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| ADSL
Plans ADSL2 Plans Requirements FAQ Phone VAS (Value Added Services) Terms & Conditions |
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ADSL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, a broadband technology used to transmit digital information at high speeds over existing phone lines. Unlike dialup Internet, ADSL can provide an almost continuous connection to the Internet. The connections are asymmetric in that download speeds are greater than upload speeds. The original ADSL standard allowed for download speeds of 8,000 kbps but Telstra capped the speed at its exchanges to a maximum of 1,500 kbps. The newer standard of ADSL2 saw the maximum download speed increased to 12,000 kbps and a greater reach from the telephone exchange, but was quickly replaced with ADSL2+, a technology that permitted download speeds of 24,000 kbps, and again extended the allowable provisioning distance from the exchange. However, line speed is dependent on several factors, such as modem, filters and particularly distance from the telephone exchange and phone line quality, and few end users are able to achieve close to the maximum theoretical speeds, but as a rule of thumb, those within one kilometer of the exchange might expect download speeds of over 20,000 kbps and even 2.5 km from the exchange, speeds of 12,000 kbps can be achieved. The cheapest way to get ADSL2+ is by bundling phone services: apart from the often dramatic increase in speed, the Internet is much cheaper and many customers save on Line Rental as well as phone calls -- analysis of customer phone bills indicate savings of 25-30% on calls to mobiles, 50% on STD calls, and even more on International calls (6ø per minute to the USA, NZ, Canada and UK). But if you are under contract with your telco, or for other reasons, want to stay with your current telco, there are unbundled. Speed comparison Table - time taken to download a 4MB MP3 file:
What are the benefits of having ADSL? Because ADSL provides a continuous connection to the Internet, you do not have to pay the cost of a phone call each time you connect, as you do with DialUp, and you don't have to wait to dial every time you want to check your e-mail, do some banking or browse the Internet. In addition, you can use a phone or fax machine on the same line when you are connected to the Internet. ADSL download speed is typically 5 to 50 times faster than a dialup connection, and ADSL2+ up to 400 times faster. Not all exchanges support ADSL2+, but if you call FutureWeb on 1300 361 355, the support staff can perform a Service Qualification test and report expected line speed (assuming Optus has equipment in your local exchange). Even if your exchange is not enabled for ADSL2+, FutureWeb is likely to be able to provision ADSL at speeds of up to 8,000 kbps. Provisioning of ADSL normally takes between 2 and 20 working days, with the current average of about seven days. Pricing of ADSL / ADSL2+ Plans In the main, ADSL2+ is cheaper in comparison than ADSL Plans, so most users are better served with ADSL2+. However, if ADSL2+ is unavailable to you, either because your local telephone exchange is not enabled for ADSL2+, or you are under contract with your current telephony provider, you can choose from FutureWeb's ADSL Plans, which range in download speed from 256 kbps to 8,000 kbps (but in the case of the 8,000 kbps Plans this is a maximum speed and depends on several factors, not the least of which is line quality and distance from the exchange). After
checking availability with FutureWeb, choose
from: What do I need to do to get ADSL? Select an ADSL2+ or ADSL Plan that will best suit your situation. Then fill out and submit the respective Application From, which is available from ADSL2+ Plans or ADSL Plans. FutureWeb will then apply for provisioning of the chosen plan on your phone line. This process may take between two and 20 days, but averages about 5-7 days. If you do not currently have an ADSL modem/router, you can purchase one from FutureWeb or a local computer retail outlet. Once the modem/router is installed and configured to connect to FutureWeb, you should be ready to use ADSL. You will also need a line filter for each telephony device (standard phone handsets, modems, fax machines, EFTPOS machine or other devices that require the phone line) that is plugged into a wall socket. The line filter, or splitter, separates the standard phone line signals from the DSL signals. If you apply for ADSL2+ ensure you have approved ADSL2+ line filters, as most Telstra line filters are incompatible. Where do I get help to install an ADSL modem? FutureWeb will preconfigure a modem before shipping, if requested. The modem needs to be configured with basic information, such as encapsulation and your username and password. Most ADSL modems/routers come with simple instructions detailing their setup and configuration. FutureWeb does not support the configuration of any additional advanced routing features, as this is the responsibility of the end user. Will I receive a static IP address? If required, a static IP Address can be included with all plans. This permanent IP address is used to uniquely identify your Internet connection and is essential for running various services such as Virtual Private Networking and onsite mail servers. Where do I get technical assistance? FutureWeb
offers telephone technical support on 1300 361 355 or via e-mail
at support@futureweb.com.au |
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