| ISDN FAQ: |
Features, Capabilities and Requirements
Availability and Pricing General Product Information |
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More FAQs: |
Dial-up Access Service |
| Features, Capabilities and Requirements |
What do I need to connect to the Internet using ISDN? What does your ISDN Internet access include? What type of computer system do I need? What type of ISDN equipment should I buy? Can I use my existing ISDN equipment with your service? Do you support 2 B-channel (2-B) connections? Do you support call-back? Do you support ISDN Primary Rate connections? |
| Availability and Pricing |
Where is your ISDN Internet access available? |
| General Product Information |
Is ISDN Internet access for business or consumers? Why is the speed of ISDN sometimes referred to as 56 kbps, 64 kbps, 112 kbps, 128 kbps or even 144 kbps? What is xDSL and how does it compare to ISDN? What about TV cable companies offering Internet access at speeds even faster than ISDN? Where can I learn more about ISDN? |
Features, Capabilities and Requirements
- What do I need to connect to the Internet using ISDN?
- There are three basic components required:
- ISDN Internet access and Internet software
- An ISDN phone line from the telephone company
- ISDN hardware
- What does your ISDN Internet access include?
- We offer everything you need including:
- ISDN Internet access and Internet software
- Full Internet access at speeds to 128 kbps
- Access to e-mail, WWW, newsgroups, and FTP
- Customized Netscape Navigator including e-mail
- TCP/IP and dialer
- ISDN Internet access and Internet software
- What type of computer system do I need?
- Windows users should have the following minimum configuration:
- 486sx or higher Windows based computer
- Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95/98 or Windows NT 4.0
- 8MB RAM (16MB RAM recommended)
- 10MB free hard disk space (25MB recommended)
- 16550 UART
- Com Port 1 or 2
- Macintosh users should have the following minimum configuration:
- 68030 or PowerPC
- MacOS System 7.1 or higher
- 8 MB RAM
- 10 MB free hard disk space (20 MB recommended)
- Open Transport Version 1.1, if using Open Transport
- What type of ISDN equipment should I buy?
- Check out our ISDN Hardware List to see if your equipment is compatible with our network.
- Can I use my existing ISDN equipment with your service?
- If you already have ISDN equipment it will most likely be interoperable
with our network, but we will provide full support for our bundled solution
only. You can check out our ISDN Hardware List to
see if your equipment is compatible with our network.
- Do you support 2 B-channel (2-B) connections?
- Initially, you will need to set-up your equipment configuration
options for a 2-B connection. We plan to offer dynamic
2-B connections when the Bandwidth Allocation Control Protocol
(BACP) is available. BACP enables you to automatically connect
and disconnect a second B channel connection as you need it (for
example, when you are downloading a large file). That means you'll
save money because you're only paying for the second B channel
connection when you actually need it.
BACP is a transmission protocol that is being developed by ISDN equipment manufacturers. It is expected to be finalized later soon. We plan to support BACP in our network as soon as it is available.
- Do you support call-back?
- Many customers who want to run a Web site at their facilities
would like their Internet Service Provider to support a call-back
feature (that is, we would call you and set up the ISDN call when
someone wants to look at your Web site). We do not plan to support
this feature at the time of our product introduction.
- Do you support ISDN Primary Rate connections?
- Currently, Primary Rate (23B+D) is not being considered as a service offering.
Availability and Pricing
- Where is your ISDN Internet access available?
- Our ISDN service is available via a local call throughtout the
Reno/Sparks/Carson City/Incline Village area.
- How much does your ISDN Internet access cost?
- Our ISDN Internet access is $21.95 for installation and $21.95 for unlimited use of 2 B channel access. Usage charges for your ISDN line are not included with either pricing plan. (Separate line charges apply; see phone company for details.)
General Product Information
- Is ISDN Internet access for business or consumers?
- ISDN access is primarily for consumers and small to medium-size
businesses. However, many larger businesses use ISDN Internet
access for remote access and telecommuting applications.
- Why is the speed of ISDN sometimes referred to as 56 kbps, 64 kbps, 112 kbps, 128 kbps or even 144 kbps?
- While all of Nevada Bell's central office switches are capable
of "clear channel coding" which supports 64 kbps per
B channel, a few older switches only support 56 kbps per B-channel.
Many ISDN devices allow you to aggregate two B-channels for a
total of 128 kbps, or if you are on an older switch 115 kbps.
The ISDN protocol actually supports a third 16 kbps channel (D-channel)
for network signalling, so the total line speed is 144 kbps.
The type of ISDN device you use will also impact speed since some devices only support a single B-channel at 64 kbps or even 56 kbps.
- What is xDSL and how does it compare to ISDN?
-
xDSL refers to a set of emerging Digital Subscriber Line technologies
that provide a high speed, dedicated digital circuit over a standard
telephone line. It can provide bandwidth of up to 1.5 Mbps downstream
(to the customer) and up to 640 kbps upstream (from the customer)
depending on the specific technology used.
In general, xDSL will complement ISDN by meeting the needs of customers who want to transmit at speeds faster than ISDN. An important difference is that ISDN is a switched service allowing you to call different locations such as your Internet Service Provider, corporate LAN, or third party databases. In contrast, at this point, xDSL is a point-to-point, dedicated service so it connects you to only one other location (for example, your Internet Service Provider).
- What about TV cable companies offering Internet access at speeds even faster than ISDN?
-
Several cable companies around the country are testing fast Internet access
using cable modem technology. Because this technology requires significant
upgrades to the cable system, deployment of services has been much slower
than anticipated, and standards are still being developed. Some cable
companies are offering the service on a commercial basis, but only in a
few neighborhoods where the system has been upgraded.
- Where can I learn more about ISDN?
- For more information about ISDN technology check out the ISDN User Guide.