DSL and T1
It is likely that in the upcoming years, people will see much cheaper prices
for the DSL (digital subscriber line) method of Internet access. DSL is
a dedicated connection that surfs at speeds somewhere between that of a
cable modem and a T-1 line and
is always going. Using DSL usually involves getting a DSL line and a router
installed at your office. You may want to know why you should consider DSL.
To start, it is flexible, and you can select from any number of speeds to
suit your needs. In addition, unlike a cable modem, you do not need to share
the bandwidth with anyone else, so your speed is guaranteed to remain constant.
If the Web is your stomping ground for part of each day, you will benefit
from the speed of a dedicated connection. The wider the bandwidth is, the
faster and more expensive the connection will be. Right now in my area,
businesses
are paying between $250 - $400 per month for DSL service from 0.75 to 1.5Mbps.
With the new ruling, it is predicted that starting in the next six to nine
months, both installation costs and monthly fees will be cut by about twenty
percent starting in the next six to nine months for even better bargains.
If you are considering DSL for your office, here are a few points to consider.
First, you may not be able to get DSL even if you want it. In some cases,
DSL may not be available at all due to geographic limitations. Unlike a
regular phone line, not all of its offices will be equipped to handle this
type of telecom connection.
When shopping service
providers, pay attention to their ability to deliver quality customer service.
Given that there are currently only 15 major DSL providers nationwide, with
only from one to four serving any given area, there will likely be an increase
in the number of DSL suppliers with the recent FCC ruling.
However, this can create confusion as to who will be providing the service
and responding to problems is not always clear. It is likely that customer
service issues can erupt into a blame game if problems come up and your
provider does not actually own the line. While working with a reseller will
not affect the quality of the connection, customer service woes could potentially
sour your DSL experience. For this reason, service-level agreements (SLA)
that guarantee the amount of uptime you can expect should be an important
part of your negotiation.
Finally, there are security issues with DSL. The nature of the connection
technology makes it particular vulnerable to outsiders breaking into your
system. Since you will be permanently connected to the Internet, whether
you choose DSL or any other form of dedicated Internet access, it is a good
idea to invest in a firewall that shuts out hackers from accessing your
computers. That way, you will ensure surfing is a one-way experience.
Seek pricing flexibility. Since DSL pricing will probably drop, avoid contracts
that lock you into a fixed price
for a period of longer than a year. Been there, done that. If you are installing
DSL, make sure it has been done before at that location.
