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ISDN must be available from your Central Office or a neighboring Central Office
The Central Office is the BellSouth facility that provides telephone service to your location. In order for you to receive ISDN, it must be available at your Central Office. If it is not available at your Central Office, it is most likely available from a neighboring Central Office, enabling BellSouth to provide it to your location at no extra charge. If ISDN is not available at your Central Office or a neighboring Central Office, BellSouth may be able to make alternate arrangements to provide ISDN to your location.
ISDN must be available at your location
Similar to traditional telephone service, ISDN travels to your location via an electrical burst of current. This signal cannot travel more than a distance of approximately 3 miles. If your location is more than 3 miles from your serving Central Office, we may not be able to get ISDN to you. BellSouth may be able to make special arrangements to provide your location with ISDN, so please call us to find out.
Online/Internet Service Provider and Long Distance Carrier must be ISDN compatible
If you want to make long distance calls (either voice or data), you must select a long distance provider for your ISDN line. In other words, the long distance lines must be able to transmit data at speeds of 128k. If you want to connect to the Internet with your ISDN line or transmit data via the Internet, your Online Service Provider or Internet Service Provider must have an ISDN interface capable of taking full advantage of ISDN's capacity. Extra charges may apply. Be sure to consult with your provider.
Requires a terminal adapter (sometimes called an "ISDN modem") to connect to PC
If you are going to use ISDN for high-speed Internet access or data or video transmission, you will need to use a terminal adapter to connect the line to your PC. A terminal adapter works just like a modem except that it is digital, and has other built-in capabilities. BellSouth has begun to form alliances with ISDN equipment manufacturers and distributors so you can have ISDN equipment shipped directly to you. Terminal adapters are also available at most PC or office supply stores or catalogs. Prices begin at approximately $250, but vary according to functionality.
Sometimes requires new wiring
ISDN works on the copper wires that are already installed at your location. In some cases, ISDN requires a different jack, and occasionally, new wiring is required inside your location. BellSouth can provide this wiring for you or you can install it yourself or you can hire another party to install the wiring.
Back-up Power Supply (optional-may be desired)
Unlike traditional telephone lines, ISDN lines do not draw electrical current from the BellSouth facility that provides service to your location. Therefore, your ISDN equipment requires a separate power supply in the event of a power failure (just as a PC does!). An Uninterruptable Power Supply (just as used on a PC) can be used to maintain communications capabilities during a power outage. ISDN uses regular current (120v).
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