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1. What is DSL?

DSL stands for high-speed Digital Subscriber Line. It is a dedicated digital circuit from your home to the telephone company's central office, using normal, copper telephone line. DSL also provides a separate channel for voice phone conversations, which means that voice and fax calls can be carried at the same time high-speed data is flowing across the line. DSL is a generic term that includes several variations. 

2. What are the main advantages of using DSL? 
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Simultaneous Internet and voice/fax capabilities over a single telephone line. Uninterrupted, high-speed Internet access that's always on-line. Cost-effective, high-speed solution- Data Security that exceeds other technologies.

3. Can everyone use DSL?

DSL operates on an active circuit between your location and the phone company's central office. In order to get DSL, the central office in your community must be "enabled" and your location must be within about three miles of the CO as the wire is laid-- not as the crow flies. 

4. Do I need special equipment?

Yes, Northshore Telecomm will assist you in acquiring the equipment you need.



5. Can my networked computers still connect with DSL?

Yes, with a router capable of Network Address Translation (NAT), you can use one IP address to network several computers. 


6. What is the difference between DSL and cable modems?

ADSL provides a dedicated service over a single telephone line; cable modems offer service over a shared media. While cable modems have greater downstream bandwidth capabilities (up to 30 Mbps), that bandwidth is shared among all users on a line, and
will therefore vary, perhaps dramatically, as more users in a neighborhood get online at the same time. Cable modem upstream traffic will in many cases be slower than ADSL, either because the particular cable modem is inherently slower, or because of rate
reductions caused by contention for upstream bandwidth slots. 


7. What is the difference between DSL and ISDN?

ISDN and regular modems are technologies that offer the ability for customers to dial many different locations for Internet access or other online services. With DSL services, the connection is a permanent connection to the Internet Service Provider. ISDN and
analog modem customers who qualify for DSL service and only need to connect to the Internet from one location will want to switch to DSL in order to take advantage of the benefits of higher speeds and an "always on" connection. The greatest advantage that DSL has over ISDN, is that DSL has no usage fees. DSL is billed on a flat rate basis like your local telephone service.