Frequently Asked Questions

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ADSL Frequently Asked Questions

What does ADSL stand for?
How does it work?
How fast is ADSL?
Why is ADSL better than ISDN?
Common problems associated with installation of ADSL?
Do you provide a static IP?
Can I connect to an office network from home using VPN?
Is there a minimum contract period?
Is this service movable, should I need to change location?
Is the connection speed constant or does it fluctuate?
Are there any limitations on ports either way?
Is it difficult to change from a leased line to ADSL?
Which areas will have this service available to them?
What will ADSL do that ISDN can't?
Is it possible to network the Standard Connect option?
Do products like ICQ operate over ADSL?

What does ADSL stand for?
Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line. ADSL is a new technology that uses ordinary phone lines but enables them to become high-speed digital lines for extremely fast Internet access and file downloading.

How does it work?
ADSL modems use digital coding. Therefore you are getting more capacity out of your phone line without interference to your regular phone usage. In effect, you can talk on the phone, send fax and surf the web simultaneously.

How fast is ADSL?
Depending on the product you have installed,. ADSL provides download speeds of 512 kbps, 1024 kbps and 2048 kbps and 256 kbps upstream.

Why is ADSL better than ISDN?
It is faster, permanently connected, the costs are set and not dependent on usage and you can use an existing BT phone line where as ISDN needs installation of an additional line.

Common problems associated with installation of ADSL?
The availability of ADSL services at a specific location is subject to technical limitations and survey. Service availability in an area is constrained geographically. Another common problem is the absence of customers at their premises when BT call to install the line. (In the BT trial this accounted for over two thirds of late lines) Equally there is a charge of £300.00 to the customer of each time this occurs.

Do you provide a static IP?
Yes with all ADSL services.

Can I connect to an office network from home by using VPN?
This depends on the VPN technology used and it's particular requirements. There are some VPNS that will work but check the particular VPN technology.

Is there a minimum contract period?
Yes 1 year for all the Business Connect Services.

Is this service movable, should I need to change location?
Yes in a fashion. If you move to another ADSL capable location you should be able to continue the original contract at the new location although you will have to pay an additional setup charge. If, however, you move to a non ADSL capable area you are still liable for the whole years rental even if you are not using the line. Bear in mind that the above applies more to the Business Connect Services as they are 1 year contracts. With the Standard Connect Service, you give one month's notice and just wait until the month expires.

Is the connection speed constant or does it fluctuate?
It will fluctuate according to the contention BT have imposed on each service.

Are there any limitations on ports either way?
Yes the entiahosts.co.uk 500 Connect Service has all ports open in both directions although as NAT is not an option, port forwarding is irrelevant. Business Connect with Static IP Addresses have ports open both ways. Using NAT, there are no port forwarding as such but the ports are open for outbound traffic only.

Is it difficult to change form a leased line to ADSL?
ADSL is not a replacement for a leased line. They are considered two separate products.

Which areas will have this service available to them?
Check your local exchange is ADSL compatible by visiting
Availability Checker

What will ADSL do that ISDN can't?
Much greater bandwidth speeds and NO CALL CHARGES. It is like upgrading from a Mercedes to a Ferrari without having to pay for the fuel.

Is it possible to network the Standard Connect option?
Yes it is possible through the addition of a third party solutions such as Vicom Internet Gateway. But we must stress that the customer is responsible for supporting such software themselves.

Do products like ICQ operate over ADSL?
Not with Network Address Translation but it will with a static IP.