Frequently Asked Questions
What is DSL?
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is an always-on, high-speed Internet connection that resides on your phone line. The same wiring carries both phone and data! How is this possible? DSL technology works on the portion of your phone line that is not needed to transmit voice calls. In order to keep Internet traffic from interfering with your voice and fax calls, you will need to install a small device called a filter on all of your telephone devices (phones, fax machines, caller id unit, digital cable, etc.) that share the same line with your high-speed Internet connection.
Key advantages to DSL:
- Speed. DSL is several times faster than a modem connection. A complex web page that could take up to a minute to display with a 56K modem can appear in just seconds with high-speed access.
- Always on. With this type of connection, your modem does not have to dial-up in order to connect to the Internet, no more squealing modems or busy signals. Your DSL modem is always-on, just click your browser icon on your desktop and you are instantly ready to surf the Internet and send or receive email.
- Canby Telcom DSL is billed monthly for a fixed price, and for unlimited usage. Whether you use it for email once a day or you spend long hours gaming, your bill will always be the same.
- Economical. For small businesses, high-speed Internet access is also a great way to save money compared to pay-per-minute ISDN data or expensive T1 lines.
Do I still need an ISP with DSL?
Yes. The ISP provides your gateway to the Internet. It provides the service that lets you browse web pages, use email, download files and more on the Internet. Your phone company supplies your DSL line. Canby Telcom gives you both your high-speed line and Internet service from the same company, all for one low monthly price!
DSL vs. Cable Modem
Canby Telcom offers you a state-of-art, high-speed DSL Internet connection from a company you can trust. High-speed Internet is installed and maintained by well-trained technicians from Canby Telcom, a company that has served the area for 100 years.
Cable modem service is another type of high-speed Internet connection. Cable modem service is a shared technology much like a local area network. The cable system connects up to hundreds of homes in the neighborhood into a large network. Those homes share the available bandwidth -- the more cable modem users on that network, the slower upload and download speeds each user will experience. With DSL the line and your bandwidth are not shared.
Another disadvantage to a shared network is security. With everyone in your neighborhood sharing the same pipe to the Internet, you are more susceptible to hackers when you subscribe to cable modem service.
DSL is a dedicated service. Your Canby Telcom line connects directly to our network via your phone line providing you consistent speeds and increased security from hackers.
Why is distance important with DSL?
The length of the line between your house or business and the Central Office, or the nearest fiber optic cable, is and important factor in the rate of your connection. And sometimes whether or not you can get this type of Internet access. Bandwidth rates vary from 1.5M to 6M service in most of Canby and we are continually working to upgrade the highest possible rate.
Can I get Canby Telcom's DSL at my house or business?
DSL is available in Canby Telcom's local telephone Service Area. Specifically, DSL is available to approximately 92% of homes and businesses in Canby. For information on availability at a specific address, please contact Canby Telcom's Customer Care Center at 503-266-8111.
Will I get charged more for using DSL often?
No. Canby Telcom DSL includes unmetered access to the Internet.
How much does DSL cost?
Click here to see Canby Telcom's packages and pricing.
How long does it take from order to install to get DSL hooked up?
3-5 business days.
Does anyone have to visit my house to activate DSL?
Yes. Canby Telcom can use the existing phone line and convert it to a high-speed DSL line. Canby Telcom technicians will have to condition the line for DSL. The work takes place outside of your home or business, so you do not need to be present for the work to be done.
Will my old PC be fast enough for DSL?
Yes. Although if you start to use DSL to view video-on-demand or other memory and processor hungry functions you may decide your PC is too slow. Canby Telcom's minimum system requirements are HERE. A computer at the minimum will work for basic web browsing and email but may not be adequate for other functions.
Will I have to pay to upgrade my DSL modem every 6 months?
No. Your modem is provided by Canby Telcom, and if we upgrade our equipment we will simply provide you a new upgraded modem.
Can I FAX over DSL?
You can still send and receive faxes over your regular telephone line. Fax transmissions use the portion of your line that carries voice calls, not the portion that is used for data. Treat your fax just like a regular voice phone.
Can I use a Laptop with DSL?
You can use a laptop with DSL almost as easily as a desktop. If your laptop already has a Ethernet port just plug it in. If your laptop does not have an Ethernet port you can buy a PCMCIA card or USB adapter supporting 10/100 Ethernet.
Can I share my single DSL line between more than one computer?
Yes. There are several options for "sharing" a high-speed connection between several computers. You can utilize a hub or an Ethernet Switch and hook up multiple computers to your DSL connection. However, this setup will require an extra $5.00 fee per month per additional computer that you hook to the hub or switch. Another option is to purchase a Cable/high-speed router. This will allow you to hook as many computers up to your high-speed connection with no additional monthly fee. Routers can be purchased at most electronic stores.
I live in an apartment, not a house. Can I get DSL?
If your phone line supports it, yes. Whether you can get DSL that needs to be run over a separate copper pair depends on the apartment building landlord or manager allowing a new copper pair to be installed into your apartment.
What type of security does DSL provide?
While DSL provides better local security than shared systems like cable modem it does not protect from software threats. Canby Telecom does provide free virus/spam filtering for web-ster email accounts. It is up to the end user to supply security such as firewalls and virus scanner.
For more information on Internet security, visit our Internet support website, support.web-ster.com or search the Internet for "personal firewall."
If I am on the net 24hrs a day, will I get hacked?
Not if you keep your computer software up to date, utilize a personal firewall and anti-virus software.
Should I turn off my DSL modem when I am not using it?
No. There are no real advantages to turning off your DSL modem. It is an always on connection, and you are not billed for usage so there is no reason to turn it off.
Is my DSL line private, or can my hacker neighbor listen in?
Unlike cable modems, DSL is a not a shared medium, which means your Internet traffic goes all the way to our Central Office directly and not through your neighborhood.