Business ADSL Frequently Asked Questions

What does ADSL stand for?
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. ADSL is a modem technology that transforms ordinary phone lines (also known as "twisted copper pairs") into high-speed digital lines for ultra-fast Internet access. ADSL also enables access to corporate networks for telecommuters, as well as exciting new interactive multimedia applications such as multiplayer gaming, video on demand and video catalogs.

How does ADSL work?
ADSL modems use digital coding techniques to squeeze up to 99% more capacity out of a phone line without interfering with your regular phone services. That means you could be simultaneously talking on the phone or sending a fax - while surfing the World Wide Web.

How fast is ADSL anyway?
We are currently offering up to 1 Mbps downstream and 864 kbps upstream depending on line length and loop and line conditions. The speed differences will be based on data rate you select, but will range from 10-26 times faster then your best 56k modem connection.

How can ADSL benefit me?
Small businesses and telecommuters have a need for cost-effective solutions to high-speed Internet access. ADSL allows always online Internet access with the ability to use the voice/fax capabilities simultaneously and increased security over current options.

How does ADSL compare to cable modems?
ADSL provides a dedicated service over a single telephone line; cable modems offer a dedicated service over a shared media. While cable modems have greater downstream bandwidth capabilities (up to 30 Mbps), that bandwidth is shared among all users on a line, and will therefore vary, perhaps dramatically, as more users in a neighborhood get online at the same time. Cable modem upstream traffic will in many cases be slower than ADSL, either because the particular cable modem is inherently slower, or because of rate reductions caused by contention for upstream bandwidth slots. The big difference between ADSL and cable modems, however, is the number of lines available to each. There are no more than 12 million homes passed today that can support two-way cable modem transmissions, and while the figure also grows steadily, it will not catch up with telephone lines for many years. Additionally, many of the older cable networks are not capable of offering a return channel; consequently, such networks will need significant upgrading before they can offer high bandwidth services.

What would I need to use it at my business?
An ADSL modem will be installed at your location by the installer. This modem will need to be connected to your LAN via Ethernet hub or directly to your PC's Network Interface Card (Ethernet Card). If you do not have a NIC card in your PC, then WorldPath can sell and install one for $49.95

What are the system requirements for ADSL?
The recommended system requirements are as follows:

For PCs:
One of the following operating systems: Windows 95/98; Windows NT 4.0 Workstation or Server with Service Pack 5 or 6a (128 bit encryption); Windows 2000 Professional. Intel Pentium/Pentium Pro/Pentium MMX/Pentium II/Pentium III (166 MHz or higher), AMD K5/K6, or Cyrix 586/686 processor 32MB RAM (64MB strongly recommended) 25MB free hard drive space (50MB strongly recommended) Ethernet card

For Macintosh:
PowerPC processor MacOS 7.5.5 through MacOS 9.0 32MB RAM (64MB strongly recommended) 25MB free hard drive space (50MB strongly recommended) Ethernet card. An Ethernet card is already built into all iMac, G3 Power Mac, and G3 PowerBook computers.

With the increased speed (bandwidth) ADSL offers, can it be shared among two or more PCs, so that both can be connected to the internet at the same time?
Yes. The modem has one Ethernet 10/100baseT interface that can connect multiple PC's via Ethernet hub. That way, all users on the LAN can share the higher connected bandwidth.

How long will it take to get hooked up on ADSL?
The first step after you express your interest in ADSL is to check if the service is available on a phone line at your home. If service is available and you wish to subscribe, can be installed in 3-5 working days.

I have heard of problems with ADSL and Cable customers security. How secure is it?
The ADSL implementation that we are offering provides you with an ADSL modem that is password protected and has a built-in Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server which automatically assigns IP addresses to PCs on the LAN, and with port address translation (PAT) these PCs can share a single IP address. In comparison cable networks are broadcast oriented, with each subscriber in an area receiving an IP assignment to their PC making them visible to others in the neighborhood since cable users receive the same signal as all others in that area. ADSL is circuit oriented so that each connection is independent of all others.