What is ADSL ?

ADSL is a permanent, high-speed internet connection on a standard British Telecom analogue phone line and ADSL-NOW has been launched specifically to supply this service to business users.

In order to use ADSL4home, BT need to install an ADSL modem and splitter in both the telephone exchange and on your premises (unless you choose the self-install option, in which case you will provide and connect the hardware at your premises).

This ADSL service is then connected to your computer(s) via a high security ICSA approved firewall (if specified by customer).

ADSL-NOW adds an 'always on', permanent high-speed internet connection to your normal telephone line which can be shared throughout an office.

You do not lose your existing telephone line while you are using ADSL-NOW to access the internet and you can use ADSL-NOW while you make telephone calls or send faxes.

ADSL-NOW! provides you with:

• 24-hour fixed business internet connection for a fixed cost
  
• Unlimited internet access from our Business DataCentre
• Very high-security ICSA approved Firewall to protect your business (if specified by customer)
• Instant access to email and the web
• Simultaneous internet and phone access
• A fixed IP address underlining your presence on the internet (if specified by customer)

How fast is ADSL-NOW?

ADSL is a contended service, which means you will share the available bandwidth with a number of other users. The amount of bandwidth available to you at any particular moment depends on the number of other users transferring data at that instant. If no other users are active then you will get the full bandwidth available. The contention ratio for business use is 20:1, meaning up to 19 other users will share your bandwidth.

Importantly, ADSL-NOW has been created specifically for business. Unlike the home users who spend most of the time 'surfing', businesses use the internet mainly for email. This means that instantaneous use on the ADSL-NOW network will be low and your data transfer speed high. The line speed for ADSL-NOW is 512k for downloading and 256k for uploading.