DSL SERVICE
 Availability
DSL service is available throughout much (but not all) of our
service area. Availability varies according to telephone company
equipment located in your area.
Installation and Pricing Information
FAQ
What is DSL?
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a broadband technology for
businesses and residences that uses telephone copper lines. Assuming
that your location is close enough to a telephone company Central
Office (CO) that offers DSL service, an individual connection can
provide from 144 Kbps to 1.544 Mbps downstream and about 128 Kbps
upstream. xDSL refers to the general category of DSL services and
represents the different variations of DSL, such as ADSL and SDSL. A
DSL line is continuously connected so is sometimes called an "always
on" technology. DSL technologies are also referred to as "last mile"
technologies because they are used only for connections from a
telephone Central Office to an individual location, not between CO’s .
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How does DSL work?
Traditional phone service connects your location to a telephone
company Central Office over copper wires. Voice is transmitted on
these wires by using a natural analog signal and converting it into
an electrical equivalent in terms of volume (signal amplitude) and
pitch (frequency of wave change). Analog transmission uses a small
portion of the available bandwidth of a copper wire. DSL takes
advantage of this unused bandwidth (or frequencies) on existing
phone lines. The ability of computers to receive information on
these frequencies is constrained in that the telephone company
"flags" information that arrives to the CO as digital, not analog
data. The equipment "assumes" that the data arriving needs to be
changed into analog form before sending it on to the receiving
computer. That's why your computer has to have a modem for data
transfer - it demodulates the analog signal sent and translates it
to the string of 0 and 1 values that is the digital data that your
computer can understand. In other words, the required change from
digital to analog and back to digital phone slows down transmission
speed.
DSL however, is a telephone company technology that assumes digital
data does not require a change back into analog form. Digital data
is transmitted from and to your computer directly as digital data
and this allows the phone company to use more of the available
bandwidth or frequency for transmitting it.
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How is DSL service from WMIS
different from other providers’ DSL?
There are some very important advantages in the DSL services offered
by WMIS Internet - benefits not available from most providers.
Business DSL
The WMIS Internet Business DSL Service guarantees Quality of
Service. It’s a claim that very few DSL competitors can make. Ask
them! Using advanced ATM network technology and Nortel© equipment,
four classes of service are provisioned (link to Platinum, etc),
each with multiple bandwidth, types of DSL, and each guaranteeing a
specified CIR (Committed Information Rate). It’s Quality of Service
that delivers performance for critical business applications - a
different DSL.
Residential DSL
WMIS Residential DSL offers fast, quality DSL service for
residential users as well, but without the guarantees that typical
businesses need. Two speed selections are available and features
included with the service are firewall protection and a dynamic IP
address.
Customer Support
One other important consideration in selecting a DSL provider is
customer support. The WMIS technical support staff is experienced
and helpful in installation, troubleshooting and answering questions
and is available daily with pager back-up support
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What is ATM?
ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) is a transport technology that
utilizes a fixed-size cell structure to carry different data types.
Think of standardized freight containers used to transport freight.
Because the containers are standard sizes, the transfer of the
container from carrier to carrier - from a boat, to a train to a
truck for example - can be done all using the same container.
Similarly, ATM technology allows the network to recognize standard
container sizes in which the data is carried and is able to
transmit it quickly from network to network, all in the same
container. This requires fewer resources from the switching
equipment and enables non-coordinated data transmission between
devices - all of which delivers speedier transmissions. Not all DSL
providers utilize this advanced ATM technology - WMIS Internet does.
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What is Committed Information Rate?
CIR guarantees a percentage of through put by specifying the level
of data traffic (in bits) which is to be transmitted over a period
of time-not at every instant of time, but averaged over a period.
The CIR can be anywhere between 0%-100% at the speed of the access
line and the speed of the port of the device (typically a router) to
which you connect . )% CIR means data will be transmitted as
network traffic allows. 100% CIR means data will be
transmitted as
"priority delivery", possibly by passing lower CIR transmissions.
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Does DSL require a separate
line?
No, it depends. Some installations and facilities require an
additional line and some do not.
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What is CPE or DSL equipment?
CPE or DSL Equipment is Customer Premise Equipment and is the
hardware provided by the customer and is necessary to enable a DSL
connection. It includes:
1.) An Ethernet Interface, also called Network
Interface Card (NIC), is needed for each computer or computer
network that will connect to the CPE. A NIC can be purchased from
and installed by WMIS Internet or by most computer/electronics
stores.
2.)To insure performance, specific customer
premise equipment is required. It is leased with the fee included in
your monthly service. For residential DSL, equipment must be
purchased. Click here to request more information.
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ADSL
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line is "asymmetric" because most of
its two-way or duplex bandwidth is devoted to the downstream
direction, sending data to the user. Only a small portion of
bandwidth is available for upstream or user-interaction messages.
ADSL is a good choice for companies or residential users who use the
Internet to browse for research and shopping because much more
information in downloaded to your computer than is uploaded from
your computer to the Internet.
Unlike broadband service over your cable TV line, using ADSL, you
won't be competing for bandwidth with neighbors in your area. In
many cases, your existing telephone lines will work with ADSL. In
some areas, they may need upgrading.
SDSL
Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line is "symmetric" because its
bandwidth is equally shared in the upstream and downstream
direction. This is a good choice for companies or residential users
that upload as much information to the Internet as they download.
Unlike broadband service over your cable TV line, using SDSL, you
won't be competing for bandwidth with neighbors in your area. In
many cases, your existing telephone lines will work with SDSL. In
some areas, they may need upgrading.
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How fast are the upload and
download speeds?
DSL speeds generally range from 192 Kbps upstream/128 Kbps
downstream to 7.5 Mbps upstream/1 Mbps downstream. However, DSL is a
distance-sensitive technology - the farther away the customer’s
location is from the telephone Central Office that services it, the
slower the DSL speed is. Here are the estimated speeds based on
distance from a Central Office:
ADSL Expected Speeds
192 Kbps / 128 Kbps - up to 27K ft *** (3.4 miles)
384 Kbps / 128 Kbps - up to 22K ft *** (2.8 miles)
768 Kbps / 384 Kbps - up to 22K ft *** (2.4 miles)
1.9 Kbs / 850 Kbps - up to 18K ft *** (2.1 miles)
4.0 Mbps / 900 Kbps - up to14K ft *** (2.0 miles)
7.5 Mbps / 1 Mbps - up to 11K ft *** (1.8 miles)
SDSL Expected Speeds
192 Kbps up and downstream - up to 18K ft *** (3.4 miles)
384 Kbps up and downstream - up to 18K ft *** (3.4 miles)
768 Kbps up and downstream - up to 18K ft *** (2.5 miles)
1.2 Mbps up and downstream - up to 16K ft *** (2.1 miles)
2.3 Mbps up and downstream - up to 10K ft *** (1.7 miles)
***from Central Office
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Is DSL available in my area?
DSL is available in many parts of the WMIS Internet service area.
But because not all telephone company Central Offices are equipped
to provide DSL service, it is not available everywhere. In order to
provide accurate information about availability, we need to know the
area code and telephone number of the location needing DSL service.
Contact Us
for information on availability
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Is there a contract or minimum
service agreement?
There is a one year contract required for Business DSL. There is no
contract required for residential DSL.
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What is the DSL installation
process for my computer and how long does it take?
Connections are installed on average in approximately 30 calendar
days from the time of order. Each installation is unique however,
and site specific factors may cause installation to exceed 30 days.
There are 2 parts to the installation:
1.) The telephone company checks the line and confirms the distance
and availability of DSL service for the line. Usually, access to the
inside of your house is not needed for part one of the installation.
2.) An installer hooks up and tests your DSL
equipment. Inside access to your computer is required for the second
part of the installation. The exception to this is self-installed
Residential DSL.
We cannot schedule a specific time of day for the
first part, however we can specify for you a morning or afternoon
for the second part of the installation, which will be approximately
3-5 days after the telephone company completes their inspection.
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