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FAQ

DSL Broadband FAQs

  1. What is ADSL?
  2. How does ADSL work?
  3. What are the “Minimum Requirements Criteria” needed to ensure a successful implementation of ADSL Broadband?
  4. What is a contention ratio?
  5. What is "upstream" and "downstream" ?
  6. Can I get ADSL in my area?
  7. What is SDSL?
  8. What is a filter and why do I need them?
  9. Can I keep the same phone number?
  10. Will I still need to pay my phone rental?
  11. Do I have to pay for Internet call charges while using MangoSurf.net ADSL Broadband?
  12. Are there any compatibility issues with MangoSurf.net ADSL Broadband and my internal telephone system?
  13. Can I upgrade from ISDN to MangoSurf.net ADSL?

1. What is ADSL?
ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. A fixed, high-speed, digital internet connection transmitted via a standard analogue phone line. The installation of ADSL equipment in both the telephone exchange and on your premises converts the copper pairs into a permanent high-speed digital connection to the Internet. It typically provides uploading of 256 kbps and downloads of up to 2000 MB.

2. How does ADSL work?
ADSL operates over a standard telephone line. The signal is carried by two DSL modems, one at the user end and one in the local exchange. The modems operate outside the range utilised by the voice calls and can offer much higher quality of data transfer than existing voice modems.

A 'splitter' (filter), separates the telephony signal from the DSL signal, one at the user end and one at the exchange end. This means telephone calls can be made at the same as you use the internet. ADSL 'squeezes' more capacity out of a phone line without interfering with your normal telephone services.

3. What are the “Minimum Requirements Criteria” I need to ensure a successful implementation of ADSL Broadband?

Business Residential
  • Single BT analogue line
  • No burglar alarms, ISDN, BT Highway or PBX extensions on the analogue line
  • PC are networked (can share drives and files)
  • Operating System is Windows 95 or above
  • A 13 amp power point is within 2 metres of the main PC
  • Single BT analogue line
  • No burglar alarms, ISDN, BT Highway or PBX extensions on the analogue line
  • If there is more than one PC, ensure they are networked (can share drives and files)
  • Operating System is Windows 95 or above
  • A 13 amp power point is within 2 metres of the main PC

4. What is a contention ratio?
The ADSL link between you and MangoSurf.net is shared with other ADSL customers, so your data is being up or downloaded at the same time as the data of other users.

For example, a 50:1 contention ratio indicates that a maximum of 49 users (50 including you) can share your bandwidth at one time. Whereas a 1:1 contention ratio indicates that you would not be sharing the bandwidth with anyone, its exclusively yours.

Find out what contention ratios are available in your exchange area by using our ADSL checker

5. What is "upstream" and "downstream" ?
"Upstream" describes the flow of data from your PC to the Internet. "Downstream" describes the flow of data from the Internet to your PC.

So for example, if you are a doing a search on the internet, it normally takes a few second s for the search engine to find the information you’re looking for. That’s upstream. Once the information you were search is presented to you, that’s downstream.

Currently, all ADSL services have a lower upstream than downstream, regardless of your choice of service. However, if your exchange area has On Net services, you can have up to 400kbps upstream!

Find out whether your exchange has On Net services by using our ADSL checker

6. Can I get ADSL in my area?
Call us FREE on 0808 180 6264 to check what DSL service is available in your area.

7. What is SDSL?
SDSL stands for Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line. A fixed, high-speed, digital internet connection transmitted via two copper wires. The fundamental difference between SDSL and ADSL is that SDSL has equal upload and download speeds. So for example, a package with 2000 MB bandwidth would allow you upload and download data at the same speed. Unlike ADSL, SDSL does not require an existing line service and there are no line rentals to be paid over and above the SDSL service.

8. What is a filter and why do I need them?
Filters - also known as micro-filters - are little gadgets that you need if you are using a broadband modem on a phone line that is shared with ordinary phones. It makes sure that the digital broadband signals do not interfere with ordinary voice signals - and allows you to chat on the phone while simultaneously surfing the Internet at high speed.

9. Can I keep the same phone number?
As the connection of ADSL does not effect your standard telephone service, most customers will be able to retain their existing telephone number.

10. Will I still need to pay for my phone rental?
Yes, ADSL is only provided on a working voice line and the line rental (normally paid separately to BT) must be paid for the duration of the ADSL connection.

11. Do I have to pay for Internet call charges while using MangoSurf.net ADSL Broadband?
No, you don't. The only costs will be your modem purchase, your activation charge and your flat-rate monthly subscription charges.

You can stay online as long as you want without paying another penny

12. Are there any compatibility issues with MangoSurf.net ADSL Broadband and my internal telephone system?

There are a number of services that have compatibility issues that may disrupt smooth connection and access to ADSL Broadband:

  • Subscriber Private Metering
  • 30K loop
  • Private Services
  • Red Care (burglar alarms)
  • Copper Wideband Servicing Sections
  • CWss 2 or 3 pair
  • Featurenet 5000 services
  • Private Exchange Branch Lines
  • ISDN/HomeHighway

13. Can I upgrade from ISDN to MangoSurf.net ADSL?
Yes, however the line has to be re-graded to an analogue line, and BT charge to do this, you are also liable for any terms left on the ISDN contract. Once the line has been regraded, it will be checked for suitability for ADSL. There is a chance the line is not suitable and BT will charge to convert it back to ISDN.

FREEPHONE: 0808 180 6264