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Broadband DSL (Digital Subscriber Loop) Internet Access connectivity is enabled over copper analogue circuits. While you are using the line for your voice calls, it transmits and receives your data (via signalling) between your premises and your ISP's, whose gateway servers are directly connected to the Internet.

The Broadband DSL services we provide can be hosted by either Easynet, COLT, Demon/Thus, Fastnet or BT Openworld.

Being able to deliver DSL services via any one of these companies allows us to subscribe you to the correct type of DSL service for your requirements.

If you click on one of the logos below, you can check to see the type of DSL (Digital Subscriber Loop) services that can be hosted from your local BT telephone exchange.

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There are currently three different types of Broadband DSL services available :-

 - ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Service Loop). The lines are described as asymmetric because most of the available bandwidth is used to provide fast ‘downstream’ speeds from the internet to the end-user whilst the remainder is used for ‘upstream’ data back to the Service Provider. The service is permanently connected or ‘always-on’ and is usually charged at a flat rate regardless of time online or data used.

 - SDSL (Symmetric Digital Service Loop). Needs just one twisted pair line carrying 2.048 Mbps, whereas some other earlier DSL standards needed two, or even three pairs. It is called symmetric because the data rate is the same in both directions.

 - SHDSL (Symmetric High Bit-Rate Digital Subscriber Loop). Defined by the ITU global standard G991.2, it is currently one of the latest generation additions to the DSL technology family. The benefit of G.SHDSL is not only that it supports symmetrical connections at speeds up to 2.3 Mbps, it also operates over a single copper pair, whereas previous generations were limited to slower speeds and multiple pair connections. With this in mind, SHDSL is expected to supercede older generation technologies, such as HDSL, SDSL and IDSL for the provision of high-speed symmetric data services over copper, such as T1/E1 class leased circuits.

Broadband DSL services provide the ideal solution between the relatively high costs of fixed leased lines and limited bandwidth of ISDN. The main benefits of using Broadband DSL services are :-

 - Fixed-rate charges. Connection charges are no longer linked to the call duration. A user can remain online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the same cost as an infrequent user.

 - Guaranteed bandwidth in both directions. It is therefore suitable for any application that is expected to deliver consistent high-speed performance, e.g. an Internet web site. Most data however, is asymmetrical in nature, or in other words, far more data flows towards the end-user than back towards the Internet. This ‘bursty’ type of connectivity is ideally suited to the asymmetric nature of ADSL.

Conversely, ISDN incurs both a fixed rental and a usage charge. ISDN is also limited to a maximum speed of 128 Kbps. At this speed you are utilising both ISDN channels and paying for two ISDN calls. If you require only occasional connectivity and 128 Kbps is sufficient, then ISDN is probably adequate for your needs. However, if you need to be permanently connected, want greater speed and also a predictable fixed cost, then ADSL or fixed leased lines should be considered.