DSL VS. Cable Modems

• What is the difference between your DSL offerings?
  
  Premium Business DSL is "SDSL" and provides the SAME speed down and up stream (i.e. 256K download speed and 256K upload speed). At your location a separate, "new" line is installed. (SDSL is a higher quality connection with typically less concerns than ADSL.)

  Value Business DSL is "ADSL" and can provide DIFFERENT speeds up and down stream (i.e. 768K download speed and 128K upload speed) or the same speed if needed. At your location an existing phone line is shared.

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• What does GTI do?
  GTI/DSL is a regional ISP.  We coordinate with the Telco parties to get your DSL line up and running as quickly as possible.  All DSL traffic terminates directly on GTI's network.  We are not a "reseller"!  This makes it much easier for us to diagnose a problem and dynamically add or change services than if you were a customer with the phone company or a 2nd tier provider.

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• How long does installation take?
  Typically installation is completed within 10-30 days.  This depends if there are any issues with your current phone line.  GTI prides itself with providing our customers with the best support possible.
  

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• What does DSL mean?
  Digital Subscriber Line. DSL turns ordinary copper phone lines into digital lines for fast Internet access.
  

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• What is the difference between DSL and T1 service?
  DSL run over regular phone lines.  T1's are qualified data circuits with more extensive testing and monitoring (qualified loop).
  

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• Why should I get DSL Service?
  You will get uninterrupted, high speed Internet access that is always connected with no need to ever worry about a busy signal.
  

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• Do you offer Residential service?
  At this time no.  However we do offer Business service to home users - as long as the address qualifies.
  

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• How fast is DSL?
  DSL can obtain speeds as high as 1.5MB and above, but the speed your location can receive depends on the quality of the line and the distance to your local phone company's central office (CO) or Telco.
  

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• What is the difference between IDSL and ADSL and SDSL?
  ADSL is different from SDSL. For Symmetric DSL (SDSL), the upload and download speeds are the same. For Asymmetric DSL (ADSL), the upload and download speeds can be different. IDSL is available when you are more than 18,000 feet from the CO, and the speed is limited to 128K.  GTI offers SDSL and IDSL service, though the speeds that are available to you ultimately depend on your distance from the phone company's CO.  
  

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• Are there any additional phone company charges in addition to GTI charges?
  No. The charges listed are all inclusive!  However with our Value plan, you need to have an existing phone line installed.  Businesses usually use their fax line in this case.
  

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• Why is distance important with DSL?
  Your phone lines normally terminate at a Telco or central office, usually nearby. This distance, the length of your line between your location and the central office, is a very important factor in whether or not you can get DSL, and what speed you can get. DSL is distance sensitive the farther you are from the central office the more the DSL signal degenerates, and the slower your connection may be.
  

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• What are the distance limitations?
  

  GTI DSL Products	Maximum distance installed
  Premium DSL 128Kbps to 2.1MBps	Up to 18,000 feet*
  Value DSL 384Kbps to 768Kbps	Up to 17,000 feet*
  IDSL 128Kbps	18,000 - 19,000 feet*

  *The phone company determines the actual length of the loop.

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• Can I share my single DSL line with more than one computer?
  Yes! With GTI's Business DSL plans you can share your single DSL line with multiple computers.  Most GTI DSL plans include a 4 port Ethernet router.  This means you can connect up to 4 computers to the DSL router.  Every machine will need a 10 Base-T (RJ-45) Ethernet card.  If you wish to hook up more than 4 computers, you simply need to have a Ethernet hub or switch.

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• Why is a Static IP address important?
  All of our DSL services include a static IP address, unlike other DSL providers such as Verizon and Qwest. There are many advantages to a static IP address. Without one, your Internet address can change without notice. This can cause problems if you try to access your computer over the Internet remotely, access a corporate network, host your own email or web servers, etc.

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• Can I host a domain through my DSL connection?
  Yes. For a monthly fee, GTI will transfer a domain to our name servers so you can host a domain from a server running on your DSL line. (See DSL additional services)

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• System Requirements
  GTI DSL Access requires that each computer that you wish to have access to the DSL line has an 10 Base-T Ethernet Card, and one RJ45 Ethernet Cable.

  GTI DSL Access has the following minimum requirements:
  Pentium 166 or faster PC, Mac 68030 or better Windows NT workstation and server Unix workstation (Sun and HP) with a minimum of 32 MB RAM and 25 MB available on the hard disk Windows '95 or better Mac System 7.0 or better, Network Interface Card (NIC) installed. To complete your access service, you must be qualified to ensure your access line meets GTI  DSL Access specifications. For example, you must reside 2 to 3 miles from your Local Bell Central Office. Before you order GTI DSL, we will check your line to make certain access is available to you.

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  Questions? Call 800-496-4841 x105