Aeneas Internet and Telephone

About ADSL

Service Description
Aeneas Communications Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) service provides high-speed network connectivity over a basic local exchange service line.

ADSL is a new technology that allows the use of one existing twisted-pair local loop to provide high bandwidth data and voice services simultaneously.

ADSL supplies three separate frequency channels over the same phone line. Phone conversations are carried on one channel, data from a Network Service Provider to the end-user is transferred downstream on a second channel, and the third channel carries data upstream from the end-user to the Network Service Provider.

Benefits
Of course, the primary benefit of Aeneas ADSL is the pure speed it offers. There is simply no comparison between traditional dial-up modems and the access you get with ADSL. Here's an indication of how fast Aeneas ADSL is:

ADSL will give you access to the Web at speeds 30 to 100 times faster than today's fastest dial-up modems. Using ADSL, you could download the entire Encyclopedia Britannica in 31 minutes. Using a standard 28.8 modem, downloading the same information would take 27 hours. Downloading a 5 Mb file in less than 30 seconds versus 23 minutes with a 28.8 modem.

Aeneas ADSL also provides a level of convenience and security unavailable through other types of access.

Because ADSL has three separate channels, you can hold a telephone conversation and surf the web at the same time - over a single line.

ADSL maintains a continuous connection so it eliminates the need to dial-up and connect with the Internet or the office. With ADSL, connecting to the Internet is as simple and convenient as turning on your TV.

Finally, because ADSL is provisioned as a point-to-point service, it provides enhanced security over shared networks (like cable modems). The only way to eavesdrop on a point-to-point is to physically tap the line.

Design
Aeneas ADSL is composed of three channels - one for voice, one for data transfer FROM the end-user, and one for data transfer TO the end-user.

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line is called an asymmetric service because the connection for sending data from the user to the Internet Service Provider is of a much lower bandwidth than the connection from the hookup down to the user.

This uneven nature makes the most efficient use of bandwidth in most applications. With ADSL, customers send information requests (which typically require little bandwidth) over the smaller "channel" and receive downloads (which typically require much more bandwidth) over the "larger" channel.

Aeneas ADSL is provisioned over the traditional lines for the end-users. In order to work, the local loop (customer side DSLAM) must be provisioned over copper facilities and the copper loop must be within 18,000 feet of the serving Central Office.

End-users will be "directly connected" only to the Network Service Provider ordering the ADSL service from Aeneas. This connection is made over an ATM Private Virtual Connection (PVC). ADSL is provided with one PVC per end-user.

Bandwidth Characteristics
Up to 1.5 Mbps - Downstream
Up to 256 Kbps - Upstream

Availability
Aeneas ADSL is currently available in selected areas.