AmigaActive (1671/2307)

From:Tudor Davies
Date:25 Oct 2000 at 11:57:19
Subject:Re: ISDN to ASDL problem

On Wed, Oct 25, 2000 at 11:42:17AM +0100, Matt Sealey wrote:
> > I have just been told by friend that you can not convert a line from ISDN to
> > ASDL, is this true?
>
> Well ADSL works on the basis of funny tricks it can do by sending data down
> an 'analogue' copper wire under your road. Just like 56k modems, if you start
> putting in more than one analogue-digital step on route, the data gets smashed.
>
> ISDN is a purely digital line, hence that's one step. Your data won't even get
> out of the house.
>
> That's the SIMPLE version, anyway ;)

But the ISDN is still carried by thin pieces of copper wire - the same as
the analogue line... same cable - different pair!

All they do, is put "extra" equipment at each end of the pairs of cable to
determine it's usage - analogue, ISDN or ADSL...

> BT discourage people downgrading (like Bothwick said) because the cost of
> getting an ISDN line uninstalled and a new analogue line put in is stupidly
> high, and then an ADSL installation on top also stupidly high - and BT are
> subsidising the damn things. Imagine how much you lose on the conversion,
> and then think of how much of it BT is paying for out of goodwill ;)

Indeed. There is no tecnical reason for doing it - it is purely cost driven
by BT that is preventing people from changing ISDN->ADSL...

Saying that - BT are trialing ISDN->ADSL conversions atm....

l8r



Tudor Davies Running Amiga, Mac, PC & Unices
Technology in Perfect Harmony
Team Member of AmiBench
Web: http://www.AmiBench.org Specialist in Internet Security & ISP
Email: tudor@high5.net Support (RADIUS, Firewalls & Routing)
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