DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. This new technology provides a dedicated digital circuit between a residence and a telephone company's central office, allowing high-speed data transport over existing twisted copper telephone lines. First Link currently offers two ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) product options to support information transfer rates of 1.5+Mbps downstream and 384Kbps upstream, or 384+Kbps downstream and 128Kbps upstream.

Back to Top

xDSL, the family name for all DSL products, encompasses products such as ADSL, SDSL, IDSL, HDSL, VDSL, RDSL, and many more. DSL technologies use high-end modulation processes to pack data, voice, and video onto copper wires. The difference between the various products is in the rate of information transfer, which is based on your distance from the local central office (also known as the "switch"), line frequencies, and technical protocols.

Back to Top

DSL, also known as xDSL, is a generic name for all DSL technologies. First Link currently provides ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line). ADSL is a transport that allows faster flow of information (data, voice, and video) downstream than upstream. SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line) supports one speed regardless of information flow. IDSL (ISDN Digital Subscriber Line) is an ISDN technology that rides over existing twisted copper telephone line.

Back to Top

DSL offers a new experience in data communication, including:
Data transmission speeds up to 200 times faster than a 28.8K modem
Always-on Internet access
Inexpensive, flat rate pricing as low as $39 a month (not including Internet Service Provider   
    charges)
Data over voice, so you can surf the 'Net and use your phone simultaneously

Back to Top

What's a Private Virtual Circuit, or PVC?

PVC, or Private Virtual Circuit, is a point-to-point circuit from the customer premise equipment to either their Internet Service Provider (ISP) or Enterprise Network. The call set-up and clearing are not visible, which creates the feeling of having a dedicated connection. PVC is part of the provisions offered to customers who subscribe to this service.

Back to Top

What is a POTS Splitter, and how does it work?

A POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) splitter, also known as a low-pass/high-pass filter, separates the voice and data portions of the DSL line.  The customer premise splitter "splits" the analog voice signal from the DSL digital signal, and allows two wires to simultaneously activate phone jacks while others act as data jacks to the DSL modem. The splitter at the central office, also known as the DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer), allows for separate POTS and DSL signals, which go to the PSTN (Public Service Telephone Network) and the First Link ATM Network respectively. Both splitters must be present and compatible to allow simultaneous voice and data transmission.

Back to Top

What is an ATM Network?

An ATM Network runs according to the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) protocol. ATM data transmission requires the information to be packaged into 53-byte cells (a 5-byte header and 48-byte payload). This allows different types of information (such as voice, data, and video from different or the same users) to be transmitted in the same cell, utilizing every byte available. Because it is efficient, the bandwidth is higher than that which we could obtain with another type of network. This transport is generally used for megabit and gigabit bandwidths.

Back to Top

Will this service replace ISDN?

No. ISDN versus DSL should be evaluated on a customer-by-customer basis. The value of DSL depends on:
The extent to which a customer would like to increase information transfer rates.
The amount of time a customer must be connected to the Internet or Enterprise Network.
The amount of money the customer is willing to pay for upgraded service.

Back to Top

What speeds serve what needs?

The 384+Kbps service provides increased speed for Internet access and for telecommuters who download files remotely. The 1.5+Mbps access provides an alternative speed for small offices, businesses, and telecommuters with more intense requirements.

Back to Top

Are there restrictions to getting DSL service?

Yes. The central office (CO) that serves your location must be upgraded.

Assuming your CO can offer DSL, your location must be within about 17,500 cable feet of your central telephone switching office (or CO). Since these are cable feet, the actual straight-line distance to qualify could be shorter than 17,500 feet.

If your location qualifies for DSL, the last requirement is that your telephone line must be able to carry the DSL signal. On average, approximately 65 percent of customers serviced by DSL-equipped central offices will qualify.

To determine if your line is ready for DSL, you can contact your local telephone company.

Back to Top

486 or better PC (Pentium recommended), or a Mac (68030 or better)

Back to Top