Answers
What is ADSL?
ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. ADSL
is a broadband technology designed for regular phone lines.
Today, ADSL's primary use is for high-speed Internet connections.
But ADSL has the potential to deliver video conferencing,
television, video-on-demand, and other "cutting-edge"
services.
What are the benefits of ADSL?
As well as the speed factor, ADSL is much more convenient
than a dialup modem. ADSL modems are always connected
to the network, meaning there is no "dial-up"
involved, and you no longer pay a telephone call every
time you use the Internet. Additionally, ADSL modems share
a normal telephone line - you don't need a separate line
for the modem. When you evaluate the cost of ADSL, remember
to consider the savings on line rental and telephone calls
compared to an older-style modem. And consider the convenience
of having the Internet always at your fingertips - with
no waiting 60 seconds for the old 33K or 56K modem to
make connection.
What does Broadband mean?
Broadband is simply high-speed transmission. Its greatest
benefit is that you can down-load (bring information off
the Internet into your computer) at a much faster rate
- up to 1.5 Mbps. Documents, free software, games, and
more can all be down-loaded in one-twentieth the time
of conventional modems - 56 Kbps. What makes it possible
is an ATU Modem, which exploits the physical transmission
capabilities of standard telephone lines, to achieve higher
data transfer speeds.
How fast is ADSL compared to
an ordinary modem?
Much faster: ADSL connections vary from 256K to 6000K,
around 200 times faster than an ordinary 33K modem.
Do I need a special phone line
to use an ADSL modem?
No, the vast majority of phone lines are suitable for
ADSL modems. ADSL splits the phone line into two frequency
ranges. Generally, the frequencies below 4 kHz are used
for voice, whilst the range above 4 kHz is used for data.
This allows the telephone to be used at the same time
as the ADSL modem. More bandwidth is reserved for "receiving"
data from the ADSL network as opposed to transmitting
- hence the "Asymmetric" in ADSL.
Is ADSL available everywhere
in Australia?
The wide-scale rollout of ADSL in Australia commenced
in 1999. ADSL will be installed in hundreds of telephone
exchanges across Australia; the entire process will take
a few years to complete. Many areas are already ASDL equipped.
By checking the ADSL Coverage Tool you can check if your
number is available for ADSL. Simply enter your telephone
number and it will identify whether ADSL is available
in your area.
How is ADSL different to…….
The term "cable modem" is typically associated
with Internet services delivered over Hybrid-Fibre-Coaxial
networks, typically the same as used for Pay TV. ADSL
is very different - we think it's vastly superior to cable
modem technology. Here are some reasons:
What type of computer do I need?
Almost all computers (less than 3-4 years old) are suitable
for ADSL. Please see our Support page for assistance on
configuration and hardware requirements.
What is the different between
ISDN and ADSL?
ISDN is a digital service supporting speeds of 64K and
128K in its basic configuration. ADSL is many times faster
than ISDN, and for most Internet-related applications,
ADSL is a better choice. ADSL is also significantly cheaper
than ISDN when you do not have to pay for ISDN call rates.
That sounds great, how long
does it take to get installed?
It usually takes between 10-20 working days from the time
you order until the time installation is complete.
