection is called a leased line.
What does ADSL stand for?
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line.
What speeds is it capable of?
ADSL has two speeds you need to be aware of. The upload speed, or speed you can send data and can be up to 832Kb/s depending on the quality of the line and distance from the telephone exchange.
Download speeds are now available at up to 8Mbps for our standard products. Again, this depends on the quality of the line and distance from the telephone exchange.
What is asymmetric?
An ADSL line can cope with transferring a set number of bits per second – the bitrate – regardless of direction. This can be varied to allow more bits to download rather than upload and vice versa.
As ADSL is intended for client computers rather than servers it has been configured to increase the download speed which in turn reduces the upload speed. This type of connection is known as asymmetric.
Why is it better than a standard modem and telephone line?
Modems were designed to allow computers to communicate over the standard PSTN – a system designed for voice communications only.
This limits the speed that computers can talk over the system as it is not sufficiently high quality – every digital signal has to be converted into an audible tone and then 'heard' by the remote computer.
This process is called modulation demodulation. The fastest possible speed over a PSTN line is 56Kb/s, ADSL upgrades your line to one designed for digital communication, capable of up to 8Mb/s
Can I still use my 'phone with it?
Yes. Your ADSL line will be fitted with a splitter that converts your phone signal into a digital one so it can be sent along the line.
Better still, your phone can be used at the same time as your Internet connection.
Please note that you will still have to pay BT separately for any voice calls, including Line Rental.
Will I need a new number?
Most end users will be able to keep their existing BT numbers.
What can I use an ADSL line for?
ADSL is perfect for home or small business. In any situation it will improve performance, but here are some particular uses:
Firstly, ADSL is a network connection, so it does not have to be restricted down to one machine, like a modem.
Plug your ADSL line into your network hub and all your machines can have access to the Internet. The age-old problem of e-mail lag is solved.
Normally a business has a half-hour or so delay in collecting e-mail if it is using ISDN or a modem connection, as it tries to save on call costs by only going on line occasionally.
ADSL has no call costs so you can check for mail as often as you like! Home users suffering from high phone bills may wish to consider ADSL as an Internet solution that is not only very fast, but never springs nasty surprises on you once every three months.
Anyone with a requirement for downloading large files, such as applications or multimedia files, will benefit from the speed of ADSL.
The world-wide wait is over. Businesses with e-commerce web sites have a new opportunity to streamline ordering processes.
You can even hook up your stock control computer and still avoid huge connection charges.
Should I put my Web site on an ADSL line?
No – ADSL is designed to favour downloading rather than uploading. As a Web server's prime objective is to upload data as fast as possible, ADSL is not the best choice.
Also, as ADSL is a variable bit-rate system, the available bandwidth for uploading may change, slowing the server performance.
Do I need a new line?
No. In nearly all cases, your existing BT analogue phone line can be upgraded.
You can keep your phone number and still use your analogue phone with it. If you currently have an ISDN line, you will have to either cancel this and go back to a standard BT PSTN line or arrange for a separate analogue line to be installed.
What equipment will I need?
This depends on which service you select. With the ADSL services where hardware is required, we will supply the hardware and software you need to connect either the USB or 10BaseT Ethernet port on your PC to the ADSL service.
If you choose the 'Wires Only' service you will need to supply all the hardware including the Micro Filters (available from Flexidial) that is required to connect your PC or Local Area Network to the ADSL enabled telephone socket on the wall.
The ADSL signal is carried by two ADSL modems – one in the end user's premises and one in the local exchange. These ADSL modems are designed to exploit the physical transmission capabilities of the copper line, to achieve the higher data rates.
A Micro Filter at the end user's premises and one in the exchange, separates the telephony signal from the ADSL signal. This means that telephone calls can be made at the same time that data is being sent or received (i.e. a customer can surf the Internet and still make telephone calls).
No call charges when I'm on-line? Really?
Really.
Once your subscription is paid, you will have a permanent connection to the Internet with no additional line charges. However, BT will still charge separately for any voice calls and line rental.
I have seen some sites refer to xDSL. Is this the same?
In a way. ADSL is a type of DSL (Digital Subscriber Line). The x symbolises that what is being discussed is a member of the DSL family.
Other types of DSL include:
HDSL – High bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line
IDSL – ISDN Digital Subscriber Line
VDSL – Very high bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line However, only ADSL is being made available in the UK at present.
What else can DSL technologies be used for?
At a possible bit rate of 8Mb/s, the opportunity exists for real video-on-demand systems and other types of interactive television. Set-top box systems will become available within the next couple of years.
How much does DSL cost?
Refer to the PRODUCTS section for specific pricing.
