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What
is Sprint FastConnect?
Sprint FastConnect is quite simply a better Internet
experience. With Internet access up to 50 times faster than a conventional
modem and instant on capabilities, you will be able to access Internet
information, play games, music, and watch videos without having
to experience long connection or long download times. Your time
on the Internet will be much more enjoyable and productive with
Sprint FastConnect
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What
is DSL?
Digital Subscriber Line, or DSL, is a technology
that allows data to be tranitted over a dedicated digital circuit
using ordinary copper phone lines between a business or residence
and a telephone company's central office. DSL is the technology
currently used by Sprint FastConnect DSL technology transmits at
much higher speeds than traditional, analog technology. DSL technology
can also allow you to make a phone call while transmitting data
(while using the Internet, for example) on the same line. There
are several different types of DSL technology, offering speeds from
15 to 50 times faster than today's analog modems. DSL works by replacing
conventional analog call-switching equipment with digital modems
known as DSL multiplexers, sometimes called "D-slams." The speed
at which homes and businesses can send and receive text, video and
other data depends, in part, on how far away they are located from
the central office where the D-slam is installed.
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How
fast is Sprint FastConnect?
Sprint FastConnect speeds run up to 1.5 Mbps at this
time. Faster DSL speeds are under development. The maximum speed
will depend on such factors as the distance between your home and
the Sprint serving office and the condition of your line.
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How
does Sprint FastConnect
compare to cable modems?
Cable modems offer service over a shared cable. Tens
and possibly hundreds, of users may be connected to this local cable
line. Access speed is compromised as more users access a cable data
network. The capacity available to any one user inevitably drops.
The Sprint FastConnect technology provides a dedicated service over
an existing telephone line. Because Sprint FastConnect provides
dedicated service you don't have to share your access connection
with other users and therefore you see more consistency and persistency
in your connection.
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What
is ADSL?
DSL connections can be configured to offer faster
data rates "downstream," to your computer from a host computer than
"upstream" from your computer to a host computer. This is called
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, or ADSL, and is best suited
for some applications, such as using the Internet, where you typically
need to receive more data than you send. Other DSL applications
- a corporate data network, for example - require symmetric service,
where data are sent at the same rate in both directions.
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How
is Sprint FastConnect
different from ISDN?
Sprint FastConnect and ISDN have a number of things
in common; however, they each have their own advantages that make
them the best solutions for different customers. One primary difference
is that ISDN is a switched, multi-point service. For instance, you
can use your ISDN line to dial up an Internet connection, then later
establish different ISDN connections to send a high-speed fax or
connect to a corporate LAN (local area network) - all the while,
having the ability to also use the same phone line for digital voice
calls. With Sprint FastConnect, your data connection is an "instant
on" connection (no busy signals), and is a dedicated, point-to-point
connection to a particular service, such as an Internet service
provider.
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What
is xDSL?
DSL is the general term or family name for all DSL
products. This encompasses products such as ADSL, SDSL, IDSL, and
many more. DSL technologies use high-end modulation processes to
pack data, voice and video onto copper wires. The difference between
the various products is in the rate of information transfer, which
is based on your distance from the serving central office (also
known as the DSLAM), line frequencies and technology protocols.
ADSL is a transport that allows faster flow of information (data,
voice and video) downstream than upstream. SDSL (Symmetric Digital
Subscriber Line) supports one speed regardless of information flow.
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Will
Sprint FastConnect
service replace the need for ISDN?
No. The use of ISDN versus Sprint FastConnect should
be evaluated on a customer by customer basis. The value of Sprint
FastConnect is highly dependent upon three criteria:
- The extent
to which a customer would like to increase information transfer
rates.
- The amount
of time a customer must be connected to the Internet or an Enterprise
Network.
- The amount
of money the customer is willing to pay for the upgraded service.
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Will
I have to purchase hardware or software to use the services?
Some applications as well as some individual access
technologies may require purchase of equipment or software. Generally,
we will make basic hardware needed for a data service available
as part of the installation process. Sprint technicians will be
available to install the necessary equipment and test the service
for you or will help you with difficulties you may have if you choose
to install the equipment yourself. Sprint FastConnect requires a
DSL modem and an ethernet card. The modem and ethernet card must
also be compatible with the Sprint network. A Sprint data specialist
will work with you to help with the ordering, coordination and installation
of all the equipment needed to shift your communications into high
gear.
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What
are the minimum computer and hardware requirements?
|
IBM
Compatible Computers:
|
| |
Recommended: |
Minimum: |
| Processor
|
Pentium
166 MHz
|
486/66
MHz
|
| RAM |
32
MB
|
32
MB
|
| Available
Hard Drive Space |
250
MB
|
110
MB
|
| Removable
Media |
CD
or DVD Drive
|
CD
or DVD Drive
|
| Operating
System |
Windows
95 or higher
|
Windows
95
|
|
Macintosh
computers:
|
|
Recommended: |
Minimum: |
| Processor
|
PPC
650, 250 MHz
|
68040
|
| RAM |
32
MB
|
16
MB
|
| Available
Hard Drive Space |
250
MB
|
110
MB
|
| Removable
Media |
CD
or DVD Drive
|
CD
or DVD Drive
|
| Operating
System |
Mac
OS 8 or higher
|
Mac
OS 8 or higher
|
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Does
Sprint support Macintosh?
Yes. Please check the Equipment
Requirements page for specific system requirements.
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Does
Sprint FastConnect
require installing an additional phone line?
No. Sprint FastConnect utilizes varying frequency
spectrums, 0-4 kHz for POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) and 100
kHz - 2.2Mhz for data transmission. This allows simultaneous analog
voice or fax and DSL data transmission over the same telephone line
at the same time.
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Will
I be able to talk on the phone or send a fax while I am connected
to the Internet or my company's network?
Yes. Sprint FastConnect allows for simultaneous voice
and data transmission. This means that you can surf the web and
receive and place telephone calls at the same time on a single phone
line. In addition, your telephone line will remain operational even
if you lose power to your PC.
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Can
I pay for the equipment with my regular phone bill?
Yes. Sprint can include your Sprint FastConnect equipment
on your phone bill.
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Can
I still utilize existing features like Caller ID, Call Forwarding
and Three-way Calling on the same line?
Yes. The addition of Sprint FastConnect does not
impact these features. In fact Sprint offers special package pricing
to customers who purchase other Sprint services like Caller ID and
Long Distance.
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I'm
getting a new area code. Will this affect my Sprint FastConnect
line, too?
No, your Sprint FastConnect service will not be affected.
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Will
I be able to use my voice portion of the services while being connected
to my Internet Provider?
Yes. As mentioned earlier, the data transmission
is separated from the voice transmission. This means that you can
"surf the net" and receive or place telephone calls over this same
single Sprint FastConnect line at the same time. In addition, your
telephone line will remain operational even if you lose power to
your PC.
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If
my Sprint FastConnect
modem fails or loses power, do I lose phone service?
No. Sprint FastConnect modems are designed so that
your normal telephone service will operate even if the modem is
unplugged or otherwise disabled.
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Do
I need a new modem if I want this service?
Unless you already own a functioning DSL Modem that
is compatible with Sprint's network, a new modem is required. Dial-up
analog and ISDN modems will not work.
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Can
I connect to AOL?
Yes, America Online offers a special TCP/IP account
for customers who already have high-speed Internet access (ISDN,
DSL, etc.). This allows you to use your Sprint FastConnect service
to access AOL content.
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What
is a POTS Splitter and how does it work?
A POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) splitter, also
known as a low-pass/high-pass filter, is a device that separates
the voice portion of the Sprint FastConnect line from the data portion
of the line. Current Sprint FastConnect technology may require two
POTS splitters on the line: One at Sprint's central office and one
at the customer's premises. The customer premises splitter "splits"
the analog voice signal from the digital data signal and allows
two wires to simultaneously activate phone jacks and others to act
as data jacks to the modem. The splitter at the central office,
also known as the DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer),
allows for separate POTS and DSL signals, which go to the PSTN (Public
Service Telephone Network) and the Sprint ATM Network respectively.
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What
do Downstream and Upstream mean?
Downstream is data flow from the Internet or a LAN
to your computer (data you receive), while Upstream is the data
flow from your computer to the Internet or LAN (data you send).
A typical user requires much higher bandwidth Downstream (to download
web pages or files from a LAN) than upstream. But if you are transferring
large files from your computer to another location or to the Internet,
then you may need higher Upstream bandwidth than the typical user.
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Why
are the downstream and upstream speeds different?
The downstream data speed refers to the connection
rate or "synch rate" to your computer from the Internet or your
companies network (LAN). The upstream speed refers to the connection
speed from your computer to the Internet or your company's network.
Since most Internet and business LAN applications require you to
download large amounts of data while sending relatively small amounts
of data, most broadband services offer higher downstream rates than
upstream rates.
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Which
speed option is right for me?
The 512 Kbps/128 Kbps service is an excellent option
for high-speed Internet access in the home and for telecommuters
remotely connecting to their company's network. The 1.5 Mbps/384
Kbps service is an excellent option for many small or medium sized
businesses, some large businesses, telecommuters, and others with
more intense usage requirements.
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How
do I sign up for Sprint FastConnect?
Sprint offers a variety of convenient ways to sign
up for service:
- Complete
the contact us form and a Sprint Data Specialist will contact
you
- Call us
at 1-877-6GO-DATA
- Visit a
participating Sprint Store
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What
will the data speeds be?
For residential customers, Sprint offers two speed
options:
- 512 Kbps
down/128 Kbps up
- 1.5 Mbps
down/384 Kbps up
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Will
the services be available everywhere?
Sprint FastConnect is being deployed on a phased
basis in selected markets based on market demographics and network
characteristics. ISDN service is already available to about 8 out
of 10 Sprint local service customers. To see if Sprint FastConnect
is available in your area click here.
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How
much will Sprint FastConnect
cost?
Monthly prices for Sprint FastConnect service vary
depending upon where you live and the package of services you purchase.
Generally, Sprint FastConnect residential prices are as follows*:
|
DSL Speeds
|
Monthly Charge with Earthlink Sprint
|
Monthly Charge with Earthlink 1 Year
Term
|
|
512Kbps/128Kbps
|
$52.99
|
$49.99
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1.5Mbps/384Kbps
|
$109.99
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$99.99
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*Additional
charges may apply for installation, service activation and equipment.
Call us at 1-877-6GO-DATA for details. Prices and offers subject
to change without notice.
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