I am thinking about getting a DSL internet service for home. I was called last night by an Ameritech representitive who proceeded to tell me about the deal that was going on with them. With a one year contract, which I am totally comfortable with, you receive DSL service for $39.95 per month. Free installation, free hardware (ADSL modem, PCI card, splitter) and free on-site setup if needed.

For those of you who have DSL lines out there, do you like them? Do you love them? Did you notice a big difference in speed once you went from regular internet access to DSL? Anyone have any good/bad stories about Ameritech's DSL/Internet services?

How about phone lines? Is there an additional monthly charge for running the DSL phone line into your house or is the data shared (data for the computer and regular phone calls, that is) between one phone line via the splitter mentioned above?

Thanks in advance. Yeah, it would be easier to call Ameritech and ask them these questions but I wouldn't have an excuse to talk with you all this afternoon! Well... they're closed now, too. Hehe.

-- Anonymous, July 21, 2000

Answers

when i was living in canada i had ADSL. all i can say is that you should get it! if you've never had high speed access before then you'll not believe the difference compared with traditional modem access. it is literally dozens of times faster. you'll be able to download hundreds of megabytes of files in an hour, listen to streaming music or video with no buffering, stalling or general iritation you encounter with modems.

DSL runs over the normal phone line. so you can talk on the phone while your downloading files at the same time.

if you want fast then i suggest you get it. you wont be dissapointed (unless ameritech suck.... DSL should be excellent if done properly).

-- Anonymous, July 21, 2000

DSL totally rocks! It's faster in real use and much more secure than cable modems. In a lot of installations they don't limit the incoming data rate, just the outgoing rate. That's why the "A" in ADSL is asymetric. In my jump net/Southwestern Bell setup, I get over 1 megabyte/second incoming, faster than a T-1 line.

You have to have a voice phone line to have DSL as they share the wires, but in a proper installation your voice line is unaffected by the presense of DSL. Your line works as it always has, DSL doesn't tie up your voice line.

Your DSL line is always active, there is no "dialing in". Your computer is on the net whenever it is turned on.

Going from 56k modems to DSL is like going from a rickety bicycle to a BMW 750.

-- Anonymous, July 21, 2000

I work for an ISP in MN. Our customers get two charges- one from us for their internet service and one from Qwest/USWest for the physical DSL line. Qwest charges $29.95/month for a dedicated 256k line and we charge $25/month. We throw in the router for free with a year contract.

The difference from a regular dialup connection is amazing. I had to go back to a modem for a while because I moved and it was so painful.

Hope that helps you a little!

-- Anonymous, July 21, 2000

Thanks for all of the responses and for the excellent help! I don't know what I would do without you all. :o)

I finally received another call from the representitve of Ameritech and he answered some of the other questions that I had so it looks like this service will be installed sometime next week. The service does include the ADSL phone access, the ADSL service, 5 email addresses and 3 mb of space for a website for $39.95 a month. I could not be any happier! All of the on-site installation is included as I had originally thought that it would be and the modem and PCI card is included for free with a one-year contract.

I will never leave the house when this thing is installed. *Laughs* Thanks again for the help. It was very much appreciated!

-- Anonymous, July 21, 2000