What is ADSL?

With our Broadband connection, you get a fast and convenient "always-online" Internet connection which allows you to talk on the phone and use the Internet at the same time on the same line. No more outbound call charges apply as with dial-up connections, reducing your phone bill dramatically.

Our ADSL is super fast and gives you access to the Internet at speeds that make traditional 28K or 56K modems seem pre-historic.

Massive graphics and even interactive videos can be received over the Internet at speeds up to 20Mbps - that's many, many times faster than current analogue modems!

How does ADSL work?

ADSL is the acronym for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line which is a form of DSL, a data communications technology that enables faster data transmission over copper telephone lines than a conventional modem can provide. The distinguishing characteristic of ADSL over xDSL is that the volume of data flow is greater in one direction than the other, i.e. it is asymmetric.

It uses the frequency spectrum between 0kHz and 4kHz for your telephone service and 20kHz to 2.2MHz for data transfer over the copper line.

ADSL can transmit up to 8Mbps (up to 20Mbps on ADSL2+) to a subscriber, and as much as 832kbps or more in both directions. An ADSL circuit connects an ADSL modem on the customers end of a twisted pair telephone line and to a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM), creating three information channels - a high speed downstream channel, a medium speed duplex channel, and a POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) or an ISDN channel. The POTS/ISDN channel is split off from the digital modem by filters, thus guaranteeing uninterrupted POTS/ISDN. It provides speeds up to 8 Mbps downstream (to the user) and up to 1 Mbps upstream, depending upon line length and loop and line conditions.

ADSL depends upon advanced digital signal processing and creative algorithms to squeeze vast amounts of information through twisted-pair telephone lines.

The availability of ADSL is dependent on a number of factors, including the area in which you live, the quality of your existing phone line and the distance from your nearest telephone exchange.

On the outside, ADSL looks simple -- transparent synchronous data pipes at various data rates over ordinary telephone lines. On the inside, where all the transistors work, there is a miracle of modern technology.

Benefits of using ADSL with Fantel

  • Many times faster than Dial-up, always online.
  • Simultaneous Internet and voice/fax capabilities over a single telephone line
  • Cost-effective solution for Residential & Business customers
  • Manage your account online
  • 10MB personal web space! + 10 E-mail accounts!
  • No line drop outs
  • Play games, listen to music and watch video streaming in real time
  • No Busy Signals. There's no need to install a second phone line with your DSL connection