Digital Subscriber Line or DSL is a technology to bring high speed Internet or high-speed data services to homes and businesses over already existing copper telephone lines. Assuming your home or business is close enough to a telephone company central office that offers DSL service you may be able to receive data at rates up to 1.5 Mbps (Megabits per second) depending on the telephone company you are serviced from. Normal QWest DSL speed rates are 640Kbps (Kilobit per second) downstream (to your computer) and 256 Kbps upstream (out from your computer.) A DSL line carries both data and voice signals seamlessly and simultaneously with the data part of the line continuously connected.

A typical DSL setup requires a few specialized components: a DSL modem, an Ethernet Card, and Telephone filters. A standard Ethernet Card typically used to connect a computer to a LAN (Local Area Network) is installed into your computer. This card is used to connect your computer to the DSL modem. The recommended and most normally DSL modem used is a Cisco 678 or 675, but most other DSL modems will work. This modem is connected to your phone line and separates out the digital signal and sends it to your computer. DSL line filters are then placed on all your telephone sets, these are used to separate out the voice signal and allow you to continue to use your voice phone lines as usual.

Qwest is now shipping a series of Action Tech DSL modems. These modems have a 5 port Ethernet hub built in to the unit built behind a NAT firewall and is also able to operate as a wireless 802.11 base station with the optional expansion card. This allows you to connect more computers to the DSL with out having to purchase a DSL hub or wireless base station separately. This will require you to purchase additional Ethernet cards and cable or wireless receiver cards separately for each computer you plan to connect.

DSL service typically comes in 3 basic service packages: Residential (1-2 computers), Small LAN (up to 5 computers), and large LAN (more then 5 computers). DSL service is provided at speeds of 256Kbps/256Kbps or 640Kbps/256Kbps. Service from Qwest comes either as select (disconnects once an hour) or deluxe (always on).

All orders are placed by phone or by written order form by PCI. PCI will qualify your phone line (see if service is available at your location) and place the order with QWest for you. QWest will then condition your phone line (remove components from the copper line that block DSL service), send a DSL modem package to you, and connect your phone line to the DSL network. This process typically takes 2-3 weeks but is dependent on the phone company. Setup of the customer equipment is the responsibility of the customer and can be provided by PCI at an additional cost. Normally if your computer already has an Ethernet card installed this installation is fairly simple and a PCI technician can walk you through the setup over the phone.

DSL service and speed configurations are subject to availability. Due to continuing upgrades of DSL service by the phone companies additional packages may become available. For more information or for a copy of our full disclosure statement please contact your sales agent.