jetBlue. While jetBlue currently does not offer onboard Wi-Fi services, it does plan to roll out a satellite-based broadband service in 2012. They haven’t said yet whether it will be free or paid.

Continental Airlines. As with jetBlue, Continental also has plans to offer in-flight Wi-Fi in 2012.

Delta. Frequent travelers get deals on in-flight Wi-Fi with Delta. A monthly pass costs $34.95, and an annual pass costs $399.95. For infrequent travelers, 24 hours of Wi-Fi costs $11.65.

Southwest. While not all Southwest flights are WiFi enabled, those that are offer service for just $5 per flight. That’s a per-device cost, so it’s more economical to connect a device that can act as a Wi-Fi hotspot, thereby enabling other devices to connect. (Example: connecting Android smartphone and creating a hotspot for your laptop.)

United Airlines. United Airlines offers WiFi on only a few flights, which are mainly those between New York and either San Francisco or Los Angeles. Rates do vary depending on flight time, but it can typically cost between $10 and $50 — sorry that it’s not a more helpful range.

Virgin America. Virgin America offers Wi-Fi connections for both laptops and handheld devices. Prices for laptops range between $5 and $15, depending on length of flight. A monthly pass costs $35. Handheld devices cost either $5 for flights under 90 minutes, and $8 for flights over that range.

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Airlines that offer Wi-Fi networks

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Airlines that offer Wi-Fi networks

Free Public WiFi networks

Be wary of the so-called Free Public WiFi networks. These tend to be fake unsecured networks and by connecting to them, you run the risk of having information stolen.

Limited range

So you found a free and secured WiFi network in the airport, but that access is limited to a specific terminal or waiting area. This will become a nightmare if you share a terminal or waiting area with a screaming baby and/or someone with a bad case of gas. Trust me on this one.

You have to be a member of the club

A few airlines offer carte blanche wireless high speed internet access, but unless you’re a frequent First Class flyer or purchase a club membership, chances are you’ll never get to take advantage of this travel perk.

Your best bet

The most convenient and straightforward way to securely connect to the internet – whether in an airport or hotel – is through a mobile broadband device.

All major cell phone providers offer a wireless data service for mobile broadband capable devices including tablets, mobile hotspots, netbooks, and laptop sticks. As long as you can get a signal from your cell phone provider, you can connect to the internet from your laptop, tablet, or mobile device.

Just be sure to get an unlimited data plan, otherwise internet overage charges will burn a hole in your wallet.

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Airport WiFi Not a Reliable Option for Business Travelers

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Airport WiFi Not a Reliable Option for Business Travelers

There are many smartphones available, and so there are tons of choices. Here are a few suggestions when picking the smartphones for your workforce.

Compitability

Not all IT departments are the same. Each runs different hardware and software. Those configurations will mean a lot when setting up smartphones. For instance, if a company doesn’t run Microsoft Exchange, it might not make as much sense to arm the workforce with iPhones, since iPhones work optimally with Microsoft Exchange. Similarly, a small company might not want to invest in a BlackBerry Enterprise Server and then absorb the additional costs associated with one. The foremost consideration in putting smartphones in employees’ hands is the compatibility with the current systems.

Security

When it comes to business, security is a top priority. While hacking attacks aren’t exactly common, they can post a great risk to any business, big or small. Choosing a smartphone platform that provides the greatest level of security should rank highly among a business’s considerations. This might mean spending a great deal more. Using the above example, going with BlackBerry means investing more in a BlackBerry Enterprise Server. But it also means having data encrypted at Research In Motion’s data centers, which means a greater level of security. It’s a tough balancing act, but it is a critical one.

Versatility

While the BlackBerry might be the most secure smartphone, it is also the least versatile. Users will get the basics — email, calendar, and contacts, with easy syncing to computers — but very little more. While a lot of the extras are entertainment-based, many of them can serve a purpose for businesses. A platform such as iPhone will offer users more features for essentially the same price — and perhaps cheaper when considering the cost of BES. Versatility might not be quite as important as security, but it does play a role in the decision.

Price

Of course, businesses can’t just throw money at the issue and declare a solution. They need to make measured decisions on every aspect, including price. Again, the most secure solution might cost a lot, but the less secure and cheaper option can leave businesses more vulnerable. There are monthly fees to consider as well — RIM is notorious for its monthly charge per user for BES usage. The extra price just might not work for some companies, even if the solution is otherwise the best.

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Arming employees with smartphones

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Arming employees with smartphones

For starters, the prepaid cell phone will save over the cost of a basic contract cell phone plan. Services such as T-Mobile and Net10 offer minutes for about 10 cents each. For low-usage callers, this can save heavily over a $40 postpaid monthly calling plan. For heavier callers there are many unlimited plans that can fit the bill. Any way you slice it, you can find cheaper service, with long distance included, with prepaid wireless.

Where do those savings go, then? To the tablet device. Many of these devices are equipped with 3G, or even 4G, radios. That gives them all the capabilities of smartphones, other than voice calls — hence the prepaid phone for that function. Yet at the same time, tablets are now powerful enough to handle many functions that previously required a laptop. Users can create documents, manage communications, and even access their work desktop computers, all from a small device.

An Android tablet, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab, can provide an easy solution. It runs on the Android platform and therefore functions in a manner similar to a smartphone. But at the same time it’s far more portable than a laptop, while providing many of the same functions. In fact, it strips down the laptop experience and takes out all the unnecessary aspects. What’s left can help business users get the most out of their devices.

The total monthly savings will certainly play a role in this decision. Mobile workers who don’t need the phone frequently will save the most, since they can go with a cheap per-minute prepaid wireless plan. Cost savings are also realized from the devices themselves. Even the most expensive Android tablets cost in the $700 range, though one like the Galaxy Tab can be much cheaper than that. All in all, a tablet PC should cost considerably less than a laptop. So those are both up-front and recurring savings.

The switch from laptops and smartphones to tablets and prepaid cell phones might not be an easy one. Workers are used to the versatility of a laptop computer and might be hesitant to use a tablet instead. But these devices are becoming more powerful, and can handle many simple business-related tasks. It is certainly one way to stay on top of all communications, while helping the bottom line.

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Smartphones vs. Tablets for Mobile Workers

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Smartphones vs. Tablets for Mobile Workers

Mobility

Obviously, the No. 1 advantage mobile phones have over stationary phones is that they can go with the user wherever they are. That means fewer voicemails to be checked. It also means easier access to the employee, from clients and bosses. This can help foster a more efficient workplace, where tasks left on voicemail don’t slip through the cracks, and where clients can talk to their representative one-on-one, no matter where he’s currently stationed.

Data On The Go

Mobile solutions are expensive not only because they provide mobility, but also because they provide more services than a landline or VoIP carrier. That is, they provide data and messaging services on top of the standard voice options. This means employees can access information from wherever they are, making for a more flexible work environment.

The BlackBerry has long been considered the best smartphone for businesses. It contains a world-class messaging system, which will keep all mobile employees connected to their email at all times. It also has a high-quality web browser, a big upgrade from older BlackBerry models, and applications that can help a mobile worker do her job more efficiently. There are even apps that allow employees to access their office computers, making mobile life even easier.

Always-On Connection

One of the advantages landlines have over VoIP solutions is connectivity. If power goes out in the office, so goes a VoIP connection. The same goes for the internet connection. Every so often everyone experiences an issue with their internet connection. For VoIP customers, this means problems with the phone lines. Some businesses just can’t afford this type of inconvenience. It can cost them time, and therefore money.

Mobile phone connections are essentially always on. There need be only a few bars of reception for an employee to access basic voice and messaging services. While signal-less areas do pose a problem, there are far fewer of them now than there were even two years ago. Most of America is blanketed with cellular network signal, and with all of the roaming agreements between carriers it’s sometimes tough to find an area that has no service.

The Rub: Price

The three above-mentioned features don’t come for free. The added convenience necessarily means a higher price on those services. On our VoIP comparison you can see plans for as little as $7 per month. Even the most expensive ones are $20 per month. Cell phone plans will cost more than double that — maybe even triple, depending on what services you require. Many cell phone carriers work with businesses to provide custom solutions that help keep costs down. But where you pay $20 for VoIP service, you might end up paying $80 per month for a single employee’s smartphone, and that doesn’t even cover the cost of the smartphone itself.

As with the VoiP vs. landlines debate, the VoIP vs. cell phones debate comes down to each business’s unique needs. For some businesses, the extra cost of mobile phones is a mere investment. They can recoup it with the added work its employees can handle. For others, though, it’s an unnecessary cost that will negatively affect the bottom line. Choose with care.

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What’s Best for Your Business: VoIP or Unlimited Cellular?

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What’s Best for Your Business: VoIP or Unlimited Cellular?

In any case, the telephone has been around for more than one hundred years, and has really changed very little during that time. Traditional telephony first made way for cellular technology, and more recently, for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

When setting up your small business, one of the most important choices you must make is what type of phone service to use. Many people are choosing to go completely cellular, forgoing landlines altogether. That’s fine for personal use. But you probably won’t be taking part in any conference calls at home, and it wouldn’t impress your clients if you couldn’t get a wireless signal. You need to find reliable conference call services so you can be available when your clients need you. When it comes to your business phones, the realistic choices are landlines and VoIP. Which one should you go with?

The first step in making that choice is to understand what VoIP is. Everyone knows how a telephone works. You call the phone company, they turn on the phone line, you plug your phone into the wall, and you can start making calls. Ok, it’s a little more complicated than that, but there’s not need to get into all the technical details. But how does VoIP differ from traditional phone service? Basically, rather than making and accepting calls over traditional phone lines, your calls are transmitted via the Internet. Rather than plugging your phone directly into the wall, you plug it into a VoIp adapter, which is connected to your computer. You still use your phone the way you always have, but your calls are traveling over Internet lines rather than phone lines.

It’s still a bit more technical than that, so to make the best choice for your business needs, it might help to learn some advantages and disadvantages to both landlines and VoIP.

Advantages of landlines

Traditional telephone technology has been around much longer than VoIP. Phone companies have a well established infrastructure, and the resources to quickly correct problems when they arise.

Regular telephones connect directly to phone lines. Because there is no need for electricity, they will work even during a power outage.

According to an independent study, landline phones work 99.9% of the time, making them still the most reliable phones available.

Disadvantages of landlines

Service providers may charge extra for features such as caller ID, call waiting, and call forwarding.

While directory assistance is readily available, most phone companies charge for the service.

Advantages of VoIP

It’s less expensive because the voice signals travel over the Internet. Internet connections are established most often via cable networks. Though less frequently nowadays, Internet connections may also exist via DSL or dialup, both of which use phone lines. The cost for VoIP is lower because the signal conveyance method already exists.

Many VoIP providers offer extra features such as call waiting, caller ID, and call forwarding at no extra charge.

Disadvantages of VoIP

If your Internet connection is down, your phone is down. Not all VoIP services require your computer to be on to make calls, but they do all require that your Internet connection be active. If for any reason you lose your Internet connection, you also lose your ability to make and receive calls.

VoIP service is not as reliable as traditional phone service, dropping more calls on average. This can produce problems that range from general annoyance when you’re chatting with a friend, to being detrimental to your business if it happens during a conference call with your client.

Many VoIP services do not work with the 9-1-1 emergency services network. If the service you choose doesn’t connect directly to this service, it’s a good idea to have another phone as a backup.

Not all VoIP providers offer directory assistance.

Some VoIP services don’t work if the power goes out. This is because while your computer may not have to be on for VoIP to work, your phone must still be connected to your Internet modem, which requires electricity to function.

Whether you choose traditional phone service or go with VoIP will really come down to what your specific needs are, and what features are most important to you and your business.

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Landlines vs. VoIP – Which is better for your business?

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Landlines vs. VoIP – Which is better for your business?

AT&T Ringbacks

If you are an AT&T customer, you know ringback tones as “answer tones.” To setup your answer tones, all you need to do is visit the AT&T wireless Web site. You’ll see a list of available answer tones where you will be able to preview them to see if that’s what you want your callers to hear. Once you have chosen an answer tone you like, click the “Buy” button. Answer tones cost $1.99 each per year, and the service will cost $0.99 per month. At this point, you will be prompted to login to your account. If you do not have an AT&T wireless account, you will have to create one.

Once you have logged in to your account, you will be able to complete your purchase and use the answer back tone. Within the account, you should see the option to “Manage My Answer Tones.” This will allow you to set which answer tones callers will hear. Answer tones can be set for days of the week, each contact, or certain times of the day. Setting up answer tones can also be done through your handset if you have access to MediaNet or Media Mall. Prepaid customers can also get answer tones for an additional $1.00 delivery fee.

T-Mobile Ringbacks

T-Mobile customers know ringback tones as “caller tones.” To setup caller tones, visit the T-Mobile Web site. To access the tones, you’ll need to subscribe to the service for $1.49 per month and $1.99 per tone. Subscribe to the service through your online account. From there, you’ll be able to preview, purchase, and setup caller tones.

To setup caller tones from your device, dial: *TUNE (*8863). Currently, caller tones are not available to prepaid customers.

Verizon Ringbacks

Verizon customers know ringback tones by that name. To setup ringback tones, visit the Verizon Web site. Simply preview a tone, click “buy” and login to your account to complete the purchase. From within your account, you’ll see an option to “Manage Ringback Tones.” From here, you’ll be able to set ringback tones for individual callers, days of the week, and times of the day.

Ringback tones are available for a fee of $1.99 per tone per year and $0.99 per month for both contract and prepaid customers. They can be purchased and managed from your handset by going to: Get It Now > Tunes and Tones > Get New Tones > VZW Tones Deluxe. If you don’t have the VZW Tones Deluxe app on your phone, you can choose the “Get New Application” option after the “Get New Tones” menu. The app will allow you to find, preview, purchase, and set ringbacks.

Sprint Ringbacks

Sprint customers know ringback tones as “call tones.” To make use of this service, you’ll need to visit the Sprint PCS Web site and login to your Sprint account. If you do not have one, you will have to create one. Once in your account, look for the “PCS Vision Services” link. Choose “Content Catalog.” This will allow you to preview the call tones before making a purchase. When you find one you want, purchase it. It will then move to the “My Content Manager” where you will be able to handle assignments to callers based on groups, individuals, or time of day.

To purchase and manage call tones from your phone: Use your phone’s web browser to navigate to the Sprint PCS Vision Web site. Choose: Downloads > Caller Tones. Find the call tone you want and choose “Buy Now.” From here, you can choose assignments following these steps: Click “Add/Remove Numbers.” Then enter the 10 digit phone number to assign the call tone to and repeat as necessary for all numbers you want to hear the call tone.

Ringback and Ringtones

Ringback tones are different from regular ringtones in the sense that ringbacks are offered and hosted by your carrier. This is why there is a monthly or annual charge for the service, and also why you cannot find and download your own ringbacks.

Ringtones can be purchased and downloaded directly from your wireless carrier or from a variety of Web sites. The following Web sites require registration and verify your phone via text message.

• Myxer offers free ringtones to many wireless customers, though you will have to pay for the download if you’re not using an unlimited data plan. Verizon wireless customers receive their tones through a PIX message so they will pay a text messaging fee.
• PhoneZoo is another service very similar to Mxyertones, offering free and custom ringtones to nearly all wireless customers.
• SendMeMobile Ringtones is similar to Myxtones and Phonezoo, except a $9.99/month service charge is billed to your cell phone bill for each month the service is used and carries ringtones for all of the major cellular services including harder to find Sprint ringtones.

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How to Customize Your Ringback Tones

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How to Customize Your Ringback Tones

What is VOIP anyway? VOIP is an acronym that stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. What does that mean? There are plenty of technical manuals that you can read that will spell out the specifics of audio protocol and data storage, but the basics are these: VOIP takes analog audio signals (the same signals sent via telephone wire) and turns them into digital data which is then sent over the internet to another converter that turns the signal back into an analog signal and delivers it to the person you are talking to. This is how VOIP users can talk on the phone to people who are not VOIP users. The digital signal takes up less space than the analog, which means the communication happens faster than it does during regular phone calls.

What are my VOIP options?

When it comes to using VOIP there are a few user options available. Many people choose a device called an ATA (analog telephone adaptor). This is a device that acts as a translator between your regular telephone and your internet connection. You simply plug one end into your phone and the other into your internet source and then continue making calls as usual! Another option for people who want to switch to VOIP is an IP Phone. The IP Phone looks exactly like a regular phone but it connects to your internet router with an Ethernet cable. Finally, for those who don’t want to bother with special equipment, VOIP calls can be sent from computer to computer. This is the easiest way to use the technology and it is definitely the cheapest option. All you need is a microphone, speakers and a sound card and you can chat away!

What are the Cost Advantages to VOIP?

With the economy spiraling out of control, it is completely understandable that your household budget is under some scrutiny. The fact is, VOIP is quite a bit cheaper than most of the “regular” phone and calling plans that are available. In fact, in some cases, VOIP service is free for those who choose to make calls with their computers!

Even for those people who want to keep using their regular telephones (or an IP phone) VOIP is definitely more cost effective than most of your traditional phone services. In fact, if you have a broadband connection to the internet, you can eliminate your home phone line completely! Many of the services that come in your VOIP package are “extras” on a traditional phone service. Even better, you can access your VOIP from anywhere with your computer, which means you can cut down on the amount of time you spend on your cell phone while you are traveling. International calling is also much less expensive with VOIP than a regular phone line. If you make international calls on a regular basis, using VOIP could save you hundreds of dollars!

3 Hints to Help You Choose a VOIP Service

So now that you know how great VOIP service is, and how much better it is than traditional phone service, how do you choose a service? Here are some hints to help you chose the VOIP service that best meets your needs:

1. First, ask yourself what you need the most from your VOIP provider. There are plenty of companies out there that will try to “wow” you with extra features, but they might not have the features you actually need. What is most important to you? The best way to figure this out is to ask yourself why, exactly, you are choosing to use VOIP instead of traditional phone service.

2. Do your research. Do a search on each company you are thinking about using. Look for independent reviews of their services. Contact the better business bureau to find out if there have been any complaints made about the company.

3. Look into its 911 service. The better companies will have their 911 switchboards fully staffed and operational. The 911 dispatch offered by VOIP has had a few kinks to work out, so make sure that the company you want to use has a 911 dispatch that can truly help you if you ever encounter an emergency.

What about Porting Your Phone Number to Your VOIP Service?

Does switching to VOIP mean that you have to change your phone number? Not necessarily! Each VOIP service provider has different rules and methods for porting a phone number from a “regular” service to a VOIP service. Check with your chosen VOIP provider before signing up to make sure that the porting process goes smoothly.

The only problem most people have encountered is when they port their phone number to one VOIP service and then try to port the number to a different VOIP service. In fact, it is much better to port your traditional phone service phone number to your VOIP service than to get a new, VOIP-provided, phone number. This is because you don’t own VOIP phone numbers the way you do traditional phone numbers. Legally, a “regular” phone number belongs to you, but you need to make sure you are aware of the laws regarding porting a telephone number in your area and check with your VOIP providers before switching services.

How do VOIP Costs Compare to Current Phone Service Providers?

In terms of home phone service, unlimited long distance within the Continental US, here are the lowest rates offered the major VOIP providers:

Vonage: $14.99
Via Talk: $9.95
Zingotel: $19.95
Joi Phone: $17.95
VOIP: does not offer unlimited calling within the Continental U.S.

Here are the same costs from the major regular phone service providers. These are the monthly rates offered via each company’s website. Make sure to check your local providers for discounts that might be available in your area.

AT&T: $32.99
Cincinnati Bell: $39.99
Qwest: $20.00 added on to whichever local calling plan you choose
Comcast: $29.99
Verizon: $49.99

Traditional service is quite a bit more expensive than VOIP service!

In the end VOIP is the next generation in telephone service. With more and more people switching over to communicating via the internet (e-mail, instant messaging, video chat, etc); VOIP is the next natural step! After all, why pay for separate internet and phone lines when you can simply hook your phone up to your internet connection? You don’t have to worry about changing phone numbers as most VOIP providers will import your current number. VOIP providers also offer plenty of other additional features like money back guarantees, call waiting, voice mail, call forwarding etc. Of course, probably the best benefit of using VOIP is the money you’ll save every month!

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The Power of VoIP

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The Power of VoIP

Although the procedure can vary based on the countries and cities you are calling to, there are generally two ways you can place an International call. The first is by dialing direct. To dial direct, just use the following formula:

011 + Country Code + City Code + Telephone Number

For example, if you wished to call Berlin, Germany you would dial the following:

011 + 49 + 30 + the phone number of the person you are trying to reach.

Please note that the number of digits in the country codes and city codes can vary depending on the area. The second way you can place an International call is by using an operator. However, using this method is usually MUCH more expensive than dialing direct. To place a call using an operator, you would use the following formula:

01 + Country Code + City Code + Telephone Number.

You can find listings of Country and City Codes in most phone books or by doing an Internet search for International Calling Codes.

Saving Money on International Calling

International long distance rates vary greatly depending on the country you are calling and the way you make the call. Dial Around Services, International Calling Plans and Calling Cards often offer much lower rates than basic long distance providers do.

Dial Around Services

Most dial arounds begin with a code such as 10-10 followed by a three-digit access code. Some others are accessed by dialing an 800 number before dialing your final destination. Using a Dial Around Service allows you to “dial around” your regular long distance carrier and use another long distance carrier that offers cheaper International rates than your normal long distance provider – without affecting your regular long distance calls not dialed with the Dial Around Access Number. Before choosing a Dial Around Service, be sure to find out:

• Are there any monthly charges?
• What are the per minute rates?
• Are the rates affected by the time of day the call is placed?
• Are there any surcharges for each call placed?
• Are there extra charges for phone calls placed to cellular telephones?

International Calling Plans

An International calling plan is a monthly plan you get via your long distance carrier with previously quoted discount International calling rates and in most cases includes a monthly fee, usually between 3 and 8 dollars a month.

Also, some long distance companies who offer International Calling Plans also require you to use them for domestic (within the U.S.) long distance as well. Be sure that you compare the savings on the International rates to domestic rates which could be higher than what you currently pay for your domestic long distance. Before choosing an International Calling Plan, be sure to find out:

• Are there any monthly charges?
• What are the per minute rates?
• Are the rates affected by the time of day the call is placed?
• Are there extra charges for calls placed to cell phones?
• Are you required to use their service for domestic long distance as well? (If so, find out the rates and compare them to your current rates.)

Calling Cards

Calling Cards come in two forms – Pre Paid and Post Paid. With a Pre Paid calling card, you pay for your telephone usage prior to making your calls. They can be purchased in many different dollar and minute increments. You make calls by dialing a toll free access number and then entering a pin number prior to placing your call. A Post Paid calling card works the same as a Pre Paid card, with the difference being that you pay for the calls after you make them by being billed, usually monthly, by the Post Paid Calling Card Provider.

Calling cards generally offer discounted rates for International calling and can be used from any phone, which makes them a convenient choice for traveling. Before choosing a calling card, be sure to check for:

• Is there a surcharge for each call placed?
• Is there a monthly fee for each month there is use of the card?
• Does the card expire within a certain amount of time?
• What are the per minute rates?
• Are there extra charges for calls placed to cell phones?
• Are the rates affected by the time of day the call is placed?

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)

VoIP services basically turns your Internet connection into a phone line. Some services allow you to talk over the computer with a microphone and speakers. Others turn your Internet connection into a full fledge phone line that you can hook special VoIP phones into and talk just like you would on a normal phone. Services vary from very limited to an excellent replacement for local phone service.

VoIP plans usually offer substantially discounted long distance rates to International locations because utilizing an Internet connection is much cheaper than using a landline connection. Before choosing a VoIP provider, be sure to check for:

• Is there a surcharge for each call placed?
• Is there a monthly fee to be able to access the service?
• Are there extra charges if you are calling a cellular phone?
• What are the per minute rates?
• Are the rates affected by the time of day the call you place the call?

Tips for Saving on International Calling

Shop around when choosing a Dial Around, VoIP or Calling Card Provider. Be sure to check the “fine print” for the service.

Know your calling patterns. Figure out which countries you call the most and look for a service with the best rates to those specific areas.

Decide if you need to be able to take your service with you if you travel.

Be sure to review your bill closely and to call your provider periodically to see if rates have changed.

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International Calling Information

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International Calling Information

Cable modem services offer shared bandwidth between your and your neighbors. Your speed will vary with how many people are on the cable modem network, which may be a disadvantage. With DSL service, you have a dedicated connection to your home.

How Does DSL Service Work?

Traditional phone service connects your home or business to a telephone company office over copper wires that are wrapped around each other. The wires are called twisted pair. The digital modem, which may be purchased or rented, — located at your location — accesses the local telephone companies’ central office where a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer, which translates your DSL signal, has been installed. The signal is then transmitted from the copper telephone line onto a network backbone, and directed to the ISP’s location, where the ISP verifies the access to the network and delivers users to the Internet through the ISP’s relationship with a backbone network provider.

What Types of DSL Service are Available?

There are currently at least six different types of DSL. They are Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL), ISDN Digital Subscriber Line (IDSL), High-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line (HDSL), Very high-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL), and Rate-Adaptive Digital Subscriber Line (RADSL). Each one has different technical ranges, capabilities, and limitations.

ASDL
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) has different speed in both directions. Basically, with ASDL, the rate at which information transfers down is different (and usually higher) than the rate at which speed transfers up. ASDL is the most typical type of DSL found in home use because most users need to download faster than they need to upload since they do more of the former. This allows you to put most of the speed into surfing and downloading information at fast speeds.

SDSL
SDSL (Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line) has synchronous speeds. Information transfers down at the same rate that is transfers up. SDSL is a usual choice for businesses due to multiple computers usually accessing the same connection. With multiple users using an Internet connection, you can use more transfer up than that which would get used in a typical home setting where only one or a few computers would be accessing the single connection.

IDSL
IDSL (IDSN Digital Subscriber Line) also offers symmetrical transfer speeds at a fixed speed (thus limiting the choice of your speed rate to 144 Kbps). IDSL is a popular choice for users in rural areas where they are two far from a switch to obtain ADSL or SDSL, but want something faster than a V.90 connection offered by most dial up services.

HDSL
HDSL (High-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line) also offers symmetrical speeds. This is a service usually limited to commercial zones and is seen as an alternative type of T1 data transfer service. HDSL requires two phone lines to work.

VDSL
VDSL (Very High-bit-rate Digital subscriber Line) is the highest speed DSL connection, but with limited range. In order to use a VDSL connection, you need to be within a short distance from the central line.

RADSL
RADSL (Rate-Adaptive Digital Subscriber Line) is an ADSL technology that dynamically adjusts transmissions based on the line quality and the distance the transfer is traveling. RADSL, like ADSL, allows transfers to occur at different speeds in both directions.

What are the Advantages to having DSL?

Faster Speed
DSL and cable modems are much faster than analog modems. Different varieties of DSL provide different maximum speeds, from twice as fast to approximately 125 times faster than standard dial up services.

Always On
Your DSL or CM (cable modem) connection is always there. There’s no need to dial up and listen to your modem squawk. And there’s no frustration about the line dropping.

Flat Rate Service
DSL and CM typically don’t have usage-sensitive pricing, which means that the connection can be used any time for as long as you need without incurring usage charges. Technical advances enable prices to fall and gain in power, facilitating the creation and operation of global networks.

What are the Disadvantages to having DSL?

Distance
Distance between the user’s premises and phone company’s central office or cable installation is a primary factor deciding who can get these services and the speed of these services. Rural users usually can’t access ADSL and must an IDSL alternative if one is available.

Limited Competition
External providers must coordinate with local phone or cable companies to provide service, which may cause installation delays.

Security
Because DSL is always on, you may want to check with the provider about security vulnerability and precautions. DSL users should make sure they have a firewall software installed and protecting their system.

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DSL Facts and Information

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DSL Facts and Information