Self-Install Option Hardware Requirements
Minimum PC Specification
Windows 98SE/2000
Pentium 200MHz
32Mb RAM
150Mb Free on Hard Drive
4-speed CD-ROM Drive
Video display 800x600, 256 colours
SVGA Monitor
16 bit Sound Card
Minimum Mac Specification
PowerPC 601 or equivalent 200Mhz
32MB RAM
2-speed CD-ROM player
Video display 800 x 600 / 256 colours
100MB free on hard drive
Mac OS 8.6
Note that broadband hardware may have additional requirements, please check before purchasing.
ADSL Modem or ADSL Router
You will require a suitable ADSL connection device which is compatible for use with the UK BT ADSL IPStream service. This is normally a USB ADSL Modem, PCI ADSL Modem or an ADSL Router. As a guide, the following protocols must be supported by your ADSL Modem:
ADSL Modulation: G.DMT or ANSI T1.413
Encapsulation Mode: PPP over ATM (PPPoA - RFC2364) VC-MUX
It is your responsibility to ensure that the ADSL hardware you purchase is compatible with the Computer equipment you intend to use.
ADSL can be used on practically any operating system (Mac, Linux, Windows etc) with the use of an ADSL Ethernet router, provided your computer equipment has Ethernet networking support.
USB and PCI modems tend to be for Windows only, although drivers for other operating systems may be available from the equipment manufacturer. Specifications for equipment we supply can be found on our website.
We advise you to check equipment compatibility directly with the equipment vendor before ordering ADSL.
Please Note: Due to power limitations on some PC motherboards (ie the Via KT7 range), it may be necessary to purchase an external powered USB hub in order to use a USB modem.
Micro Filters (aka ADSL Splitters)
A Micro Filter separates the voice signal from the Broadband ADSL signal and must be used on your phone line if you intend to use your line for both analogue (voice / fax) calls and Broadband ADSL. The number of Micro Filters you require will vary depending on how many extensions are in use in your home. All phones or other equipment on your line must pass through a Micro Filter.
Appropriate cabling for connection (To use an Ethernet router your computer must be equipped with a 10 BASE T Ethernet port.)
Physical Setting
The proposed installation location for the router/modem must be less than 30 metres from the existing PSTN master socket.
A 13 Amp, 240V AC mains socket must be within 2 metres of the proposed installation location for the router/modem hardware.
It is your responsibility to ensure that there are enough mains socket outlets to support both the ADSL product hardware and your computer equipment.
Network Address Translation (NAT) Information
The NAT version of Ethernet-connected ADSL provision is supplied with a single Static IP address for your router's WAN interface.
NAT provision will assign your internal network the private address range of 192.168.254.1-253, with DHCP serving in the range of 1 to 199 (these being available to end users PCs) and addresses 200 to 253 are available as Static addresses on the end user sub-net.
Alternate subnets and DHCP ranges are supported and you should specify the desired address range during signup.
Telephone Line Requirements
BT can only provide a single BT IPStream service over a single BT (or Calls & Access) PSTN exchange line.
You must have a valid contract for the use of a BT analogue Direct Exchange Line forming part of the BT network over which the BT IPStream service will be delivered. If you rent your premises then you must have a valid contract for a BT provided PSTN line. The contract for the BT PSTN must be with you and not your landlord.
You must be using a BT exchange upgraded to support ADSL. Orders placed on exchanges which are due to be upgraded under the BT Demand led Exchange activation programme will be queued until a time when ADSL can be supplied.
ADSL is a fixed location service. Should you move or require ADSL from a different location you will be required to pay a new activation fee and a nominal admin fee. Any contract period you hold with us will NOT be affected by this change.
BT IPStream Incompatibilities
BT IPStream is NOT compatible with the following BT services:
Subscriber private metering
A facility which allows a customer to monitor their call charges and time spent on the phone through a specially fitted meter which responds to pulses sent down the line from the exchange. These pulses would interfere with the operation of ADSL and so ADSL cannot be used on a line with one of these services.
30k Loop
This is a service which enables a customer to move their telephone line to a new area, even if this is outside the range served by their original area code. For example, taking your 0114 number to the 0113 dialling code. In this case, the line length would be too long for ADSL to function.
Private Circuits
A high-speed direct digital link provided by BT. If a telephone line is already being used to deliver a BT digital data service it cannot also be used for ADSL.
red abc, red care, redcare isdn, redline or red abc
A type of alarm monitoring service. If your alarm sounds (fire, burglar etc) a signal is sent to a monitoring centre who then contact the Police. BT redcare works with ADSL, providing your alarm system has been fitted with a redcare MCD (Modem Compatibility Device). You should confirm this with your alarm supplier before ordering ADSL.
FeatureNet 5000 services
A virtual telephone management system operated by BT for very large organisations who require more flexibility and control over their telephone systems.
Meterpulse facility
A service similar to Subscriber Private Metering that allows the users of special handsets to display the costs of ongoing calls.
PBX lines
A system where your telephone line is connected to a switchboard or switching unit, or where multiple phone numbers are routed through a single line. If you have to dial a number or press a key before dialling an outside line, or your company has a reception desk and extension telephones, you will probably have a PBX system. In this case, a direct line would be needed, such as may already be installed for the company fax machine to receive inbound calls. ADSL can be used on an existing fax or modem line provided the line satisfies the other ADSL requirements.
BT DataStream / Existing IPStream Service
If a telephone line is already being used to deliver a BT digital data service it cannot also be used for ADSL.
BT VideoStream
VideoStream is a version of DSL specifically designed to carry video signals (eg television pictures). If a telephone is already being used to carry one form of DSL it cannot be used to carry another at the same time, and so would not be suitable for ADSL.
Please note that the above list of incompatible services is not exhaustive and other incompatibilities may be detected during the initial BT survey of your line.
If you are unsure if any of these services exist on the telephone number or line you plan to use for your broadband connection, please contact BT who will be able to check for you. If you have a residential telephone line, contact BT by dialling 150 or 0800 800 150. Customers using a business telephone line can contact BT on 152 or 0800 800 152.
If any of the above services are being used on your telephone line/number it will not be possible to install ADSL on that line. If you have other lines coming to your building it is worth checking with BT which services these lines carry as it is likely that one or more of them will be ADSL compatible.
BT IPStream is NOT compatible with the following BT Customer Premise Equipment:
* Caller Display Unit - CD50
Again, please be aware that this list is not exhaustive.
Effects of ADSL Installation
Analogue modems used on the PSTN line may operate at a reduced speed when the service has been installed. You may also notice some degradation in voice line quality following ADSL activation.
Activating your telephone line for ADSL may affect security or burglar alarm systems that use PSTN service. You should check the compatibility of such systems by referring to their suppliers before signing up for an account.
If you have added extension sockets or wiring to your telephone line, as opposed to any work done by a skilled professional, you may experience problems with your ADSL connection. It is your responsibility to ensure that your telephone wiring is of a suitable standard for the service we provide.
ADSL Availability
ADSL is NOT universally available, even if you initially qualified for ADSL via an Availability checker. This is related to the physical characteristics of your telephone line. Even if your premises are within 3.5 km of your ADSL enabled BT telephone exchange (6km for ADSL 512kbps products, using RADSL), BT can offer no guarantee that ADSL will work. Please Note: If your line is deemed as unsuitable for ADSL by BT, we may not be able to advise why as this information is not provided to us.
