|
|
|
:
privacy policy :
contact us :
site map :
home : |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Community Network DSL
Broadband (High-speed) Service |
|
|
|
*** Every person who accesses BEC Internet services must abide by the
terms and conditions in the Terms of Use Agreement.***
|
DSL Broadband
(High-speed) Service Features:
- What is DSL?
- How fast is DSL?
- Is DSL access available for
your line?
- What equipment is needed
for DSL?
- Does DSL affect telephone
service?
- Can your DSL service be used
anywhere?
- Can a DSL connection be used by more than one computer?
- I
already have an @becon.org address - do I have to change it?
- How long does it take
to activate DSL access?
- How does BEC bill DSL access?
- What is a gigabyte?
- How much does it cost?
- Payment and renewal
- I already have prepaid dialup service with BEC - what happens to that?
- What if
I
want to terminate DSL service?
- Do I need software for my
computer?
- How can I get more information or sign up?
- 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 you're 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.
- 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).
However, actual connection speed depends 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 at all if you live more than about 4.5 km from the
nearest appropriate Bell facilities.
The BEC cannot guarantee the transfer rate that any
person will be able
to achieve.
- 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 does not provide information if your local phone
service is not through Bell or if you have an unlisted number. In those
cases, please email Helpdesk
with specifics.
What equipment is needed for
DSL?
- a working 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
Quality DSL modems and line filters may be purchased from the BEC - click here for details.
Does DSL affect
telephone service?
No - 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.
Using a telephone extension that does not have a line filter will terminate your
Internet connection.
*** If you have an alarm system that uses your telephone line, check with
your system provider before ordering DSL service in order to ensure compatibility.
***If your unit or apartment uses your phone line for access control, check with your building
superintendent to ensure compatibility.
Can your DSL service be
used anywhere?
No - in contrast to dialup, DSL is set up only for a particular telephone number and street address.
Can a DSL
connection be used by more than one computer?
Yes - you can network multiple computers to use the connection. Home networking
is the responsibility of the client, not of the BEC Community Network.
I
already have an @becon.org address - do I have to change it?
No - you can continue to use the address you currently have.
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.
How does BEC bill DSL
access?
DSL fees have two aspects - access and data transfer.
- Access means connectivity - your ability to go online [$32.00 per month]
- Transfer (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). The access price includes one GB of
transfer; additional transfer is billed at $2.25 per GB or fraction thereof.
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 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 text messages before using 1 GB. Even long
text letters are small filesizes.
- 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 the BEC Community Network 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 radio uses about 15 - 20 MB per hour, depending on bitrate. 1 GB
would provide at least 50 continuous hours of listening.
- Streaming video can use up to 150 MB per hour.
DSL customers can check transfer
usage at any time. (Statistics are updated each time the modem is turned off.)
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,
your computer might do great deal of hidden data transfer.
MAKE SURE your computer is running updated antivirus software and
antiparasite software! For details, see antiparasite information and security information.
Important - if you run a wireless network, make sure your security is set as
high as possible! If your network is open, others can use it without your knowledge; they
could use your connection to download large volumes of data at your expense.
How much does it cost?
BEC offers a "pay as you go" package: you don't pay for large amounts of
data transfer that you don't use.
- Residential Monthly - $32.00 (including applicable taxes and up to 1
GB of transfer
- Other payment options: 6 months prepaid - $190.00; one year prepaid - $375.00
- Business monthly - $49.00 (including applicable taxes and up to 1 GB of
transfer)
- Other payment options: 6 months prepaid - $292.00; one year prepaid - $580.00
- Additional transfer is billed at $2.25 per GB or fraction
thereof.
- One-time startup fee of $15.00 for new accounts. The startup fee is waived for
those who already have service with the BEC Community Network.
The package includes:
- Unlimited Internet access
- up to 1 GB data transfer
- 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
- 10 hours per month dialup access
(Additional email addresses are available for $15.00 per address per year.)
Payment and renewal
- Fees are based on calendar months.
- The fee for the first service period is prorated to the end of that month.
- Payment is required for at least the first period and the subsequent month.
- All subsequent service periods are for calendar months.
Renewals:
- Renewal notices will not be 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 for each month are normally automatically processed using a credit card,
approximately ten days before expiry of service.
- In the absence of valid credit card information, payment must be received
at BEC offices at least ten days before the expiry date. (A series of postdated
cheques is 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.
- To ensure uninterrupted DSL service, if you are not using a credit card please
be sure to renew on time!
Payment for additional transfer
- Total monthly transfer in excess of 1 GB is billed at $2.25 per GB
or fraction
thereof.
- Additional transfer is calculated after month-end.
- Where transfer exceeds 1 GB:
- payment will be processed automatically using your credit card, or
- in the absence of a credit card, you will be billed via email
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.
What if I
want to terminate DSL service?
You may terminate DSL service with minimum 30 days notice to BEC.
If you switch to BEC's dialup Internet access service, a $10.00
downgrade fee applies.
Do I need software for my
computer?
If you are running Windows XP or Vista, or if your DSL modem is configured in router mode,
no additional software is necessary.
Configuration instructions for Windows are available
here.
If you are running Windows 2000, ME or 98, you may require special
software if the modem is not configured in router mode.
- If you purchase a DSL modem from BEC, we recommend that it be configured as a
router:
- no additional software is needed
- the router will act as a protective hardware firewall
- username and password are stored in the router; no need to
log in when connecting - just turn on the router
- it is possible to set up a home network for Internet
access.
- Modems purchased from the BEC can be preconfigured as routers at no additional
charge.
Software
can be obtained on CD from BEC offices at 3340 Schmon Parkway, Unit 2, Thorold.
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
|
|
|
| |
education
government
libraries
news/media