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1. What is DSL?
2. How fast is DSL?
3. Is DSL access available for your line?
4. What equipment is needed for DSL?
5. Does DSL affect telephone service or other services?
6. Can your DSL service be used anywhere?
7. Can a DSL connection be used by more than one computer?
8. I already have an @becon.org address - do I have to change it?
9. How long does it take to activate DSL access?
10. How does BEC bill DSL access?
11. What is a gigabyte?
12. How much does it cost?
13. Payment and renewal
14. I already have prepaid dialup service with BEC - what happens to that?
15. What if I want to terminate DSL service?
16. Do I need software for my computer?
17. How can I get more information or sign up?

1. What is DSL?
   
   DSL ("digital subscriber line") is a method of broadband (high-speed) Internet access that uses a regular telephone line. Data transfer is much faster than over a dialup modem, and you can use the telephone while online.
   In contrast to cable Internet access, a DSL line is used only by you - it is not shared with neighbours.
   Because most people have telephone jacks in various rooms, and telephone cables are easy to run, setting up DSL allows for flexibility and convenience.



2. How fast is DSL?
   
   Data transfer rates are up to 5 Mbit/second, compared to up to 56KBps for dialup modems (up to 90 times faster than dialup).
   
   Actual rates depend on several factors and cannot be predicted before DSL service is set up. Line quality and distance from the telephone company's central office are important. DSL service is not available if the length of the phone line from your residence to the nearest appropriate Bell facility is more than about 4.5 km.
   The BEC cannot guarantee the transfer rate that any person will be able to achieve.



3. Is DSL available for your line?

To find out whether DSL is available for your number, enter it here, without dashes or spaces, e.g. 9051234567, and click the "Submit Query" button.


If service is not available, please check back periodically or ask Helpdesk to be placed on a list that we check regularly.

This lookup may not be valid if your local phone service is not with Bell or if you have an unlisted number. In those cases, please email Helpdesk with your telephone number and street address.



4. What equipment is needed for DSL?


• an active telephone line
• a functional Ethernet (network) port in your computer (not sure if you have a network port?)
• a DSL modem
• a line filter for each telephone extension that you want to use when online

DSL modems, modems with integrated wireless capability, and line filters may be purchased from the BEC - click here for details.



5. Does DSL affect telephone service or other services?

DSL Internet service has no effect on your telephone service or billing.
It doesn't matter who provides your local or long-distance telephone service.
You may use the telephone and be online at the same time.
If you have satellite TV with a telephone line that connects to your receiver for updates, this line will need a filter.
(Using a telephone extension without a line filter would terminate your Internet connection.)

*** If you have a security system that uses your telephone line, check with your system provider before ordering DSL service in order to ensure compatibility.
***If you live in a unit or apartment where your phone line is used for access control, check with your building superintendent to ensure compatibility.



6. Can your DSL service be used anywhere?
   
   No - in contrast to dialup, DSL works only for a particular telephone number and street address.



7. Can a DSL connection be used by more than one computer?
   
   Yes - you can network multiple computers to use the connection. Home networking has many variations and is your responsibility.
   The BEC sells DSL modems and DSL modems with integrated wireless, but not wireless routers, switches, or Ethernet cables.



8. I already have an @becon.org address - do I have to change it?
   
   No - you can continue to use the address you currently have.



9. How long does it take to activate DSL access?
   
   Under normal circumstances, allow five business days from the time you request service until DSL is activated.



10. How does BEC bill DSL access?
    
    DSL fees have two components - access and data transfer.
    • Access means connectivity - your ability to go online
    • Transfer (usage, or traffic) refers to data that is:
      • downloaded to your computer (for example, email, Web pages, files, software updates) and
      • uploaded from your computer (e.g. email and files that you send out); usually much less.
      Transfer is measured in gigabytes (GB).
      BEC offers packages that include different amounts of data transfer (see the price list).
    
    
    
11. What is a gigabyte?

Most people who use email and instant messaging, view Web pages, and do routine software updates would use less than 1 GB of data transfer per month. Downloading movies or major software packages or watching many videos dramatically increases data transfer.


• A gigabyte (GB) is a measure of quantity of data.
• One GB is 1024 megabytes (MB); one MB is 1024 kilobytes (KB).
• Simple text uses very little space. A typical plain-text email message is about 5 KB, so you could send half a million plain-text messages before using 1 GB.
• Attachments in email messages are far larger than the text itself. A large, high-resolution photo could be 2 or 3 MB. You could send/receive more than 3,000 photos of that size per GB. However, most photo attachments are much smaller.
• The Home Page of BEC Internet Services is about 25 KB. One GB would allow for the download of about forty thousand similar-sized, different Web pages. If you can surf for a couple hundred hours, you may download about a GB.
• Chat, such as MSN, uses very little bandwidth.
• Streaming audio uses about 15 - 20 MB per hour, depending on bitrate. 1 GB would provide at least 50 hours of listening.
• Streaming video can use up to 150 MB per hour.
• A high-def feature movie can easily exceed one GB


DSL customers can check transfer usage at any time. (Statistics are updated each time the modem is turned off.)


WARNINGS:


Beware! If your computer is infected by parasites or certain types of viruses, they may use your connection to send out huge volumes of data without your knowledge, and YOU pay.
If you have peer-to-peer software installed for filesharing, or skype or bittorrent software, your computer might do great deal of hidden data transfer.
Be careful when allowing any software to be installed. For example, see this article about CNN's deflection of costs to Internet users.

Practice safe computing.
MAKE SURE your computer is running updated antivirus software and antiparasite software , and that the operating system is regularly updated!

Important - if you run a wireless home network, make sure your security is set as high as possible! If your network is unprotected, others can use it without your knowledge to transfer large volumes of data at your expense.



12. How much does it cost?

See prices here.

(There is a one-time startup fee of $15.00 for new accounts. The startup fee is waived for those who already have BEC Internet Service.)

Packages include:
• Unlimited Internet access
• An email address
• Antivirus scanning of email at the mailserver
• Spam control
• Webmail - check your email from anywhere in the world
• 75 MB of server disk space
• Free Web space for a personal home page
• Personal helpdesk assistance

(Additional email addresses are available for $15.00 per address per year.)



13. Payment and renewal
    
    
    • Fees are based on calendar months.
    • The fee for the first service period is prorated to the end of that month.
    • At startup, prepayment is required for at least the first period and the subsequent month.
    • All subsequent service periods are for calendar months.
    
    Renewals:
    
    • Renewal notices are not sent for monthly renewal payments.
    • It is up to you to ensure either that:
      • a valid credit card number is on file for automatic renewal, or
      • alternate forms of payment are made on time.
    • Renewals are normally automatically processed after the 15th of the previous month.
    • In the absence of valid credit card information, payment must be received at BEC offices at least ten days before the expiry date. (Postdated cheques are acceptable.)
    
    
    Failure to renew:
    
    • If renewal payment has not been received by one week before expiry, service will expire at the end of the month. It may not be possible to "rescue" an account less than five days before expiry.
    • Expiry of DSL service may require resubmitting a request for service. This generally means a minimum five-day waiting period.
    • To ensure uninterrupted DSL service, if you are not using a credit card please be sure to renew on time!
    
    
    Payment for additional transfer
    
    • Data transfer usage in excess of the limits of your package is billed at stated rates, and is calculated after month-end.
    • In the event of extra transfer billing:
      • payment will be processed automatically using your credit card, or
      • in the absence of a credit card, you will be invoiced via email
    
    
    
14. I already have prepaid dialup service with BEC - what happens to that?

The value of your remaining dialup service period (prorated) will be credited in full.



15. What if I want to terminate DSL service?
    
    You may terminate DSL service with minimum 30 days notice to BEC.
    If you downgrade to BEC's dialup or email-only service, a $10.00 fee applies.



16. Do I need software for my computer?
    
    If you are running Windows XP or Vista or Mac OSX, or if your DSL modem is configured in router mode, no additional software is necessary.
    Configuration instructions are available here.
    
    
    
17. How can I get more information or sign up?


• Call 905-684-7200 ext. 1310, or email the Helpdesk at helpdesk@becon.org
• Visit or mail the BEC office at 3340 Schmon Parkway, Unit 2, Thorold, Ontario L2V 4Y6