| What equipment do I need? |
For Always USB:
A PC with at least the following specification is recommended:
- Pentium 200Mhz
- 32 Mb RAM
- 4-speed CD-ROM drive
- Video card/display capable of 800x600, 256 colours
- 50Mb free on hard drive
- Windows 98, 98SE, ME or 2000 Professional
- An available USB port
NOTE: Windows '95 is not supported and the USB upgrade for Windows '95
(USBSUPP.EXE) does not provide the required additional functionality.
Dual processors are not currently supported.
Or an Apple Macintosh with the following specification is recommended:
- PowerPC 601 or equivalent (200 MHZ or faster)
- Mac OS 8.6, OS 9.0 or OS 9.1
- 100 MB free space on hard drive
- A free USB port
- 32MB System Memory
- Video driver and display capable of 800 x 600, 256 colours or higher
- CD-ROM drive
For Always Routed:
A PC or Mac with a specification as above, with the following exceptions:
- Windows 95 and Windows NT4 are supported
- USB is not needed
- You need an available 10baseT compatible Ethernet interface with an RJ45 connector
For either service you will need a dedicated mains wall socket for the ADSL modem or router
| Are there any ADSL compatability issues? |
Currently there are number of issues with the use of non-standard equipment together with ADSL:
- Currently ADSL Broadband services are only available over a BT PSTN line.
Telephone lines with ISDN, Subscriber private metering, 30k loop, Private Circuits, BT Home
Highway or Business Highway, Red ABC, RedCare alarm systems, FeatureNet 5000 services,
Meterpulse facility, PBX lines, other broadband XDSL services cannot be used with ADSL.
If you have an ISDN line, you can convert it to a normal PSTN analogue line or ask BT for
a new PSTN analogue line.
- All BT Select Services can be supported on the PSTN line, including Call Waiting,
Call Return and Caller Display.
- ADSL is not compatible with Alarm Systems which use 'out of band' (greater than
4khz) signalling. To check whether your alarm system is compatible please refer to your alarm system
manual or provider.
- Fax machines may operate at a lower speed.
- ADSL can only be provided within 30m of the BT master socket. It cannot be run from an extension
off the BT Master Socket. If your analogue line is not within this distance a new line will be required.
| Is there a minimum contract period? |
DIY Wires Only ADSL contracts are for a minimum period of 3 months with payment options of monthly, quarterly or yearly in advance.
Engineer Installed ADSL contracts are for a minimum period of 12 months with payment options of monthly, quarterly or yearly in advance.
Kindly note that if you wish to cancel your subscription you are required to give one month's written notice applicable from your subscription expiry date. In the event of cancellation prior to subscription expiry date no refund will be given.
If you move house your connection will have to be ceased and you will be liable to pay for the remaining term of your contract. If you want ADSL at your new home you will need to place a new order (subject to ADSL availability and survey).
BT are currently investigating the process of shifting circuits, however no timescale has been set for this.
| Will I need a new phone number? |
Most end users will be able to keep their existing BT numbers.
However if you are currently using an ISDN line to connect to the Internet you will need to have an analogue telephone line installed or convert your ISDN line to analogue for ADSL
| Are there any Internet call charges? |
No. ADSL offers permanent Internet access for a flat fee with no additional call charges.
| Will telephone calls be charged separately? |
Yes. Normal telephone rental and call charges payable to your telecom provider will still apply.
| Is there a service level guarantee? |
ADSL comes under BT Standard Care Service level. This operates during 9.00am to 5.00pm.
BT will aim to respond to a fault report, where it is received before 5.00pm on one working day, by the end of the next working day. Work will only be carried out during normal working hours: 9.00am - 5.00pm. BT offer no guarantees of ADSL availability or uninterrupted service.
All ADSL billing and fault queries should be raised directly with Abel Internet, not with BT.
Email us at support@abelgratis.com, or phone 0906 680 4444 (25p per minute) for assistance.
| Can I provide my own modem/router? |
Yes you can. This is the 'wires-only' or 'DIY' service, as opposed to the engineer installed option.
| Can I have more than one ADSL extension running from the same splitter? |
No, but you can add additional splitters to other extensions. With engineer installed options one splitter is supplied by BT along with the ADSL modem/router. along as part of the BT Equipment.
| Can I have another telephone extension running from the splitter? |
Yes, additional telephone equipment may be connected using an approved
telephone two-way adaptor.
Email us at info@abelgratis.com, or phone 0871 717 8252 for assistance.
