How can I find out if ADSL is available to me?
Telephone us on 01743 340034 and tell us your postcode and telephone number. We will then be able to inform you if it is available to you.
To be able to receive ADSL, your local BT telephone exchange will need to have been upgraded. A DSLAM unit has to be installed to serve ADSL users. You will need to be within 3.5km or 5.5km of your exchange depending on which version of ADSL you would like.
Which telephone exchanges are enabled for ADSL?
There are currently over 1010 exchanges enabled. We have regular updates of enabled exchanges, telephone us on 01743 340034 to find out about exchanges near to you.
What type of telephone line do I need to be able to have ADSL?
You will need a live, single, analogue BT telephone line. The line must not have any other services such as Redcare or Switchboard services on the line.
An ISDN2 and home highway line can also be converted to ADSL. Please contact us to arrange special conversions if this is the case. There are no additional costs for this type of conversion.
What happens to my telephone line when I convert to ADSL?
The analogue (voice/phone) signal down the line from your local exchange to your premises is combined with the ADSL 'data' signal. Your existing BT wallbox is modified to include a splitter, which separates the voice and data signals again. The result is two sockets on the wallbox, one for your telephone and one for your ADSL.
What do I get if I decide to have ADSL?
The engineer will upgrade your wallbox to the splitter with two sockets. Into the RJ11 socket he will connect your modem / router. If you order the USB version you will receive a modem with a USB connection for your PC. If you order the Ethernet version you will receive an ADSL router with Ethernet interface.
Previous to this, work will have been done at your local exchange so that your line is recognised as being converted to ADSL.
If when I check with Icom and it states that ADSL is available on my telephone line, is this 100% accurate?
The check is a good guide as to whether ADSL will be available. However, there is no guarantee that ADSL will be suitable for your line. This is because ADSL is distance dependent. On receipt of your order, more sophisticated tests are performed, after approximately five days we will be able to confirm whether ADSL can be installed on your line
What is NAT?
NAT is an acronym for Network Address Translation. It operates as a solution
to having multiple, global IP addresses. If you intend to connect your
current LAN to The Internet, it is likely you will use a form of NAT so that
each computer does not require a global unique IP address, but instead can
use private addressing in the ranges:
10.0.0.0 -> 10.254.254.254
172.16.0.0 -> 172.31.254.254
192.168.0.0 -> 192.168.254.254
All traffic for the Internet goes through one external host--Usually a router.
NAT allows your router to be supplied with a single, real RIPE registered IP address already assigned to it. When your PC requests information from the Internet, the router converts the private IP address of the PC into the single real IP address of the router and then makes the request for information on behalf of the PC. The router keeps track of which internal PC requested which piece of information and passes the correct response from the Internet back to the correct PC.
All the PC's on your LAN will appear to the outside world as if they all have the same IP address. This will increase security as this IP address is not on any of the PC's themselves but on the router.
If you need to use services that are either pushed at your network (eg SMTP mail) or information that needs to be requested from a network (eg Web pages on a HTTP server in your network) then you will not be able to use NAT. You will need to order the NoNAT version of ADSL, see below.
How does NAT work?
NAT is often built into routers. It receives each packet from the internal private network and modifies the IP header to match the global IP address of the router, before it is transmitted out into The Internet. The router stores the internal IP address, destination IP address and port number in a routing table so when a request is returned on the same port, the NAT can match the internal IP address that originated the request, and then modify the IP header to match that of the internal address.
So NAT is a good thing?
Generally, yes. NAT saves on IP allocation. You can use an IP address from one of those in the ranges stated above for all the internal hosts on your LAN, but still connect to The Internet using NAT. Each IP address costs money, so NAT will help reduce costs. It should also help keep IPv4 address available until we are converted to IPv6.
What is NoNAT?
The NoNAT version of ADSL will provide a subnet; a range of valid global IP addresses that will mean that you would be able to run servers (such as Mail, Web or File servers) and make your Intranet available to the outside world.
When you request NoNAT through Icomdsl we allocate you the use of 16 static IP addresses, of which 13 are usable. NoNAT is less secure than NAT therefore we recommend that you order a firewall to go with your ADSL connection.
What if I want to continue to host with my current ISP, but have ADSL through Icomdsl?
ADSL is basically a connection to the Internet. If you want to send and receive email, FTP etc. through your current ISP using ADSL with Icomdsl, then this is down to the discretion of your current ISP.
If you want to send mail through another ISP using the Icomdsl connection then the other ISP will have to allow you through their servers. Also other operations may be effected i.e. FTP. The way to resolve this would be to contact your current ISP and provide them with your Icom IP address or IP addresses (ie your ADSL IP address).
If you have a No-NAT ADSL connection it is then possible to get your current ISP to modify the DNS entries for your domain to direct all your email to one of your Static IP addresses. This is know as an SMTP mail forwarding and would only be valid if you had a mail server connected to your network on one of the Static IP addresses.
What is RADSL?
This stands for Rate Adaptive DSL. The USB version of ADSL allows for Rate Adaption. This basically means that the USB version of ADSL is available to customers up to 5.5km from their local BT exchange. The Ethernet versions are not Rate Adaptive, therefore they are currently only available up to 3.5km from the exchange. Customers that order RADSL and fall between the 3.5km and 5.5km distance may find that the speed of the ADSL is not as fast as it would be if they were under 3.5km from the exchange. With RADSL, your modem will try to connect at the best speed it can up to the subscribed speed.
How does ADSL compare with ISDN and leased lines?
Both ADSL and leased lines are "always-on" connections therefore you will be charged a flat rate for a permanent connection. ISDN is charged at a fixed rental fee and variable charges for the time spent on-line. If you require only occasional connectivity then ISDN is likely to be adequate for your needs. If you require greater speed and to be permanently connected at a fixed cost, then ADSL or a leased line is likely to be more suitable.
ADSL is a contended service, which means that at busy times the speed will be less than the maximum available performance. It will not be until the network is fully utilised that the effect of full contention will be realised. The USB version has contention of 50:1, the Ethernet contention is 20:1.
If you require the security of guaranteed bandwidth then you should consider a leased line.
Icomweb are able to offer you both ADSL and Leased line connectivity.
What is the minimum contract term?
You are required to keep your ADSL line for a minimum of one year from the installation date.
Can I upgrade / downgrade my ADSL?
You cannot upgrade from the USB ADSL to the Ethernet ADSL. You would need to place a new order for the Ethernet version and continue to pay for the USB version until such time that the minimum term has finished.
If you have one of the Ethernet products you can upgrade and downgrade, however this is chargeable. Please ask for more details.
If I have my line cut off for whatever reason, can I still use ADSL?
No you cannot and we may have to charge you to reconnect the ADSL.
Can I move my ADSL connection if I take the existing number with me when I move address?
No, ADSL is based on the physical line into your premises. Therefore if you move premises you will have to have to order a new ADSL installation for the new premises and commence on a new minimum term contract as if you were having ADSL for the first time.
Will the ADSL service affect my normal phone service if it develops any faults and to whom do I report faults?
No. ADSL service faults will not affect your normal phone service. If you experience problems with:
The Phone Line (voice service) - Contact BT
The ADSL Service (data service) - Contact Icom
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