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What does ADSL stand for?
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. RADSL stands for Rate-Adaptive Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line.

What speeds is it capable of?
ADSL has two speeds you need to be aware of.
The upload speed, or speed you can send data, is set at 256kbps for all types of available line, except RADSL.

All orders for Single-user 512Kbps USB and Home500 ADSL are now provided as rate adaptive (RADSL). For existing single-user (USB) customers, as well as new customers located within 3.5km of their DSL exchange, the specification of the service should remain unchanged. Customers, who are approximately 3.5km to 5.5km from a DSL equipped local exchange (previously out of range of any DSL service) will now be able to order the Single-user 512Kbps USB service - subject to favourable line conditions.

All customers that were outside the old limitations (3.5km, 41dB, 200nF), but are now within the new RADSL parameters, will receive the same level of service downstream as the current service. However, upload speeds from the customer are reduced slightly to enable the reach to be increased. These 'up-stream' speeds will typically range from 64kbps to 256kbps depending on line traffic and distance from the local exchange.

Three download speeds are available on the 'S' and 'Office' services (1:20 contention ratio), these are 512kbps, 1Mbps and 2Mbps.

Why is ADSL asymmetric?
An ADSL line can cope with transferring a set number of bit per second - the bitrate - regardless of direction. This can be varied to allow more bits to download rather than upload and vice versa. As ADSL is intended for client computers rather than servers it has been configured to increase the download speed which in turn reduces the upload speed. This type of connection is known as asymmetric.

Why is it better than a standard modem and telephone line?
Modems were designed to allow computers to communicate over the standard PSTN - a system designed for voice communications only. This limits the speed that computers can talk over the system as it is not sufficiently high quality - every digital signal has to be converted into an audible tone and then 'heard' by the remote computer. This process is called modulation demodulation. The fastest possible speed over a PSTN line is 56kbps. ADSL upgrades your line to one designed for digital communication, capable of up to 2mbps.

Can I still use my 'phone with it?
Yes. Your ADSL line will be fitted with a gizmo that converts your phone signal into a digital one so it can be sent along the line. Better still, your phone can be used at the same time as your Internet connection - although this may cause a small reduction in the the speed of your Internet connection temporarily. Please note that you will still have to pay BT separately for any voice calls, including Line Rental.

Will I need a new number?
Most end users will be able to keep their existing BT numbers.

What can I use an ADSL line for?
ADSL is perfect for home or small business. In any situation it will improve performance, but here are some particular uses:

Firstly, ADSL is a network connection, so it does not have to be restricted down to one machine, like a modem. Plug your ADSL line into your network hub and all your machines can have access to the Internet.

The age-old problem of email lag is solved. Normally a business has a half-hour or so delay is collecting email if it using an ISDN or modem connection as it tries to save on call costs. ADSL has no call costs so you can check for mail as often as you like!

Home users suffering from high phone bills may wish to consider ADSL as an Internet solution that is not only very fast but never springs nasty surprises on you once every three months.

Anyone with a requirement for downloading large files, such as applications or multimedia files, will benefit from the speed of ADSL. The world-wide wait is over.

Businesses with ecommerce web sites have a new opportunity to streamline ordering processes. Now the order taken on your main web server can be transferred to your local server and your internal sales order processing system with the minimum of time delays. You can even hook up your stock control computer and still avoid huge connection charges.

Do I need a new line?
No. In nearly all cases, you existing BT analogue phone line can be upgraded, although this will require a visit from an engineer if you choose our ADSL - with hardware service. You can keep your phone number and still use your analogue phone with it. If you currently have an ISDN line, you will have to cancel this and go back to a standard BT PSTN line.

What equipment will I need?
This depends on which service you select, with the ADSL services with hardware, we will supply the hardware and software you need to connect either the USB or 10BaseT Ethernet port on your PC to the ADSL service. if you choose the 'Wires Only' service you will need to supply all the hardware including the Micro Filters (available from Business 1st) that is required to connect you PC or Local Area Network to the ADSL enabled telephone socket on the wall.

The ADSL signal is carried by two ADSL modems - one in the end user's premises and one in the local exchange. These ADSL modems are designed to exploit the physical transmission capabilities of the copper line, to achieve the higher data rates. A 'splitter' (or Micro Filters with the Wires Only service), at the end user's premises and one in the exchange, separates the telephony signal from the ADSL signal. This means that telephone calls can be made at the same time that data is being sent or received (i.e. a customer can surf the Internet and still make telephone calls).

What computer system is ADSL compatible with?
Windows 98, 98SE, ME, Windows 2000 or Windows XP and Apple Mac, running OS 7.5.3 upwards (OS X not currently supported)

USB port
CD ROM drive
Pentium 133Mhz or higher
32 Mbytes of RAM or higher

Please note - at present there is no support for PCs running Dual Processors.

What is Wires Only?
The newly launched Home and Office ADSL products are wires-only services, which means no hardware, in the form of a modem, or router, is provided by BT as part of this service. The ADSL connection is terminated on a standard PSTN master socket. The End User must connect to the telephone socket via a micro-filter and an ADSL modem, or router, in order for the service to be used. This helps reduce the initial cost and give the End User more control and choice of equipment.

No call charges when I'm on-line? Really?
Really. Once your subscription is paid, you will have a permanent connection to the Internet with no additional line charges. However, BT will still charge separately for any voice calls.

I have seen some sites refer to xDSL. Is this the same?
In a way. ADSL is a type of DSL (Digital Subscriber Line). The x symbolises that what is being discussed is a member of the DSL family. Other types of DSL include:

HDSL - High bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line
IDSL - ISDN Digital Subscriber Line
VDSL - Very high bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line

However, only ADSL is being made available in the UK at present.

What else can DSL technologies be used for?
At a possible bit rate of 2Mbps, the opportunity exists for real video-on-demand systems and other types of interactive television. Set-top box systems will become available within the next couple of years.