Below you will find answers to our most Frequently Asked Questions about TSTT's High Speed Access.
Choose from the topics below to find out more:
TSTT High Speed Internet is a new service that offers customers a great bundled package of an ADSL connection, an Internet connection and a Firewall service. The ADSL connection of TSTT High Speed Internet allows customers to enjoy several benefits such as Internet speeds at 2 to 5 times faster than normal 56 KBPS dial-up modems, that gives instant internet access and is always on. The higher Internet speeds mean that several Internet users can share one Internet connection, with each enjoying fast Internet access. With TSTT High Speed Internet, customers can now use one telephone line to make telephone calls and surf the Internet at the same time. TSTT High Speed Internet uses an existing phone line hence there is no need to install an additional line. TSTT High Speed Internet can be used to deliver bandwidth intensive applications like streaming audio / video, online games, application programs, video conferencing and other high bandwidth services.
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is a technology provided by telephone companies to provide next generation high bandwidth services (faster Internet and data speeds) to the home and business using the existing telephone cabling infrastructure. ADSL to the home / business over existing phone lines promises bandwidths up to 256 KBPS, but distance limitations and line quality conditions can reduce what will actually be achievable. ADSL technology uses a greater frequency range over the telephone cable than the traditional telephone service uses. This allows for greater bandwidth which can now be used to send and receive data information. ADSL is called "asymmetric" because it provides faster download speeds to the home / business, than upload speeds to the World Wide Web (WWW). This makes ADSL an ideal high-speed broadband solution for residential users and small to medium-sized businesses which typically download more data than they upload. TSTT High Speed Internet users now have the ability to send and receive data (e-mail, documents, pictures, audio files) at speeds much faster than traditional 56K dial up analog modems.
Not everyone can get TSTT High Speed Internet. To be eligible for the service a customer must:
- Work / live in an area where TSTT has installed ADSL equipment in the Exchange from which the customer receives telephone service.
- Have a home / business that is within a specific distance from your Exchange.
- Have telephone service in an area where TSTT has not installed equipment that will boost voice signals but distort the ADSL signal, for example load coils.
- Have telephone service working off copper wires that are required for ADSL. Customers who have service off fiber-optic wiring or wireless local loop are unable to receive ADSL service. All new requests will be pre-qualified before TSTT High Speed Internet is installed on the customer's telephone line. This will ensure that a customer has service in an area where ADSL can be offered, and that the customer's telephone line quality can support ADSL service. If your home / business does not qualify now, you may qualify some time in the near future since TSTT is working quickly to install new equipment and increase the range limit.
- To support ADSL, additional charges may apply for upgrades to your home's internal wiring or your telephone line.
- An ADSL ready phone line from TSTT. TSTT will pre-qualify an application before High Speed Internet service is installed on the customer's phone line.
- An ADSL modem or router that is compatible with our ADSL service.
- A computer that has either a 10BaseT Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC) or a USB port.
- A POTS splitter and /or microfilter for telephone sets or fax machines.
Speed.
The main benefit of TSTT High Speed Internet service is speed, speed, speed!!!! You can surf the Internet at 2 to 5 times faster than an analog 56K dial up modem. Because DSL modems are much faster than dial-up Internet access, downloading and uploading Web pages take a fraction of the time.
Convenience.
The broad bandwidth allows for simultaneous transmission of voice and data over a single copper line. Hence you can make or receive phone calls while you are on the Internet.
Instant connection.
Home / Business has its own dedicated connection to the Internet that is always on! Unlike analog dial-up Internet services, where you have to call into a local phone number, wait for the modem to connect, then wait again to logon to the actual Internet, DSL service is always connected to the Internet; no dial up required.
Unlimited Internet access.
No billing for Internet usage. For a flat monthly fee a customer can enjoy unlimited Internet use at phenomenal speeds!
Cost Savings.
No need to pay for an additional phone line since your DSL service can use the same phone lines that your basic telephone service uses. Also no need for several dial up packages. The broad bandwidth of one (1) High Speed Internet connection can be simultaneously shared by several home users / employees!
Telephone voice features remain the same.
You can still enjoy call waiting, call forwarding, voice mail and more!
TSTT High Speed Internet will provide speeds that are 2 to 5 times faster than a 56K dial-up modem. The exact speed depends on several factors including the distance from your home to the DSL equipment in TSTT's Exchange; shorter distances yield a faster connection. The quality of a phone line (age, gauge, or the presence of devices that boost voice signals), and the quality of wiring in your home will also affect the speed. Computer performance and configuration, computer network or WWW congestion and Web sites accessed will also affect speeds. Speed of service, uninterrupted and error free service is not guaranteed.
- Residences / businesses using the Internet for more than 2 hours a day.
- Residences / businesses that download large amounts of data from the Internet such as music, video, educational files, software upgrades, on-line shopping and Internet based research.
- Residences / businesses that need faster Internet access.
- Residences / businesses that require multiple users to access the Internet at the same time e.g. households with parents and school-aged children.
- Households / businesses with a second phone line solely for Internet access.
- Telecommuters who need to communicate with either a Corporate LAN or University. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can be used which will enable telecommuters to access either the Corporate LAN or the University LAN.
- Teenagers and young adults who enjoy playing on-line games.
- Residences / businesses that want to lower Internet and operating costs. There are no additional phone lines required solely for Internet access, and no additional costs accrued due to going over the Internet usage limit. Also, no need for businesses to have more than one (1) unlimited dial-up package because several employees need to logon to the Net simultaneously.
- Businesses that rely on e-mail to conduct business. Businesses that require an Internet configuration that is robust enough to handle multiple access and large information gathering (downloads). Businesses that maintain an Internet/Intranet for customers and suppliers to gain valuable information, or have staff working from remote locations. These businesses will require a VPN on the Corporate Network.
Service Questions
Wireless Broadband is Here!
