DSL - High-Speed
Internet Service

This page outlines the features and pricing for the DSL service that LISCO offers in the following towns: Columbus Junction, Knoxville, Mt. Pleasant, and Sigourney. (LISCO's DSL service and prices in other communities may vary.)

	LISCO-DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) Unbeatable prices: 256k (both up & down) - $28.95 384k (both up & down) - $31.95 512k (both up & down) - $34.95 768k (both up & down) - $39.95 We make it easy: No setup or installation fees (for new customers) Rent a DSL modem for only $5 per month No long-term contract required

To order call: (641) 472-5400
or (800) 331-8414

Low-cost DSL is here!
LISCO is now providing a new type of low-cost, high-speed Internet service technology in a number of cities in southeast Iowa. This page describes the service available in Fairfield, Mt. Pleasant, Pella, Knoxville, Sigourney, and Columbus Junction. It's called DSL.

What is DSL?
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a technology that delivers high-speed Internet access over telephone lines, as opposed to using optical fiber, a satellite dish, or over your cable TV lines. It's an "always-on," 24-hour-a-day service. You never have to dial up or log in.

What is ReachDSL®?
ReachDSL is the DSL technology that LISCO has adopted in Southeast Iowa. ReachDSL is a special DSL technology from Paradyne Inc. that works faster and more reliably over older copper circuits than other DSL technologies. The ReachDSL tecnology can provide service where other DSL technologies cannot.
(ReachDSL is a registered trademark of Paradyne Corporation.)

How fast is DSL?
With DSL, web pages seem to load almost instantaneously, and the graphics pop up right away. You can transfer music and video files quickly. A whole new level of Internet access will now be available to you.

A 256k DSL connection is up to 4.5 times as fast as a 56k dial-up modem. A 768k DSL connection will be up to 13.5 times as fast. (A 768k connection is equivalent to half of a T1 line.)

As a real world example, a large file that would take half an hour to upload or download with a 56k dial-up connection would take only 2 minutes to transfer with a 768k connection.

Can I really get 768k speeds?
No. 768k is the nominal speed. The actual speed of DSL will always be less than the nominal speed and depend on the quality of the phone circuit carrying the data and the length of the circuit. With DSL technology, there are also some overhead needs that use up part of the bandwidth. The rule of thumb is that around 80% of the nominal speed is considered a good DSL connection speed.

More explaination about the 80% Rule is availible here.

How much will DSL cost?
LISCO's Home and Small Business DSL packages vary in price and speed. Note that the speeds and prices below are for average home and small business use. Customers with very large data transport needs will require custom pricing.

ReachDSL modem: you can rent or purchase your modem
You will also need a ReachDSL modem. You can purchase one from LISCO for approximately $200 plus tax, or we will rent you the modem for $5.00 per month, plus tax. In addition, your computer must have an Ethernet port to connect to the modem. If your computer doesn't have one, you can get one installed by your local computer store.

Note that this DSL product is intended for home or small business use only. Please see the LISCO DSL Terms of Service for more information. For larger businesses, other DSL technologies with speeds up to 2048k will also be available. (Call Tom Terrien at (641) 472-5400, extension 7117, or Michael Porter at (641) 472-5400, extension 7131.)

To sign-up for the low-cost DSL (or for more information), call us at (641) 472-5400, or (800) 331-8414, then press 1.

Can more than one computer share a DSL connection?
Yes, a single DSL connection can be shared by a small network of computers. If you need extra IP addresses for this, they will be available for a slight extra charge. Please consult with your computer store or the person who knows your network for advice on what you need. Consulting, setting up, and trouble-shooting your local computer network are not included in the monthly usage fee or the cost of the modem.

Charges for extra dynamic IP addresses

Charges for fixed IP addresses

How does the installation process work?
LISCO will mail you an installation kit with the modem and installation instructions. Telephone technical support will be available if you have a problem. However, if you are attempting to hook up more than one computer, please consult with the person who set up your network. LISCO will provide the DSL Internet connection but will not be able to trouble-shoot your computer network.

What's meant by "always on"?
Contrasted with a regular dial-up Internet account, where your computer's modem needs to dial up the local access telephone number every time you want to use the Internet or check your e-mail, DSL provides a connection that is "on" 24-hours a day.

And because you never have to dial up, you'll never receive a busy signal. No more dropped connections, and no more waiting for someone in the household to get off the phone so you can connect to the Internet.

Do I need a special line?
No. DSL service will utilize the existing copper telephone line that you're already using for voice telephone calls.

Can I talk on the phone while surfing the Net?
Yes, you can talk and surf the net at the same time. The voice information is carried on different frequencies from the data.

Will DSL work for everyone?
DSL service won't work if your location is too far away, or if for other reasons your phone circuit won't support it. As a first step, when you apply for service, we will check and tell you whether your phone line can support DSL.

Is there anything special about LISCO's DSL?
Yes. It's ReachDSL from Paradyne. It will work where ordinary DSL won't. It will deliver faster, more reliable service over a longer distance than ordinary DSL. It has been specially engineered to overcome telephone circuit problems, such as bridge taps, that confound ordinary DSL.

Also, ReachDSL is symmetrical, which means that its upload and download speeds are the same. You can send files just as fast as you receive them. You will really appreciate this when you want to e-mail digital pictures of the kids to their grandparents.

Why is LISCO's DSL the best choice?
In addition to offering faster speeds for less money, LISCO has more experience delivering DSL technology than anyone else around. We've been providing it in Fairfield for years. When you sign up for DSL service with LISCO, you're getting the advantage of our expert knowledge and experience.

When will the new DSL service be available?
It's available now in Fairfield, Mt. Pleasant, Pella, Columbus Junction, Sigourney, Knoxville, and Ottumwa.

How do I sign up?
We are now taking orders for DSL from residents of Fairfield, Mt. Pleasant, Pella, Knoxville, Columbus Junction, and Ottumwa. For more information, call us at (641) 472-5400, or (800) 331-8414, then press 1.

About DSL Speed -- 80% of maximum is a good connection:
The following three paragraphs are from the DSL Reports Web site.

"A general rule of thumb for determining whether or not you have a good broadband connection is whether or not you are getting at least 80% of the maximum possible speed you could. There is a built in 'loss' due to overhead information that must be transmitted and a few other factors that immediately eat up about 13% of your bandwidth (speed). That means that the absolute best in a perfect setup would be 87% of your theoretical maximum. With other factors thrown in, the 80% rule of thumb was developed. Now, how to apply it."

"As one example, lets assume you have a 1.5/256 DSL connection. This means that the best you can ever do is to get 1500kbps (kilobits per second) as a download speed and 256kpbs upload. But at least 13% of that is going away for the overhead. 80% of 1500 is 1200kbps, and 80% of 256 is 204.8kbps. So if you have a 1.5/256 line and are getting speeds of 1200/204 or better, then you have a 'good' connection."

"If you are getting less than these numbers, the DSLR Tweaks forum is a good place to go to start optimizing the portion of the system that can help with these numbers."