Digital Subscriber Line or DSL is a technology to bring high speed Internet or high-speed data services to homes and businesses over already existing copper telephone lines. Assuming your home or business is close enough to a telephone company central office that offers DSL service you may be able to receive data at rates up to 1.5 Mbps (Megabits per second.) Typically DSL speed rates for most customers are 768 Kbps (Kilobit per second) downstream (to your computer) and 128 Kbps upstream (out from your computer.) A DSL line carries both data and voice signals seamlessly and simultaneously with the data part of the line continuously connected.

A typical DSL setup requires a few specialized components: a DSL modem, an Ethernet Card, and Telephone filters. A standard Ethernet Card typically used to connect a computer to a LAN (Local Area Network) is installed into your computer. This card is used to connect your computer to the DSL modem. The DSL modem is a proprietary Fujitsu Speed-port modem provided by to you by Verizon, no other DSL modem will work. This modem is connected to your phone line and separates out the digital signal and send it to your computer. Filters are then placed on all your telephone sets to separate out the voice signal and allow you to continue to use your phone lines as usual.

The setup above allows for 1 computer to be connected to the DSL service. If you are setting up additional computers to your service you will need to purchase additional equipment. Normally a Ethernet hub is all that is needed but since this kind of connection is an "always on" connection, PCI recommends that you use a Ethernet HUB/Firewall. This device will allow your service to be connected to more the one computer at a time and will also protect you from outside attacks. You will also need to purchase additional Ethernet cards and Ethernet cable for each computer that you plan to connect. These items can be purchased purchase from your local office or computer supply store.

DSL service typically comes in 3 basic service packages: Residential (1-2 computers), Small LAN (up to 5 computers), and large LAN (more then 5 computers).

DSL service is also provided in the following speed configurations: Bronze (768Kbps Down/128Kbps Up), Silver (384Kbps/384Kbps), Gold (786Kbps/786Kbps) and Platinum (1.5Mbps/768Kbps). All these packages have a 10% committed service rate by the telephone company. An additional package, Platinum Plus (1.5Mbps/768Kbps), has a committed service rate of 25%.

All orders are placed by phone or by written order form to PCI. PCI will qualify your phone line (see if service is available at your location) and place the order with Verizon for you. Verizon will then condition your phone line (remove components from the copper line that block DSL service), send a DSL modem package to you, and connect your phone line to the DSL network. This process typically takes 2-3 weeks but is dependent on the phone company. Setup of the customer equipment is the responsibility of the customer and can be provided by PCI at an additional cost.

DSL service and speed configurations are subject to availability. Due to continuing upgrades of DSL service by the phone companies additional packages may become available. For more information or for a copy of our full disclosure statement please contact your sales agent at PCI.