DSL - Frequently Asked Questions

DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line [ details]. A high-frequency signal transmitted over copper telephone wires separate of the low-frequency signal transmission used for voice telephone calls. This is an "always on" connection that can provide fast and secure Internet access.

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Faster - up to 250x faster than a 28.8 dial up modem. With DSL, surfing the web and sending email occurs at speeds approaching instant. You can use the Internet more efficiently, getting more done in less time.
Reliable - "Always-On" Internet access. No more time spent dialing and logging on. Accessing email and the Internet is just a mouse click away. All this over regular phone lines.
Affordable - With tribcsp.com DSL Internet Services, you can now afford high-speed access that was once available only to businesses with expensive Frame Relay connections. Plus, you can link multiple computers in your home or office the DSL connection. And with today's computers, using mobile and wireless technology, you can easily link your computers without wires. No more waiting in line to use the Internet, no paying for multiple dial-up accounts, and no problem setting up your laptop to surf wirelessly from any room in the house. tribcsp.com DSL Internet Services is the answer to faster, reliable, and affordable high-speed Internet access.

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DSL technology allows you simultaneously make voice telephone calls and always be connected to the Internet.
You no longer have to sacrifice phone calls for internet access. If you've paid for a separate telephone line just for internet usage, you can gain an "always on" high-speed connection and drop additional telephone service line and save on the overall monthly costs.

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ADSL (asymmetrical DSL) - features download speed is faster than the upload speed. ADSL is currently deployed by Qwest Communications.
SDSL (symmetrical DSL) - features upload and download speeds that are the same.
IDSL (ISDN DSL) - requires a specially installed phone line included as part of the service. The advantage of IDSL is it has a greater range than ADSL or SDSL.

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Speed (communications) is measured in "bits per second".
Storage (data) is measured in "bytes". A little math for you: 8 bits = 1 byte

Dial up connections average 33,600 bps
Choice DSL service is 256,000 bps
Choice Deluxe service is up to1,500,000 bps
By comparison, a T-1 connection is 1,544,000 bps

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Current dial up modems are capable of 56 Kbps connections, in theory. Limiting this speed are factors such as

1. a 53 Kbps limit on modem communications using telephone lines
2. Remote Access equipment used by ISP
3. "Line-quality" issues such as distance from local Central Office, poor copper analog lines, weather effects on exposed copper lines, etc.

Though there are some that can see "speeds" at or above 53,600 bps, the nominal Dial up connection is around 33,600 bps, and "data compression" enabling the overall transfer speed.

Current cable modem services are capable of 10 Mbps (or higher) bandwidth [details]. They have the ability to carry multiple frequencies of analog signals (multiplexing) on a single copper wire. This allows for voice, data, and video transmissions simultaneously.

The internet services offered by cable modem companies have:

1. Separate rate service plans for residential or business locations
2. Metered bandwidth usage. Exceeding a certain amount of monthly usage incurs additional charges
3. Metered PC connections. Each computer that connects to "share" service needs to be registered. After a set number of computers are registered, additional charges apply
4. Enterprise-class network services are significantly higher in cost, limited in internet services flexibility, and network scalable
5. A "shared network segment" configuration allows for any computer to be able to "see" all other connections in the area. This makes the computer vulnerable to outside attacks. And since all computers on the segment "share" the available bandwidth, this will degrade overall "speed" as more PCs simultaneously use the segment.

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DSL service subscribers can save as much as 75% of the monthly cost of a T-1 line. In addition, one-time charges such as installation cost and equipment cost are much less.

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Current Qwest telephone service customers can use their existing telephone line for tribcsp.com DSL Internet Service. If you don't have Qwest telephone service, there is a service referred to as "Standalone DSL" that uses a "dry copper" line (telephone line without voice services). Standalone DSL service is 1.5 Mbps (megabits per second) download speed, and is available for both Qwest Central Office or Remote Terminal deployments.

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DSL is limited by the distance of your residence or business from the Qwest's Central Office DSLAM or Remote Terminal equipment that may lie between your location and the central office. These factors are beyond the control of tribcsp.com Internet Services. If you are interested in determining if your phone qualifies for DSL service, please contact us.

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DSL is an high-frequency analog electrical signal carried over copper phone lines. The physical properties of the copper limit the distance the signal can travel without the signal becoming distorted or faded.

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Distance is measured by the length of the cable that twists and turns underground - not as the crow flies. The limitations are different for the different types of DSL. The distance limit for ADSL is typically 18,000 feet or approximately 3 miles.

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Qwest DSL has nine service packages, each with a different monthly charge. For details on our latest Products and Promotions, click here.

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Qwest DSL connections are "Asymmetric-DSL" requiring a modem that supports PPPoverATM. With the different "flavors" of DSL, there are different modems that can be only be used with them.
Provided by Qwest is the Actiontec GT701-WG (an ethernet and wireless access point modem|router).

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tribcsp.com Internet Services is an ISP Host for Qwest DSL subscribers in Wyoming. We provide the "always-on", un-metered Internet service for your DSL connection from by Qwest.
Also included with the service are the traditional benefits of:

• 4 e-mail accounts (each with 30 MB of e-mail storage and 10 MB of web server storage)
• Free access to over 65,000 discussion newsgroups
• Dial-up access for your computer when away from the Qwest DSL circuit
• For DSL network support we provide a Tier 1 help-desk call center in Casper, Wyoming and a Tier 2 liaison for Qwest DSL Repair.

tribcsp.com has a variety of service plans related to the level of Qwest DSL service you have:

Network Services

• DSL - Timed service includes 25 hours per month of Dial up access.
• DSL - Untimed service includes unlimited Dial up access.

tribcsp.com network I. P. addresses are assigned via DHCP services. If you require a static I. P. address with DNS support, please print this IP Request Form (PDF) and return it to our office.

If you have special needs that are not covered by the above plans, please contact us.

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Cost varies according to type of service. Please contact us to determine the correct options for your Internet Service needs. Rates typically start at $34.95/month.

DSL service from Qwest are available in 8 speeds for 9 service packages.
3 basic service packages range in speed from 256 Kbps up to 1.5 Mbps.
Standalone DSL is always up to 1.5 Mbps
4 professional service packages range in speed from 640 Kbps up to 7 Mbps

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There are no service contracts for Qwest DSL and tribcsp.com Internet Services. You can sign a contract for Qwest DSL Professional packages to receive a lower monthly rate, but are not required.

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There are no additional charges for connecting multiple computers
No limit to the amount of data transferred
No separate charges for residential of business subscribers
"Point-to-Point" Internet connection allows for network flexibility and scalable Use of connection for self-hosted internet services such as gaming, e-mail, web, ftp services and virtual private networking and remote desktop connections are limited only by your computers, services you can't get with cable modem access.

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1. Give us your phone number. For us to process a Qwest DSL service order for you, we need a Qwest telephone service number for the location that will be receiving the service so that we may verify Qwest DSL service availability on the line.
2. We will then report back to you about the results of testing and, if available, the Qwest DSL service options you can choose from.
3. You complete a Letter of Authorization and send it to us. This allows us to place the order on your behalf with Qwest. You may download and print a copy of the Letter of Authorization (PDF), or contact us to have one mailed or faxed to you.

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