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Q:
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What is an "instantly available" Connection?
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A:
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Our DSL enables you
to establish a dedicated connection between your computer in
your home or business location and our partners Networks. This
connection can be established with a simple click of the mouse
and only takes 1-2 seconds - so there's no more waiting while
your computer dials into the network.
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Q:
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Is an "instantly available" connection secure?
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A:
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"Instantly available" DSL connections can be connected
and disconnected at the simple click of a mouse - so this makesit easy to take your computer
off the Internet so hackers won't be able to find you. Additionally, Basic DSL uses a dynamic
IP address, which means every time you log onto the Internet, you get a new "identity"
on the network. That makes it harder for hackers to find you on the Internet - and it improves
your security.
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Q:
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DSL is not available in my area right now, how can I find out when
it will be offered?
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A:
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Our partners have already begun a massive DSL network upgrade
throughout their regions, and some areas have not been fully
upgraded for DSL. When a deployment schedule is finalized, we
will make the appropriate announcements about those cities and
place the schedule online.
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Q:
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Do all customers qualify for DSL service?
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A:
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In addition to having DSL available in their central office,
customers must be less than 12,000 to 17,500 feet from their
central office or live in a neighborhood where a DSL Gateway
has been installed. Please note that the measurement from the
central office to the customer premise is the length of the
telephone line facility, not street miles or air miles. Additionally,
they must have a telephone line qualified to carry the DSL signal.
Not all customers within 3 miles of a DSL-equipped
central office (or who reside in a neighborhood where a DSL Gateway has been installed)
will qualify for DSL service, due to existing conditions of the telephone line.
Examples of limiting conditions are bridge taps and load coils, which are used
as part of the telephone company infrastructure to provide better voice service.
These devices interfere with the DSL signal. When a customer's line has these
conditions, the line is not qualified to carry the DSL signal. Historically,
approximately 60 - 65% of customers out of each central office will qualify for
the service.
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Q:
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Why do I need DSL if I currently have ISDN?
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A:
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DSL is even faster than ISDN. And DSL sends data and voice over
the same line so you talk on the phone while you connect to
the Internet.
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Q:
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I already have Internet access. If I order the promotion will
I have to change my email address?
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A:
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If you already have dial-up Internet access with us, then you'll
be able to keep your current email address and use it with your DSL connection. However,
if you have dial-up Internet access with another provider, then you will need to establish
a new email address with us.
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Q:
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Can I run dedicated servers with DSL?
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A:
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Yes, as long as you have a static IP address on your DSL service.
The best part of DSL is that the larger bandwidth enables you to have an always on
connection to the Internet. This means that you can run anything from mail servers
to FTP sites from your home.
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Q:
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Can I have my own website?
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A:
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Yes, you can run a website if you buy DSL with a static IP address.
With the dedicated connection that DSL offers, you will be able to run a website 24 hours
a day.
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Q:
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What is a dynamic IP address?
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A:
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IP stands for "Internet Protocol." An IP address enables
a computer to be identified on the Internet while the user is on-line. A dynamic IP
address is one that is temporarily assigned to a user from a pool of IP addresses from
a centrally administered server. The user has a different IP address each time s/he logs
onto the Internet.
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Q:
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What is a static IP address?
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A:
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This is an IP address that is the same every time a user logs
on to the Internet. So it enables a user to "host" a website or some other
type of server connection (for example, an email server), since other Internet users will
always know the identity of the hosting computer and will be able to connect to it.
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Q:
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How does DSL work on my existing phone line?
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A:
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DSL is really a feature added to your existing phone
line. The function of the DSL splitter is to handle the voice calls and route
the data off separately to your computer.
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Q:
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Is my Macintosh computer compatible with DSL?
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A:
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Q:
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How do I network two PC's together on a DSL line?
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A:
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We recommend that you contact a LAN consultant to help
with this set-up for your small business or home. Our technical support center
does not have the expertise and cannot assist you with networking.
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Q:
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What are DSL Gateways?
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A:
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DSL Gateways are made up of DSL network equipment, housed
in specialized buildings, that enable residential and business customers to receive
DSL service who previously had been located too far from their central switching
office to get the service.
In effect, they act as miniature central offices that are able
to deliver DSL service beyond the standard 12,000 to 17,500
foot limit of a traditional central office. With the deployment
of DSL Gateways in many neighborhoods, many more residential
and business customers will be able to subscribe to DSL service
in the near future.
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