August 28, 2008
ADSL Questions and Answers
Answers to common questions about ADSL broadband
Questions Answered
- What does ADSL stand for?
- How does ADSL work?
- What are the main benefits of ADSL?
- How will ADSL affect my regular phone calls?
- How fast is ADSL?
- What is the difference between ADSL and cable modems?
- Once I have an account, how do I use it?
- What do I do if I need technical support?
What does ADSL stand for?
ADSL stands 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 online catalogues.
How does ADSL work?
ADSL modems use frequencies beyond your normal voice phone calls 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 using the Internet with Aardvark's ADSL service.
What are the main benefits of ADSL?
- Simultaneous Internet and voice/fax capabilities over a single telephone line.
- Uninterrupted, high speed Internet access that’s always online.
- No costly additional phone call charges - the service is always connected. If you connect to an ISP once a day at 25c per call, you could be saving over $90 in calls each year.
In addition to their high speed, ADSL modems have many benefits over standard modems. Unlike the need to dial-up as with standard modems, your ADSL connection is always on. That means no more logging on and off, no more busy signals and 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.
Once I have an account, how do I use it?
In most cases, ADSL will not interfere with your phone calls and vice-versa. To ensure interference-free operation, you will need to add a simple device, called a Microfilter, between your phone and the wall connection.
How fast is ADSL?
Aardvark ADSL services range in speed from 256k/64k to 1500k/256k. The first number is your maximum download speed (how fast you can receive data) in kilobits per second. The second number is your maximum upload speed (how fast you can send data) in kilobits per second.
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 download capabilities, that bandwidth is shared among all users in a neighborhood and varies, perhaps dramatically, when more users in a neighborhood are online at the same time. Another big difference between ADSL and cable modems is the number of houses enabled for each service; only around 20 percent of homes are ready for cable modems now, compared to 50 to 60 percent of homes that are ready for ADSL service.
Once I have an account, how do I use it?
When you join, we will provide instructions and phone support so that your computer can connect to Aardvark using ADSL. We presently support the Windows 9x, 2k and XP environments.
What do I do if I need technical support?
We help with all commonly asked general Internet and technical support questions. We endeavour to answer all technical support questions within 24 hours by email, phone or fax.
Contact us on (03) 9558 2214 from Melbourne or on 1300 760 896 Australia wide.
Our tech support hours are between 8am - 9pm Monday to Friday & 10am to 6pm Saturdays. However you can usally find people here after hours. If you can't contact us on the phone, send us an email: support@aardvark.net.au
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