Did You Know?

EBTech has providing excellent customer service to the Sarnia Lambton community since 1994! Not only were we the first in the internet service industry in Sarnia, we continue to be the leader in deploying new technologies and offering custom developed solutions based on our clients' needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DSL?
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is high speed Internet access that utilizes existing copper telephone lines that are in place in your home. DSL can offer T1- like speeds up to 50 times faster than a 28.8Kbps modem. DSL is based on a digital signal which can squeeze much more capacity out of a copper phone line than an analog modem can. Your current phone line uses only 1% of the line capacity for a voice call. DSL utilizes the other 99% of the lines capacity.

How can DSL benefit me?

• Downloads can be completed in seconds at up to 40 times the rate of a 28.8 modem.
• You can choose to always be connected with no wait for dialup access.
  
• No second phone line is required. You can make voice calls or send and
• receive faxes while connected to the Internet.
• Consistent speed regardless of how many people are on line.
• Easy to install and no rewiring is required. An external modem configurations are available.
  
• You can also choose to have a professional installation completed for you for a small fee.

What do I need to install DSL?
An existing residential telephone line.

Windows system (Minimum configuration)

Windows 95 (original CD or Cab (Cabinet) files mandatory)

• Processor equivalent to a Pentium 90 MHz.
• 32 MB of RAM
• 75 MB available on the hard drive
• CD-ROM Drive
• One free PCI slot for internal modem installation
• Ethernet card with RJ45 connector for external modem installation
• Support for 16 bit colour at 800x600 resolution
  

Macintosh System

• MAC OS 7.5.5 with Open Transport 1.2 installed
  

• Power PC processor
  
• 32 MB of RAM
  
• 75 MB available on the hard drive
  
• CD-ROM Drive
  
• Ethernet support via AUI port with RJ45 connector or built in RJ45 connector
  
• "Thousands of colours" at 832x624 resolution

  We can not guarantee that the EBTech HighSpeed service will be compatible with all system configurations. For $30, an EBTech Technical Service technician will visit your home or office to determine if your system is HighSpeed capable. It is your responsibility to ensure that your computer can handle the HighSpeed service.

What does the EBTech service include?

• HighSpeed Internet access
  
• 5 e-mail addresses
  
• 5 MB of Personal Web Space
  
• 10 hours of dialup access per month
  
• Sarnia's Best Technical Support
  
• Access to EBTech's Free Internet Classes

What are the costs of the EBTech DSL service.

• Residential - $34.95 a month
• Business - $59.95 per month
• $60.00 installation for business, $30.00 for residential
• $135.00 External ADSL modem (Ethernet card is additional)

*A reactivation charge will apply if you move or change the number on which the service is activated.

Do I have to be a Bell long distance customer to get these great rates?

No, these rates are available to all regardless of the long distance carrier that you use.

Will there be any charges on my Bell telephone bill?
No, there will not be any charges for this service on your Bell phone bill. You will see only an indication that this service is activated on the phone number.

Is this service available in all areas?
At this time availability is limited to areas where Bell Canada central offices are equipped to provide the services to us. New areas are opening up so if you want to be advised when your area is open please send an email to highspeed@ebtech.net and we will let you know when the service is available.

Do I need a second phone line?
The choice is yours to make but you do not need a second line for this service. On one line you can connect to the Internet and make voice calls at the same time on the same number. Or you can be connected to the Internet and send or receive faxes at the same time. You can not however make a voice call and send and receive faxes at the same time.

Are all Bell Smart Touch features and current answering machine services affected by this service?
There is no affect on current services that you use today. All will continue to function as they do today.

Can I take my computer to another location and use the service?
No. The service is activated only for one telephone number and is not portable to another location. You can, however, use your free 10 hour dialup account when you are away from home.

Can I send and receive faxes with this service?
No. EBTech HighSpeed modems are not equipped as a fax modem. You must continue to use existing dial up faxing or fax machine for this purpose. These devices will work on the telephone line configured for the HighSpeed service.

How long does it take to have the EBTech DSL service activated?
It will take on average 5-10 days from the date an order is submitted. This time frame is for the activation of the line and does not take into consideration the installation.

Does the service prevent hacking or viruses?
The service only provides access to Internet based services and it is still the responsibility of the user to protect their systems using commercially available tools and software. If the always on capabilities do not satisfy your security needs, the Access Manager software allows for disconnection from the service without shutting down your computer.

I have pre-paid my account for a year. What happens to the money that I have already paid?
At the date of activation of the service, your existing account balance for unused service on your dial up account will be calculated and applied to the balance due for the service.

Do I have to change my login or e-mail accounts?
No. The accounts and e-mail address that you have today remain the same with the DSL service.

I run a small business. Is this service available to me?
Yes. This service is billed, however, based on the phone line that it is being activated on. If it is a business line you will be billed business rates. Residential lines are billed residential rates.

What kind of speed can I expect?
Your distance from the local phone company's central office will be a factor in the speeds you receive. The technology is currently capable of as much as 3.0Mbps (where available) downstream for residential clients.

Can I network more than one computer on one service?
Yes, more than one computer can be configured to access the same line. Additional hardware or software may be required to do this. This additional hardware or software is not provided with the installation of the service and is the responsibility of the owner to obtain and configure their equipment for the service. Throughput speeds may be affected with more than one computer on the service. Our Technical Support will only offer support for a single connection.

Can I have a static IP address with EBTech?
Static IPs are available for EBTech customers subject to approval. There is a cost involved to obtain a static IP. Please contact your EBTech sales representative for more information.

Will other DSL style modems work with EBTech?
Your sales rep will be able to tell you which type of modem you will require based on your location and your computer configuration.

Will installing this service on my phone line affect my alarm company security system?
Activating the HighSpeed Service on your phone line may affect the proper function of your alarm service. It is important to call your alarm company to ensure alarm signals can be received properly once the service is installed.