DSL FAQ

1. Why DSL?
2. What is DSL?
3. What's the difference between DSL and Dialup?
4. How much does DSL cost?
5. Do I have to purchase additional equipment?
6. How does the Router hook up to my computer?
7. What computer requirements must I have?
8. How do you install the equipment?
9. How do I know if I can get DSL?
10. How long will it take to get everything up and going with DSL?
11. What happens if I get DSL and I'm not satisfied?
12. I'm with a different ISP and I want to switch to OIP ... how do I do that?
13. I want to switch to DSL with OIP but I want to keep my AOL account. How do I do this?
14. How do I signup for DSL?
15. How do I pay for DSL?
16. I have a phone system. How does DSL connect through that?

1. Why DSL?[ Top ]

DSL is at least five time faster than dialup, starting at 256K upload and download speed. DSL is appropriate for anyone who uses the Internet for business, gaming, frequent file downloads or downloading of pictures or graphics (realtors, newspapers, etc.)

2. What is DSL?[ Top ]

DSL is a permanent connection between your home and the Qwest Central Office, using an existing phone line (such as your home phone line or your fax line). From there, Qwest routes the connection to an ISP like OIP, who then provides Internet services. DSL shares the phone line, and is independent of your phone service. In fact, you can surf the Internet and talk on the phone at the same time. (Note: phones connected to the DSL line must be "filtered", using special filters supplied by Qwest).

3. What's the difference between DSL and Dialup?[ Top ]

Speed isn't the only difference. DSL and Dialup are different technologies. DSL is "always on", which means that your Internet connection is available at all times without having to wait for a connection, whereas Dialup connections must establish a connection between modems before communication can begin. DSL line quality is consistent, whereas Dialup line quality is dependent upon many variables and can even be affected by weather. DSL uses an existing Qwest phone line (like your home or fax line), whereas many Internet users have a separate, dedicated phone line for Internet usage.

4. How much does DSL cost?[ Top ]

Qwest charges begin at $21.95 per month for DSL (in addition to the line charge for your existing phone line) and OIP charges begin at $25 per month. If you can eliminate a dedicated phone line and already pay for Dialup service, the cost is almost the same as Dialup.

5. Do I have to purchase additional equipment?[ Top ]

DSL requires a "router" to connect to your computer to the phone line and "filters" on all phones connected to the DSL line. The "router" can be rented from Qwest or you can purchase a DSL router/hub from any office supply or electronics store. Neither Qwest nor OIP provides support for 3rd party routers. Qwest routers can be purchased, although most people simply rent them for $5 per month.

6. How does the Router hook up to my computer?[ Top ]

Qwest supplies three different routers. OIP recommends and supports the Actiontec 1520 Gateway (a combination DSL router/network hub), which connects to your computer using an Ethernet card (a network card). The Actiontec can be used on the IBM PC/compatibles AND McIntosh computers. The Actiontec 1520 is shipped with an Ethernet card which you can install in your PC if it doesn't already have one. One of the other routers supplied by Qwest hooks up to the USB port, and the third one is installed internally (IBM PC only).

You can keep an optional Dialup line connected to your computer, but be sure to change your Dialup settings to "Never Dial" (My Computer >> Control Panel >> Internet Options >> Connections)

7. What computer requirements must I have.[ Top ]

Specific computer requirements are available at http://www.qwest.com/dsl. In general, you should have a Intel Pentium 200 PC or greater, Windows 95 or greater (or Unix/Linux), or a Mac running OS 8.5 or
greater.

8. How do you install the equipment?[ Top ]

You can install the equipment yourself, Qwest will send a service technician to your home or place of business for a fee (generally $149), or OIP can install it for you for a fee (generally $99). Both Qwest and OIP provide telephone suppport for initial installs.

9. How do I know if I can get DSL?[ Top ]

First, you must be an existing Qwest customer. If you are not an existing Qwest customer, contact a Qwest residential or business support representative for details. Otherwise, call OIP at (541) 942-7088 or Toll Free at (877) 689-9298 and we will check your phone line(s) for you. You can also access the Qwest order form and line tool at https://orderdsl.qwest.com/order/welcome.asp - be sure to specify OIP/DATAWORKS as your ISP when ordering.

10. How long will it take to get everything up and going with DSL?[ Top ]

If you are an existing Qwest customer, DSL will normally be effective from 7 to 10 days after you place the order. If you are NOT an existing Qwest customer, control of your phone line must first be
changed from your existing provider to Qwest (from 6 to 8 weeks).

11. What happens if I get DSL and I'm not satisfied?[ Top ]

OIP has a satisfaction guarantee - you can cancel OIP as your DSL Internet provider within 15 days and owe nothing. Qwest does not offer this type of guarantee, and you may be on the hook (so to speak) for modem rental and setup fees. Check http://www.qwest.com/dsl or contact a Qwest service representative for details.

12. I'm with a different ISP and I want to switch to OIP ... how do I do that?[ Top ]

If you have Dialup service with another ISP, you can switch to OIP DSL or Dialup without any problem. Check with your existing ISP to see what type of contract you have, if any. If you have DSL with another ISP, contact a Qwest service representative for information.

13. I want to switch to DSL with OIP but I want to keep my AOL account. How do I do this?[ Top ]

Contact AOL to change your AOL membership to a non-dialup account. You can access your AOL email and other AOL services directly from the Internet using your OIP/DSL connection.

14. How do I signup for DSL?[ Top ]

Call OIP and we can do it for you, or access the Qwest website for their order tool: Qwest Order Tool. You can also order DSL by calling your Qwest account representative and specifying OIP/DATAWORKS as your ISP.

15. How do I pay for DSL?[ Top ]

The Qwest part of your DSL cost is billed to your phone bill. Payment to OIP is by credit or debit card (VISA or Mastercard for residential services) or by monthly billing (business services). Residential customers can be billed monthly, but must leave a $50 deposit and pay a $2 billing service fee.

16. I have a phone system. How does DSL connect through that?[ Top ]

If the DSL phone line needs to be routed through a phone system, you must split and filter the line BEFORE it goes to the phone system. This looks like this:

Notice that Line 3 is split BEFORE the filter, and that the filtered line then continues to the phone system. If you connect the filter ahead of the DSL Router, DSL will not work. If you connect an unfiltered DSL phone line to your phone system, the phones won't work.