What is
Unmetered Internet Access?
Unmetered Internet is a Dialup Internet service that gives you a certain amount
of free minutes a month to use the internet using a dial up modem (i.e.
56K).
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What are the key benefits of
Unmetered for me?
Unmetered Internet access is
designed for people and business who do not want broadband or broadband is
not available in there area, and want a cheap alternative with reliability
and the extras.
You receive a reliable
connection with no call charges, you could be enjoying smooth, speedy
browsing.
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Will
I have to install loads of software?
All you need to get connected is a BT or Cable phone line and an Internet
Browser for example Internet Explorer or Netscape, no extra software or
hardware is necessary and setup can be completed within minutes. Also our
installation does not override all you previous Internet and Mail
settings.
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How fast is it?
Typical rates are shown in the below:
Upto 56000 Kbps.
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Who are our
Internet based services
aimed at?
Our services are aimed at a wide range of consumers. Corporate business
users will be able to provide their teleworkers or satellite offices with
remote access to the corporate network, whilst home users will be able to
take advantage of the incredible services to communicate with the world
and access information from all over the world.
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How
do I sign up for this account?
New customers and existing customers can sign up online (Click
here). Existing customers can request to transfer their account by
calling our Customer Services FREE on 0800 496 5566.
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What
number do I dial?
An 0800 (Freephone number) will be emailed to you along with your
account details.
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When
can I start using my account?
You can use your Unmetered internet account with immediate effect of receiving
our email.
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When
do I get the free calls?
You can use your account anytime of the day, any day of the week and your
Internet calls will be free.
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How
many hours can I be online in a month?
The Unmetered Service is not intended to be a permanent connection. the
Maximum usage hours stated will be the maximum time you can be online, if
you are consistently going over your maximum you will be asked to upgrade
package.
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What
modem standard do I need?
We recommend a V90 modem for best results, but most modems are compatible
including V92.
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Do
I have to be with BT to use the service?
No. our service works on BT and Cable lines.
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Can
I dial in from more than one number?
You can only get the free calls from the number that you registered with
us when signing up. Should this number change you will need to notify us
so that we can register the new number.
You can speak to one of our customer services representatives on 0800
496 5566 (Free Phone)
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Is
there any cut off limit?
There is NO cut-off limit, i.e. if your internet is idle for more
than 10 minutes you will NOT get disconnected (unlike many other
providers).
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Will telephone
line rental be charged
separately?
Yes. Normal telephone rental will still apply.
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Who is responsible for billing?
You be billed by us for your Internet service. If you have any queries about
your ADSL account you should contact us and not BT.
The price, billing and payment for your standard BT telephony service will
remain unchanged and BTs responsibility.
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Will all BT Select services be
supported?
Yes, all Select Services can be supported on the PSTN line, including Call
Waiting, Call Return and Caller Display.
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What is the minimum contract
period?
The minimum contract period is one month (notice period). Your contract is with us and you
should contact us rather than BT if you have any queries.
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If I move premises what will
happen to my Internet connection?
Your contract is for your specific location. To register you new number
contact our Customer Services on 0800 496 5566 (Free Phone)
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Who do I report faults to?
You should report faults to us and not BT in the first instance.
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Is it dangerous to be permanently
attached to the Internet?
Any computer that is connected using to the Internet is exposed to
the world and there are security risks involved as a dial-up user. You should be aware of the
potential of hacking attacks and the precautions that you should take.
Please read our security section.
Some examples of good security practice are:
Turn off your PCs when not in use.
Turn off Windows File and Printer Sharing
Install a virus checking software product and ensure that it is maintained
to the latest version.
You should provide a Firewall in the case of a sensitive installation.
You should provide encryption of data transmission for sensitive data.
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Can you explain how the contention
ratios work?
The services have different contention
ratios set up, with these values set at 15:1, 10:1 and 5:1.
This means that for a Home user with a Dial access account, the BT connection at the
exchange is shared with another 10 users. Whilst some degree of
performance loss will be experienced during peak periods, it is generally
accepted that few people will be downloading or uploading data all at the
exact same time. For the business user it makes sense to go for the 5:1
business version, which will not be subject to so much slowdown at peak
periods. The two systems will be able to co-exist on the same 'local loop'
due to BT's network tunnelling protocols, each connection being given its
own port on the exchange terminating equipment (DSLAM).
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Disclaimer:
Please note that although we endeavour to make sure that the information
included in this FAQ is up-to-date and accurate we cannot guarantee that
it is exhaustive, nor that changes wont be made at any time without
prior notice.
Glossary of terms
BROADBAND the technology of using
the whole available bandwidth of the transmission medium, in this case,
copper telephone cable.
CONTENTION refers to the number of
people who share the same local loop as yourself. This means that the
higher the contention rate, the slower the ADSL network will become at
peak periods. This is one reason why we regard the Business ADSL variant
as being the superior product because of its low contention ratio of 20:1
CROSSOVER CABLE
type of Ethernet
cable required to connect a PCs NIC directly to a router rather than a
hub. This was required during BTs ADSL trials but is no longer required
because the NTE equipment (for the Ethernet variant) now has a built-in
hub.
DHCP - Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol. A process by which a machine assigns a single IP address to a PC
on a network. This IP address is taken from a 'pool' of addresses. The PC
would be set up to receive its IP address 'dynamically' via its networking
settings. This system allows easy administration of a network since
individual addresses are not 'tied' to a particular machine. Together with
the concept of a 'lease' whereby a time is specified for the duration of
that IP address, it becomes possible to administer a network where there
are more machines than available IPs in the pool.
DSLAM Digital Subscriber Loop
Access Multiplexer. Located at the BT exchanges, these are what your ADSL
modem connects to.
ETHERNET the technology commonly
used to network PCs (also referred to as 10BaseT or 100BaseT)
IP - Internet Protocol. All machines on
a single network require a unique IP address in order to communicate with
one another. An IP address is divided into a network part, which must be
the same on any one network, and a host portion, which must differ.
LOCAL LOOP refers to the telephone
network between your location and the nearest BT exchange.
MODEM
used to connect your computer to the internet, sends and receives signals.
NAT - Network Address Translation. The
name given to the process whereby one IP (Internet Protocol) address is
mapped (or translated) to another. This generally occurs when a globally
valid IP address is mapped to an IP on a private (internal) network. The
benefits of this are several. Firstly it becomes possible to connect many
machines to the Internet with only a single Static IP address. It also
'hides' the actual addresses of the internal machines, since to the
outside world, all the machines share the same IP address - the network
looks like a single machine.
NIC Network Interface Card
(Ethernet card, 10BaseT card) that is installed in your PC in order to
connect to a local area network. A PC
expansion card that allows a PC to communicate with an Ethernet network
via appropriate cabling.
NTE
Network Terminating Equipment the BT equipment
installed at you location. Refers to the USB modem in the case of a single
USB installation or combined modem/router/hub in the case of the Ethernet
installation.
PSTN Public Switched Telephone
Network. The telephone network we use for telephony services.
SPLITTER - device that splits the
available bandwidth of the copper cable into two or more sections, on for
analogue voice transmission, the other for digital data communication.
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