| 1. |
Does my phone line qualify? | Back to Top |
| A Qwest customer support representative can give you an immediate line check to see if your phone line qualifies for Qwest DSL.
Prior to order and installation, phone lines must be tested for quality and distance from the Qwest Central Office. This test is called Loop Qualification (phone companies refer to "the phone line" as "the subscriber loop".) |
| 2. |
How fast is it... really? | Back to Top |
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With your DSL connection you can connect to the NCPLUS service and the Internet at speeds up to 50 times faster than a 28.8 Kbps connection. Actual connection speeds will vary depending upon your geographic location and your distance from your phone company's central office.
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| 3. |
What happens when I order the NCPLUS High Speed DSL service? | Back to Top |
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Placing your NCPLUS High Speed DSL order is easy, and NCPLUS handles everything for you.
Once we have received your NCPLUS High Speed DSL order, we will place an order to activate your DSL line with your local phone company. Your local phone company will then assign a date upon which your DSL service will become active. Your DSL service can normally be established within ten days from the day your order is placed with the phone company. However, members in areas where DSL is in high demand may need an additional 5 days to activate your DSL service.
We will then send you an e-mail confirming the date that your DSL service will be available.
On the day that your DSL service becomes available, or any day thereafter, you can hook up your DSL modem and begin using your DSL.
Should you require assistance hooking up your DSL modem, we will help you every step of the way. You can contact a DSL Technical Representative at 206.337.0202 or toll free: 800.259.4034 ET, seven days a week, and they will be sure to help you or get you the help you need.
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| 4. |
Do I need to be an NCPLUS member to obtain DSL service from NCPLUS? | Back to Top |
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Yes. The NCPLUS High Speed DSL service is available only to qualified NCPLUS members. You can use the online sign-up to become an NCPLUS member. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "Order New Qwest DSL
Service".
You can also call to sign-up or change existing service:
Residential customers : 1-800-244-1111
Home Office customers: 1-800-898-9675
Small Business customers: 1-800-603-6000
Remember to request NCPLUS as your Internet Service Provider (ISP) when signing up for your DSL Service.
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| 5. |
Why should I get NCPLUS High Speed DSL now? | Back to Top |
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Broadband applications are roaring over the horizon. Movies, photographs, sport events and CD-quality music on demand…Internet telephone service and voicemail… enhanced catalog shopping, online education, consolidated financial services, live video and audio conferencing, medical services and much much more will soon be possible. With NCPLUS High Speed DSL, you'll be set up to enjoy the latest and the best of broadband as it evolves. And you'll have a much, much faster connection -- NOW!
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| 6. |
Do I have to get a new phone line? | Back to Top |
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No! In fact, if you now have a separate line dedicated to your analog modem, you might even be able to disconnect that line. NCPLUS High Speed DSL is designed to work over -- and greatly expand the capacity of -- your existing phone line. It turns that line into a "fat pipe" you can use for a whole new universe of data communications. With DSL setup, you can make or receive regular phone calls and be on the NCPLUS service at the same time over the same phone line! If you have a fax machine, you can send or receive faxes while you're online.
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| 7. |
I currently have two phone lines. Which phone line should I use? | Back to Top |
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NCPLUS currently supports the NCPLUS High Speed DSL service on your main ("primary") phone line. If your main phone line is DSL capable, there is a very good chance that you will be able to cancel your second phone line -- which can save you up to $20 or more each month. Remember one of the advantages of DSL is that you can access the Internet AND talk on the phone at the same time, over the same phone line. So you no longer need a separate, dedicated line just for your computer.
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| 8. |
Will NCPLUS High Speed DSL save me time and trouble? | Back to Top |
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NCPLUS High Speed DSL brings you a dedicated line connection that's "instantly on." So you don't dial up to connect to the NCPLUS service and the Internet. Instead you just click on a connection that wakes up instantly. Getting information from the NCPLUS service and the Internet becomes as easy as changing the channels on your TV. |
| 9. |
Do I need to be a computer expert to use NCPLUS High Speed DSL? | Back to Top |
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No. As always, NCPLUS makes things simple. We have the best technical people around who work hard so you don't have to, and make sure your online and Internet experiences are fast, fun and easy. NCPLUS High Speed DSL is simple to install and use. And you'll have complete support if you need it. |
| 10. |
What are the system requirements for NCPLUS DSL? | Back to Top |
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- Pentium Class Processor (200 MHz or greater preferred)
- Windows 95, 98, or Millennium Edition
- CD-ROM Drive
- 32MB System Memory (RAM)
- 32MB Available Hard Drive Space
- VGA Graphics Adapter (Video Card)
- VGA Monitor
- Currently running NCPLUS 5.0 (32-bit version) or 6.0 – if not, go to NCPLUS Keyword: Upgrade.
- Either an available USB Port or a free PCI Card Slot
Macintosh®:
- iMac®, Desktop Power PC®, or Powerbook® (notebook)
- CPU: MacOS 8.5 or higher
- 16 MB RAM (desktops); 32 MB RAM (lap top/notebook)
- 5 MB hard disk space (additional space will be needed for ISP requirements.)
- Pre-equipped Ethernet NIC, AAUI, or USB adapter (If your system does not have one of these, you may purchase one from any Apple retailer and install it on your own.)
- CD-ROM drive (internal or external)
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| 11. |
What Kind of Modem do You Need? | Back to Top |
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All DSL customers need to buy a DSL modem from Qwest for their computer. This modem connects your computer to your telephone line so that you can connect to the Internet. Your Qwest DSL™ modem decodes the special Qwest DSL™ signals that give you speeds from 10 - 1250 times the speed of a traditional modem.
A Qwest DSL™ modem requires a special signal in order to work. Qwest DSL™ service provides this signal over your existing telephone line, allowing you to surf the Internet and talk on the phone at the same time.
Whether you place your order online or call a sales consultant, you will answer a series of questions pertaining to your computer. Based on the answers to these questions, Qwest systems will determine which modem is suited to your computer and will ship the appropriate one.
There are three Qwest DSL™ modems available to use with Qwest DSL™ service:
- Cisco 678 Multi-user Qwest DSL™ Routing Modem Package.
- Intel Single User PCI-card Qwest DSL™ Modem Package.
- Intel Single User USB Qwest DSL™ Modem Package.
Qwest on-site professional installation for a single computer is included with Qwest DSL Pro accounts.
If your modem will be used in a Network (two or more computers), an additional router MUST be purchased. We recommend the Linksys BEFSR41. Your computer (or your computer Network) needs to be protected from the Internet by a device like the Linksys that acts like a firewall. The only condition under which you may have no need for a Linksys router is if you are connecting only one computer and file sharing is inactive. If you have one computer with file sharing active, you will need a Linksys router to protect your files. We urge you to
read Shields Up!. If you have only a single computer and no hubs or Ethernet switches, you should at least protect your computer by a (free) software firewall such as ZoneAlarm.
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