This section of the site was specifically
created for users who are thinking about getting ADSL
broadband. Below, we have written a simple step-by-step
guide on what you need, how much it will cost and what
to do next.
Step 1
Before you decide to get ADSL, you need to make sure that
you can receive it. To do this, you can use our checker.
Enter your BT telephone number below to find out. You
cannot get ADSL if you do not have a BT line.
Step 2
If you can get ADSL, your next step it to choose
a service provider (ISP). There are over 100 providers
in the UK, and they all offer various packages, so you
shouldn't have a problem finding one for your needs.
ADSL comes in several speeds. These range from 512 Kbps
to 8 Mbps. Around 80% of people with ADSL now have at
least 1 Mbsp.. Some ISP's offer lower speeds, such as
256 Kbps, and some offer higher, up to 8 Mbps. If you
are new to ADSL, we recommend you get the 8 Mbps service.
Now, you will need to choose an ISP based on your needs.
To do this, use our ISP
comparison page. This will allow you to search for
an ISP based on your needs. If you are not sure what to
search for, just select the Download speed from the first
box. Remember, we recommend choosing 8 Mbps from the list.
Then click on Compare.
It will now list all ISP's that supply the 8 Mbps service,
sorted by price. Unfortunately, the rest is up to you.
The results page will list everything you need to know
about the service being offered. Generally, the more you
pay, the better the service tends to be.
Once you have chosen an ISP, proceed to Step 3. You need
additional equipment to be able to use ADSL. More about
this in Step 4.
Step
3
Once you have chosen an ISP, you are ready to sign up.
Simply visit the ISP's website via the link provided on
our ISP information page. On the ISP's website, there
will be a link to "Sign up to broadband". Click
this and follow the on-screen wizard to guide you through
the process.
Step 4
So, you have now signed up with your ISP! You
now need to decide what equipment you are going to use
to connect to ADSL.
There are 3 main choices.
- USB ADSL modem
- PCI ADSL modem
- ADSL modem/router
You could also use a Wireless ADSL modem/router, but
that is more suited towards experienced users.
A USB ADSL modem is a external device that requires
two cables to be connected to it. The first is the USB
cable. Plug one end into a USB port on your PC, and
the other end in to the modem. The second cable is the
ADSL telephone wire. Plug one end into your telephone
socket, and the other end in to the modem. If you want
to use the telephone at the same time as being online,
you will need another little device named a "filter",
also called a "splitter" or "microfilter".
Please see this
page for help.
A PCI ADSL modem is an internal device, which means
it has to be installed in your PC (yes, inside the case!).
If you are not confident about fitting new hardware
into your PC, We recommend you choose another type of
modem. Unlike the USB modem, this device only needs
one cable plugged into it - the ADSL telephone wire.
An ADSL modem/router is an external device that allows
you connect one or more computers together, so that
they can all use the Internet. This requires a more
experienced user than normal, but anyone willing to
learn can easily get this up and running. The router
itself will have many ports on it. A 4 port router for
example, will have five ports on it. 4 ports to connect
up to 4 computers with, and 1 to connect to the ADSL
telephone wire. If you only have one computer, you could
get a 1 port router, which simply connects to your PC,
and to your telephone line.
Please refer to the user manual you receive with your
equipment to find out more.
To sum it up, you will need:
A telephone line:
- Must be a BT line.
An ISP:
- See Step 2.
Either:
- a USB ADSL modem (can slow your PC down)
- a PCI ADSL modem (requires installation inside your
case)
- an ADSL modem/router (recommended)
And:
- One or more filters
Please refer to our setup
diagrams page to see "what to connect to where".
Step 5
You are now just one step away!
By this stage, you should have:
- Checked you can receive ADSL
- Chosen an ISP and signed up
- Chosen and purchased your ADSL equipment
Now, all that's left to do is install your hardware,
and wait for your telephone line to be activated. Your
ISP will send you a confirmation date a few days after
you have signed up. The reason it takes a few days is
due to BT having to perform tests on your telephone
line to double check you can receive ADSL. This is all
done from their offices, so they don't need to send
an engineer to your house.
Overall, it should take no longer than 10 days for your
ADSL to become activated.
* If you are using a USB modem, please use the CD-ROM
supplied to install it. It may ask you to enter some
connection details. If it does, please see here.
* If you are using a PCI modem, please use the CD-ROM
supplied to install it. Once installed, launch the Control
Panel utility for your modem (usually in the Start Menu
or Apple Menu) Enter the following connection
details if asked.
* If you are using an ADSL modem/router, you need to
enter the connection details in order to successfully
connect to ADSL. To do this, refer to your router manual/instruction
guide and find out the address of its Control Panel/Configuration
pages. This will be something like http://10.0.0.2 or
http://192.168.0.1. Once you are in the Control Panel,
find the WAN settings page, and enter these connection
details where needed.
Connection
details
Here are the settings that you may/may not need in order
to install/setup your equipment. These settings are exactly
the same no matter what ISP you signed up with.
Phone number: 0,38
VPI: 0
VCI: 38
Modulation: G.DMT or Auto
Encapsulation Mode: PPP over ATM or
VC-MUX
Authentication: CHAP or Auto
These settings are ISP dependant:
Username: This is the username your
ISP has supplied you with.
Password: This is the password your
ISP has supplied you with.
-------------------------
This guide was written with the intention to help explain
what is needed for ADSL. Please do not rely on this
guide being 100% accurate, as different types of ISP's
and different types of hardware setup's may not conform
to the above guide. If you have any questions regarding
this guide, please contact us.
DSL ZoneUK can not be held responsible
for any mistakes made, or for any decisions you choose
to make. This page is a guide only. |
