Frequently Asked Questions about DSL

What is ADSL?

ADSL, which stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, is a broadband communication technology designed for use on regular phone lines. ADSL is the key technology that enables LCT-Corp.DSL.

What are the benefits?

In addition to their very high speed, ADSL modems have many benefits over analog modems. Unlike the dial-up connections required for analog modems, your ADSL connection is always on. This means no more waiting for the connection to happen - it's always there. Another benefit is the ability to use the phone at the same time the data connection is on; you don't have to choose between the two.

Four Quick Facts About LCT-Corp.DSL

1. DSL modems are much faster than analog modems. The only speed limit with DSL is the speed of the Internet and all the different computers attached to it. Depending on the level of service offered by your ADSL provider, the ADSL modem can download data at speeds ranging from 128 Kilobits per second up to 1.5 Megabits per second.

2. DSL doesn't tie up your phone line! - DSL doesn't interfere with phone calls, even though it uses your regular phone line. What this means is that you can be on the Internet and you can pick up the phone and make a phone call on the same line.

3. DSL is always on! - Your DSL connection is always there. There's no need to dial up and listen to your modem squawk every time you want to do something online. And there's no frustration about the line dropping when you're in the middle of browsing or downloading. Want to check your e-mail? Set up your computer to check for new e-mail and notify you when you receive something instead of logging in and checking it yourself. Want to look at just one web page? Just open your browser and look. With DSL, you are always online!

4. DSL is reliable! - Phone company networks are among the most reliable in the world, experiencing only minutes of downtime each year.

How can it be so much faster than a modem when it uses the same phone line?

Analog modems send their signals through the public switched telephone network, the same one that connects ordinary telephones. ADSL modems "piggyback" their signals on top of the voice signal. On the phone company's premises, the line gets split - the voice calls are sent to the public switched telephone network, and the data transmission goes to the Internet. This method moves data off the phone companies' lines and instead uses connections optimized for carrying Internet traffic.

Will it constantly connect near the maximum speed?

At ADSL speeds, the limitations are much more the performance of the Internet server you're trying to reach and the amount of traffic on the Internet. The Internet is a loosely coupled network of computers that are transmitting data by different methods through different computers at different speeds, so the speed you receive data with an ADSL modem is limited by these factors.

How does it work?

ADSL works by splitting the phone line into two frequency ranges. The frequencies below 4 kHz are reserved for voice, and the range above that is used for data. This makes it possible to use the line for phone calls and data network access at the same time. It is called "asymmetric" because more bandwidth is reserved for receiving data than for sending data. Download speeds range from 128 Kilobits per second up to 1.5 Megabits per second, and upload speeds range from 16 to 384 Kilobits per second. This is useful because many users of the Internet receive much more data than they send.

Will it work with my computer?

Yes, and the newer the computer the better the performance. There are two types of ADSL modems, internal and external. Internal modems are cards that are installed inside your computer via a PCI plug-in card. External modems can be connected to your computer via a USB, 10BaseT, or other networking interface. We recommend the following minimum configuration for LCT-Corp.DSL users.

Computer minimum configuration:

· 300 MHz (or faster) Pentium-based processor (or equivalent)

· Windows 95/98 or Windows NT operating system

· 32 MB RAM for Windows 98/NT 4.0 Service Pack 3 or higher.

· Installed dial-up modem

· Installed CD-ROM drive

· Installed 10 BASE-T Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC) or an available PCI slot

· Laptop computers must already have an installed 10 BASE-T Ethernet NIC with RJ45 connectivity

· Microsoft TCP/IP stack supporting DHCP addressing (802.3 standards)

How will ADSL affect my regular phone calls?

In most cases, ADSL will not interfere with your phone calls and vice-versa. In some cases when you are using the same phone line for both ADSL and POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service), you will need to add a simple filter device between your phone and the wall jack.

What about my e-mail? Will I have to change my e-mail address?

KaplanTel.net customers will not be affected by a change to ADSL service.

What is the difference between ADSL and cable modems?

ADSL provides always-on high-speed Internet access over a single dedicated telephone line; cable modems offer always-on high-speed Internet access over a shared cable television line. While cable modems have greater downstream (from the Internet into the home) bandwidth capabilities, that bandwidth is shared among all users in a neighborhood, and will therefore vary, perhaps dramatically, as more users in a neighborhood get online at the same time. Cable modem upstream (from the home to the Internet) traffic will in many cases be slower than ADSL, either because the particular cable modem is inherently slower, or because too many people in a neighborhood are trying to send or receive data at the same time. The big difference between ADSL and cable modems, however, is the number of lines available to each. 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.

DSL for Home & Business

G.Lite ADSL is a new standard for DSL service. It is the most consumer-friendly version of DSL. The cost for equipment and service will be less than other varieties. It will also be easier to install than other varieties - you will be able to do it yourself. It is based on ADSL, and offers downstream speeds up to 1.5 megabits per second and a maximum upstream data rate of 384 kilobits per second.

Hardware Information / Compatible Equipment

If you are going the ADSL route, there are two types of modems that will work: internal and external. Internal modems are cards that are installed inside your computer via a plug-in card. External modems can be connected to your computer via a USB port, Ethernet jack, or a parallel connection. If your computer is already configured to operate on a local area network (LAN), it will have an interface that can connect to an external modem. It is important to make sure that the DSL modem (sometimes referred to as a "terminal adapter") works with the DSL provider's equipment.

Competing Technologies and Comparisons

How does DSL compare to:

· Analog dial-up modems

· Cable modems

· Conclusion

vs. Analog dial-up modems

Analog modems have reached their technical limit in V90 technology that delivers up to 56.6 kilobits per second. Cheap cost and compatibility with most phone lines have made them the communication technology of choice for individual PC users.

vs. Cable modems

Cable modems are the primary competitor to DSL. They offer high-bandwidth Internet access over cable TV lines, the service is reasonably reliable, and the service costs approximately $40-60/month (plus a $100-175 installation fee).

There are two types of cable modems. The most prevalent is the hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) modem, which runs over HFC cable networks and offers theoretical download speeds from 3 to 30 megabits per second; however, real-world data indicate that you can expect speeds from 400 to 1440 kilobits per second.

The other, older type is a one-way modem that runs over standard cable coaxial networks. These modems offer up to 2 megabits per second download speeds, but they offer no upload capacity because cable networks were not originally designed for two-way communication. With the older system, if you need to send out information over the Internet, you will likely need a separate phone line, modem and ISP. This one-way approach is being dumped as cable companies upgrade to two-way infrastructure.

Cable networks differ from DSL networks in their basic structure. With a cable modem, you are sharing access to the Internet, unlike DSL which runs on a dedicated connection. Cable modem service is set up like a local area network (LAN), making it possible for many users to share the same bandwidth. The downside of shared access is security -- experienced hackers may be able to break into other computers on the same cable network in the neighborhood. Also, as more users in a neighborhood send and receive information, it is possible that the available bandwidth for individual users could shrink, slowing speeds similar to the rush hours on a city highway.

It is worth asking about content restrictions before you purchase the cable modem service.

Benefits:

The benefits of DSL technology far exceed those of other access technologies currently available. These benefits of DSL include:

Speed: DSL is the best solution for high-speed access. DSL can ensure the data rates necessary to handle all kinds of applications, such as broadcast quality video, by-directional video conferencing and very fast data transfer.

Connectivity: With DSL, a user is always connected, does not have to wait to check email or browse the Web because there is no dialing, absolutely no busy signals and no strange noises coming from your modem. Being online all the time places the world at your fingertips. New applications will take advantage of being always on. This constant connection will support streaming applications such as IP Multicast that will be used for business, education, and entertainment.

Ease of use: DSL has proven to be easy to use. It is up and running following a single visit from an installer. Once the installation is complete, the customer simply clicks on their browser and they are connected! Nothing could be easier.

Reliability: The copper-based telephone network over which DSL operates is one of the most reliable infrastructures in the world. It is very rare for phone lines to go down and when they do, service is usually restored very quickly.

Security: DSL, because it uses the existing telephone system, supplies a private, point-to-point connection between a user and the telephone company¹s central office. Nearby customers do not share the line or cable so they have no access to another user¹s data, which is vital for secure business and personal transactions whether from home or at work. Users can make purchases, transact their banking or deal with their most sensitive business issues and feel confident that the information is safe.

Proven Technology: By mid-1999 more than 160,000 users had chosen DSL. Hundreds of thousands more around the world are enjoying the benefits through extensive trials. All are extremely pleased with DSL and often say they would "never" give up their DSL connection.

Competition: Many users who want to get DSL service, regardless of where they are, can get service from more than one supplier. They can choose to take service from their telephone company and often direct from their ISP, even working with multiple ISPs that best meet their needs.

Conclusion

Whichever way you go, the LCT-Corp.DSL promises to be much easier to use than the dial-up method you're probably accustomed to. Imagine the rich content of the Internet at your fingertips, ready to be accessed with a few clicks and no wait! Think of how much more fun surfing the Internet will be - graphics popping into place instead of slowly rendering, CD-quality sound, high-quality video, and blazing fast downloads. The options that the LCT-Corp.DSL opens up are endless!

5 Steps to Install LCT-Corp.DSL

These are the steps that will occur after your DSL order is placed with LCT-Corp.DSL.

LCT-Corp.DSL schedules a time with the telephone company to test and install your outside wiring. The test will determine if you can get DSL. This test will take one day to complete.

Next, a Network Interface Card ("NIC") must be installed in you computer in order to receive DSL service. This card should be a 10 Base T Ethernet, 10 / 100 Base T Ethernet card, but NOT a strictly 100 Base T Ethernet card. LCT-Corp.DSL will provide the DSL modem as part of the monthly service and is property of Louisiana Competitive Telecommunications ("LCT").

LCT-Corp.DSL will contact you to schedule an Installation date. You will be required to let our representative into your location to install and configure the DSL equipment. If for any reason our technician does not arrive on time, please call our Customer Care department immediately at 740-7171. Technicians may be wearing a shirt and ID from LCT.

After your line is successfully installed and configured, LCT-Corp.DSL will assist you in setting up your email accounts. If you need assistance with your email, DNS or Web Hosting please call our Help Desk, 24x7x365, at 1-800-352-8156.

After your line is successfully installed and configured, LCT-Corp.DSL will bill your telephone bill for your first month's service. If you have any questions about these steps to getting your DSL line installed, please call 740-7171 for further details.

Customer Installation Checklist

To provide the best customer service and support in the industry we have developed the following checklist for all of our customers to sign before their service is ordered to ensure your expectations are met.

How long will it take for my DSL line to be installed?

Normal installation takes approximately 7 days for completion. Please see the above "5 Steps to Install" for information on when you should expect to see progress on your DSL line installation.

Is there any reason my DSL line won't be installed?

Yes. Technology such as pair gain, repeaters, bridge taps, load coils and no facilities available may prohibit you from receiving DSL

Do I need to do anything to my PC to receive DSL?

Make sure you have a Network Interface Card (NIC) in your computer that supports RJ-45 10-base-T connections. If you don't have a NIC, you need to purchase and install a LCT-Corp.DSL-supported card before your DSL line can be installed. If you have any questions, please contact a LCT-Corp.DSL representative.

Will LCT-Corp.DSL support my network?

The standard installation includes installing the DSL line only. Everything behind the modem, bridge or router is the customer's responsibility. Please contact a LCT-Corp.DSL representative for more information.

Will LCT-Corp.DSL bill me before the line is installed?

No. Your telephone bill or credit card will be verified for authentication at the time of order acceptance but will not be charged until installation of DSL service is completed.

Return to previous page.



	In order to view the tariffs, you must have the Adobe AcrobatReader.		Frequently Asked Questions about DSL What is ADSL? ADSL, which stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, is a broadband communication technology designed for use on regular phone lines. ADSL is the key technology that enables LCT-Corp.DSL. What are the benefits? In addition to their very high speed, ADSL modems have many benefits over analog modems. Unlike the dial-up connections required for analog modems, your ADSL connection is always on. This means no more waiting for the connection to happen - it's always there. Another benefit is the ability to use the phone at the same time the data connection is on; you don't have to choose between the two. Four Quick Facts About LCT-Corp.DSL 1. DSL modems are much faster than analog modems. The only speed limit with DSL is the speed of the Internet and all the different computers attached to it. Depending on the level of service offered by your ADSL provider, the ADSL modem can download data at speeds ranging from 128 Kilobits per second up to 1.5 Megabits per second. 2. DSL doesn't tie up your phone line! - DSL doesn't interfere with phone calls, even though it uses your regular phone line. What this means is that you can be on the Internet and you can pick up the phone and make a phone call on the same line. 3. DSL is always on! - Your DSL connection is always there. There's no need to dial up and listen to your modem squawk every time you want to do something online. And there's no frustration about the line dropping when you're in the middle of browsing or downloading. Want to check your e-mail? Set up your computer to check for new e-mail and notify you when you receive something instead of logging in and checking it yourself. Want to look at just one web page? Just open your browser and look. With DSL, you are always online! 4. DSL is reliable! - Phone company networks are among the most reliable in the world, experiencing only minutes of downtime each year. How can it be so much faster than a modem when it uses the same phone line? Analog modems send their signals through the public switched telephone network, the same one that connects ordinary telephones. ADSL modems "piggyback" their signals on top of the voice signal. On the phone company's premises, the line gets split - the voice calls are sent to the public switched telephone network, and the data transmission goes to the Internet. This method moves data off the phone companies' lines and instead uses connections optimized for carrying Internet traffic. Will it constantly connect near the maximum speed? At ADSL speeds, the limitations are much more the performance of the Internet server you're trying to reach and the amount of traffic on the Internet. The Internet is a loosely coupled network of computers that are transmitting data by different methods through different computers at different speeds, so the speed you receive data with an ADSL modem is limited by these factors. How does it work? ADSL works by splitting the phone line into two frequency ranges. The frequencies below 4 kHz are reserved for voice, and the range above that is used for data. This makes it possible to use the line for phone calls and data network access at the same time. It is called "asymmetric" because more bandwidth is reserved for receiving data than for sending data. Download speeds range from 128 Kilobits per second up to 1.5 Megabits per second, and upload speeds range from 16 to 384 Kilobits per second. This is useful because many users of the Internet receive much more data than they send. Will it work with my computer? Yes, and the newer the computer the better the performance. There are two types of ADSL modems, internal and external. Internal modems are cards that are installed inside your computer via a PCI plug-in card. External modems can be connected to your computer via a USB, 10BaseT, or other networking interface. We recommend the following minimum configuration for LCT-Corp.DSL users. Computer minimum configuration: · 300 MHz (or faster) Pentium-based processor (or equivalent) · Windows 95/98 or Windows NT operating system · 32 MB RAM for Windows 98/NT 4.0 Service Pack 3 or higher. · Installed dial-up modem · Installed CD-ROM drive · Installed 10 BASE-T Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC) or an available PCI slot · Laptop computers must already have an installed 10 BASE-T Ethernet NIC with RJ45 connectivity · Microsoft TCP/IP stack supporting DHCP addressing (802.3 standards) How will ADSL affect my regular phone calls? In most cases, ADSL will not interfere with your phone calls and vice-versa. In some cases when you are using the same phone line for both ADSL and POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service), you will need to add a simple filter device between your phone and the wall jack. What about my e-mail? Will I have to change my e-mail address? KaplanTel.net customers will not be affected by a change to ADSL service. What is the difference between ADSL and cable modems? ADSL provides always-on high-speed Internet access over a single dedicated telephone line; cable modems offer always-on high-speed Internet access over a shared cable television line. While cable modems have greater downstream (from the Internet into the home) bandwidth capabilities, that bandwidth is shared among all users in a neighborhood, and will therefore vary, perhaps dramatically, as more users in a neighborhood get online at the same time. Cable modem upstream (from the home to the Internet) traffic will in many cases be slower than ADSL, either because the particular cable modem is inherently slower, or because too many people in a neighborhood are trying to send or receive data at the same time. The big difference between ADSL and cable modems, however, is the number of lines available to each. 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. DSL for Home & Business G.Lite ADSL is a new standard for DSL service. It is the most consumer-friendly version of DSL. The cost for equipment and service will be less than other varieties. It will also be easier to install than other varieties - you will be able to do it yourself. It is based on ADSL, and offers downstream speeds up to 1.5 megabits per second and a maximum upstream data rate of 384 kilobits per second. Hardware Information / Compatible Equipment If you are going the ADSL route, there are two types of modems that will work: internal and external. Internal modems are cards that are installed inside your computer via a plug-in card. External modems can be connected to your computer via a USB port, Ethernet jack, or a parallel connection. If your computer is already configured to operate on a local area network (LAN), it will have an interface that can connect to an external modem. It is important to make sure that the DSL modem (sometimes referred to as a "terminal adapter") works with the DSL provider's equipment. Competing Technologies and Comparisons How does DSL compare to: · Analog dial-up modems · Cable modems · Conclusion vs. Analog dial-up modems Analog modems have reached their technical limit in V90 technology that delivers up to 56.6 kilobits per second. Cheap cost and compatibility with most phone lines have made them the communication technology of choice for individual PC users. vs. Cable modems Cable modems are the primary competitor to DSL. They offer high-bandwidth Internet access over cable TV lines, the service is reasonably reliable, and the service costs approximately $40-60/month (plus a $100-175 installation fee). There are two types of cable modems. The most prevalent is the hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) modem, which runs over HFC cable networks and offers theoretical download speeds from 3 to 30 megabits per second; however, real-world data indicate that you can expect speeds from 400 to 1440 kilobits per second. The other, older type is a one-way modem that runs over standard cable coaxial networks. These modems offer up to 2 megabits per second download speeds, but they offer no upload capacity because cable networks were not originally designed for two-way communication. With the older system, if you need to send out information over the Internet, you will likely need a separate phone line, modem and ISP. This one-way approach is being dumped as cable companies upgrade to two-way infrastructure. Cable networks differ from DSL networks in their basic structure. With a cable modem, you are sharing access to the Internet, unlike DSL which runs on a dedicated connection. Cable modem service is set up like a local area network (LAN), making it possible for many users to share the same bandwidth. The downside of shared access is security -- experienced hackers may be able to break into other computers on the same cable network in the neighborhood. Also, as more users in a neighborhood send and receive information, it is possible that the available bandwidth for individual users could shrink, slowing speeds similar to the rush hours on a city highway. It is worth asking about content restrictions before you purchase the cable modem service. Benefits: The benefits of DSL technology far exceed those of other access technologies currently available. These benefits of DSL include: Speed: DSL is the best solution for high-speed access. DSL can ensure the data rates necessary to handle all kinds of applications, such as broadcast quality video, by-directional video conferencing and very fast data transfer. Connectivity: With DSL, a user is always connected, does not have to wait to check email or browse the Web because there is no dialing, absolutely no busy signals and no strange noises coming from your modem. Being online all the time places the world at your fingertips. New applications will take advantage of being always on. This constant connection will support streaming applications such as IP Multicast that will be used for business, education, and entertainment. Ease of use: DSL has proven to be easy to use. It is up and running following a single visit from an installer. Once the installation is complete, the customer simply clicks on their browser and they are connected! Nothing could be easier. Reliability: The copper-based telephone network over which DSL operates is one of the most reliable infrastructures in the world. It is very rare for phone lines to go down and when they do, service is usually restored very quickly. Security: DSL, because it uses the existing telephone system, supplies a private, point-to-point connection between a user and the telephone company¹s central office. Nearby customers do not share the line or cable so they have no access to another user¹s data, which is vital for secure business and personal transactions whether from home or at work. Users can make purchases, transact their banking or deal with their most sensitive business issues and feel confident that the information is safe. Proven Technology: By mid-1999 more than 160,000 users had chosen DSL. Hundreds of thousands more around the world are enjoying the benefits through extensive trials. All are extremely pleased with DSL and often say they would "never" give up their DSL connection. Competition: Many users who want to get DSL service, regardless of where they are, can get service from more than one supplier. They can choose to take service from their telephone company and often direct from their ISP, even working with multiple ISPs that best meet their needs. Conclusion Whichever way you go, the LCT-Corp.DSL promises to be much easier to use than the dial-up method you're probably accustomed to. Imagine the rich content of the Internet at your fingertips, ready to be accessed with a few clicks and no wait! Think of how much more fun surfing the Internet will be - graphics popping into place instead of slowly rendering, CD-quality sound, high-quality video, and blazing fast downloads. The options that the LCT-Corp.DSL opens up are endless! 5 Steps to Install LCT-Corp.DSL These are the steps that will occur after your DSL order is placed with LCT-Corp.DSL. LCT-Corp.DSL schedules a time with the telephone company to test and install your outside wiring. The test will determine if you can get DSL. This test will take one day to complete. Next, a Network Interface Card ("NIC") must be installed in you computer in order to receive DSL service. This card should be a 10 Base T Ethernet, 10 / 100 Base T Ethernet card, but NOT a strictly 100 Base T Ethernet card. LCT-Corp.DSL will provide the DSL modem as part of the monthly service and is property of Louisiana Competitive Telecommunications ("LCT"). LCT-Corp.DSL will contact you to schedule an Installation date. You will be required to let our representative into your location to install and configure the DSL equipment. If for any reason our technician does not arrive on time, please call our Customer Care department immediately at 740-7171. Technicians may be wearing a shirt and ID from LCT. After your line is successfully installed and configured, LCT-Corp.DSL will assist you in setting up your email accounts. If you need assistance with your email, DNS or Web Hosting please call our Help Desk, 24x7x365, at 1-800-352-8156. After your line is successfully installed and configured, LCT-Corp.DSL will bill your telephone bill for your first month's service. If you have any questions about these steps to getting your DSL line installed, please call 740-7171 for further details. Customer Installation Checklist To provide the best customer service and support in the industry we have developed the following checklist for all of our customers to sign before their service is ordered to ensure your expectations are met. How long will it take for my DSL line to be installed? Normal installation takes approximately 7 days for completion. Please see the above "5 Steps to Install" for information on when you should expect to see progress on your DSL line installation. Is there any reason my DSL line won't be installed? Yes. Technology such as pair gain, repeaters, bridge taps, load coils and no facilities available may prohibit you from receiving DSL Do I need to do anything to my PC to receive DSL? Make sure you have a Network Interface Card (NIC) in your computer that supports RJ-45 10-base-T connections. If you don't have a NIC, you need to purchase and install a LCT-Corp.DSL-supported card before your DSL line can be installed. If you have any questions, please contact a LCT-Corp.DSL representative. Will LCT-Corp.DSL support my network? The standard installation includes installing the DSL line only. Everything behind the modem, bridge or router is the customer's responsibility. Please contact a LCT-Corp.DSL representative for more information. Will LCT-Corp.DSL bill me before the line is installed? No. Your telephone bill or credit card will be verified for authentication at the time of order acceptance but will not be charged until installation of DSL service is completed. Return to previous page.
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