ADSL stands for Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line. Currently the most popular type of DSL service is ADSL. Asymmetric means that the data moves more quickly downloading from the Internet, than uploading to the Internet.

Yes. Regular voice conversations use less than one percent of a phone line's capacity. ADSL technology finds the remaining 99% of the line's capacity, and uses it to transmit information up to and over 100 times faster than a 56K modem. ADSL technology takes advantage of unused capacity by dividing a copper telephone line into hundreds of segments, each of which is large enough to support one telephone call.

Depending on the package you subscribe to, the maximum speed ranges from 1.5 mbps to 4.0 mbps. The quality or length of your phone line from the phone company's phone exchange may reduce the actual speed on your ADSL connection. In general, the close you are to the host ADSL phone switch, the faster your speed will be.

Comparable download speeds using common connection services:

• ADSL - 80 to 200 KBps
• IDSN - 10 to 12 KBps
• 56K - 3 to 6 KBps

No. ADSL connection can share the same phone line you use to make voice calls or fax services. You can surf the Internet and talk to your friend at the same time.

No. We use only proven ADSL modems on our network. To ensure the highest quality of service available to our customers, we require all customers to either rent or purchase their modems from us.

Generally speaking, we discourage customers making any changes or moving any equipment we installed on site. You can move the connection around so long as the ADSL modem and any other devices, (eg. splitter) is still attached to the original wall outlet.

Our installation cost and setup is based on a single computer system in a non-networked environment. Installation for a LAN or network-based PC environment is the responsibility of the customer.

Yes, in fact you must install your own network card or have someone install it for you before our installer arrive at your site.

PC Users

• Pentium 100 MHz or faster
• Windows 95, 98, NT, or 2000
• 4X CD-ROM
• 32 MB of RAM or higher
• 40 MB of available hard disk space
• Ethernet card (already installed) with transceiver (10 Base-T with RJ-45 style plugs) and drivers installed.

Macintosh Users

• PowerPC processor
• Mac OS 7.6 or higher (with Open Transport)
• 4X CD-ROM
• 32 MB of RAM or higher
• 40 MB of available hard disk space
• Ethernet card (already installed) with transceiver (10 Base-T with RJ-45 style plugs) and drivers installed.

What is covered in the installation cost?

Our installation cost covers the installation on the ADSL modem, splitter, and preparing the phone line for high speed access. The installation costs are based on setting up ADSL service for one computer in a non-networked environment. If you want to have multiple computers sharing the high speed Internet conncetion you would be responsible for the connection and configuration of your networked computers.

Why should I choose ADSL over Cable modem?

Unlike cable modem service which relies on a network shared by all cable subsribers in your neighbourhood, Infoserve's ADSL provides a dedicated connection between your computer and the telephone network. Your connection is not shared with other users. Other users cannot see your computer on the network, which is not the case with cable modem connections. With cable connections, ALL the other users can see and potentially be able to access your computer and files on your computer. With ADSL, your bandwidth to the Internet is not shared with others. Cable modem users must share available bandwidth with all their neighbours. During heavy usage, access speeds on cable modems could be slower than 56K dial-up access! In addition, Infoserve's ADSL service does not require you to subscribe to TV service. An important cost factor when there are more and more people switching to satellite or wireless TV services.