The voice calls that you make using a standard telephone call travel between you and the telephone exchange via a pair of twisted copper wires, under the ground or via overhead cables. This 'twisted pair' only uses a narrow band of the bandwidth that the line is physically able to support because our ears can only hear sounds within a certain frequency range (typically 0 to 400 Hertz). This spare 'broad' bandwidth remained unused for many years until ADSL technology (or broadband as it is also known) technology arrived and exploited it. Broadband uses this spare bandwidth on the line to send and receive data to and from your computer at high speeds.
What does ADSL stand for?
ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. Because the download speed is faster than the upload speed (users traditionally download more data than they upload), the service is described as being Asymmetric. Not all DSL services are asymmetric and it is possible to buy services which have identical, or symmetric upload and download speeds called SDSL.
If you have experienced the internet through a dial-up connection you'll be surprised at how much more you can do with a broadband connection. Broadband is helping the internet to realise its full potential and really brings it to life. Downloading music and movies is almost 40 times faster than with a traditional dial-up connection, as is real-time streaming. Browsing is no longer a chore, with web pages loading at the click of a mouse, and online gamers can enjoy a much faster and satisfying gaming experience. Home-working becomes much more realistic with the ability to be on the phone and browse simultaneously whilst enjoying access to your emails at speeds similar to those of most internal office networks. Whichever way you look at it, broadband is the future of the internet.
Broadband services allow you to send and receive data at a much faster rate than traditional dial-up services. Typically, download speeds range from 500 Kbps to 2 Mbps (approx 9 to 36 times faster than speeds offered by a 56K modem) with an upload speed of 256 kbps.
CYes. Broadband only uses the spare frequency left over from voice calls, so you can use your service at the same time as making a telephone call or sending a fax. To split the voice and data signal you will require a small device called a micro-filter for each telephone socket that supports a phone or fax. You can buy these from most computing/electronic stores or when you buy a modem or router from us. Note - your telephone calls and line rental will still be billed at the usual rate by your line provider.
When your telephone services provider connects your line to the broadband equipment at the exchange, they aggregate 20 or 50 lines together to share the connection (20:1 or 50:1). Theorectically, this means that you are sharing your bandwidth with between 20 and 50 users at the same time, and as such could receive just a 50th of the bandwidth. In practice however, two users rarely request a piece of information down the line at the exact same millisecond as each other and as such the connection speed is not noticeably slowed.
BROADBAND sends/receives data on a higher frequency than voice calls, which makes the signal harder to maintain over degraded lines or long distances. Some of the factors which may prevent delivery of broadband are:
Exchange distance - A broadband signal can only travel over certain distances before the signal starts to degrade and the equipment at either end cannot 'hear' it. The maximum length is unlimited, but speeds available will depend on line quality. Because of natural geographic features (like rivers) the line between you and the exchange may travel via a longer route than it looks. Also, you may find you are not served by the exchange nearest to you - telephone exchanges can often be built after your property was and therefore didn't exist to connect to at the time. Newer properties may find that the nearest exchange is at full capacity and have to be routed to an exchange further afield.
Line Degradation - Copper is very good at conducting signals but has the downside of being rather unstable and prone to degradation. Consequently, older wires may be able to support a voice call but not stable enough to carry a broadband signal.
Interference - Sometimes the wires between you and your local exchange may run near other cabling that may interfere with the broadband signal to such an extent that the 'listening' devices at either end cannot hear it properly.
Broadband operates at much higher frequencies than voice calls and sends data in much denser streams. This means that small losses of signal or any interference that would not be very noticeable on a voice call, would mean corruption of data on broadband signal or even loss of connection altogether. Often, if you are far away from your exchange, BT will attached amplifiers to you line to boost the signal. Unfortunately, these amplifiers are not compatible with broadband as they amplify the voice signal into the frequency that broadband uses, making broadband unsupportable.
Unlike dial-up services, you can connect to your broadband service at any time without incurring additional costs. In this sense, you only need to connect to the service once, when the service is switched on and can choose to leave the service 'always on' even when you are not using it. Note - for PAYGO services, charging is dependant on the amount of bandwidth used when connected.
Other than your PC or Mac, you will need either a broadband modem or router plus a micro-filter for each of your telephone sockets which have devices plugged into them:
Micro-filter(s) - Micro-filters split the signal into broadband and voice data and make sure that each type of signal does not bleed into the other. You can buy micro-filters from most computer retailers or from our online shop. Please note, our support Team are unable to offer technical assistance for any devices not supplied by Lixxus.
Broadband Modem - This device is usually used with single user broadband connections and is used to convert the signal from your computer into a signal that can be transmitted down the phone line and vice versa. You can buy a broadband modem from most computer retailers or from our online shop. Please note, our Support Team are unable to offer technical assistance for any devices not supplied by Lixxus.
Broadband Router - Used with multi-user (or networked) broadband services, the router directs the traffic from all the users and manages the connection between you and your service provider. You can buy a broadband router from most computer retailers or from our online shop. Please note, our support Team are unable to offer technical assistance for any devices not supplied by Lixxus.
IP addresses are the internet's way of identifying devices such as computers and servers from one another. IPs can either be dynamic - which means your service provider gives you an IP address from a pool each time you connect to them, or fixed/static - where you keep the IP address allocated to you at the outset. Usually a single static or dynamic IP address will suffice for most single user set-ups. When an office network of computers and/or other devices are involved, they may need additional IP addresses. Devices such as firewalls and web servers usually require static IP addresses for instance. To discuss your requirements you can call our Sales Team on 0845 456 6301.
NAT (Network Address Translation) is a method that routers employ to turn a single externally facing IP address into many internal IPs. Because most desktops do not need their IP addresses to be visible outside of the network, the router uses one external IP address to go and grab information from outside of the network and then delivers it back to your desktop using an internal IP that just it and other desktops can recognize. Using NAT is more secure that non-NAT as requests sent to internal IP addresses will be automatically discarded by the router.
Non-NAT is the opposite of NAT in that each desktop is given an externally facing IP address. Some networks will require this set-up as some devices like firewalls and webs servers require externally facing IPs, but it is less secure than NAT and therefore should be avoided where possible. Note - the organisation that manages and distributes IP address - RIPE - require a form to be completed for any applications that require more than a single IP address. You will be prompted to supply the required explanatory network set-up details when requesting multiple IP addresses. Our Support Team will send you a RIPE justification form on receipt of your order.
Yes. ISDN uses a different technology from broadband and send signals over digital lines as opposed to the existing lines used for your voice calls. ISDN runs at two speeds - 64K or 128K - so is typically at least a quarter of the speed of entry level broadband
Lixxus will send you confirmation of your line conversion date by email a few days before it is due to go live. When this date is reached you should plug your modem or router in and connect using the configuration guides. You should then find that the connection light on your equipment is solid green. If the light is red or flashing, please refer to our trouble shooting guide or give our Support Team a call.
If you have a modem or router and would like to plug it in to anticipate the live date, the connection light on your equipment turning from a flashing state to solid green will signal the activation of the line. Note - this indicates that the line between you and the exchange has been activated but not necessarily switched on at the Lixxus side.
For single user connections like that shown in figure 2, you should have a PC/laptop or Mac, a modem, and a micro-filter for each telephone socket in use. Simply plug your phone or fax into micro-filter socket marked 'telephone' and plug the modem into the DSL port. Plug the USB cable into the USB port of the modem and then follow the instructions on your start-up disk. For more detailed information please refer to our configuration guides.
In the first instance you should reboot your equipment and then check that all of your wiring is connected securely. If you have recently installed security software onto your machine, you should check that the settings are not preventing you connecting by turning the application off or un-installing the software altogether. If you have recently installed an updated version of your operating system, you should try rolling back to the previous version, rebooting, and trying again to connect. If all of these checks fail to get you connected, you can call our Support Team on 0845 456 6313. You will need to be near your computer when you call so they can go through some checks with you over the phone.
Wireless broadband is simply the use of wireless hardware to broadcast the broadband signal internally without using wires. Broadband is delivered to you in the usual manner and the wireless equipment is added by you. Typically, a wireless router is used to send/receive data to and from machines that contain wireless cards.
Note - this shouldn't be confused with 'Wires Only' broadband, which is a term used to describe broadband installations that do not require a BT engineer to visit your premises and install a modem or router. These days most installations do not require engineer visits and all Lixxus services are 'self install' services.
Theoretically yes. If the contract you have entered into with your current provider allows you to migrate, you just need to contact them to obtain your 'MAC' (Migration Authorisation Code) and then complete our online provider Migration Form. We will then contact your provider on your behalf to request a service takeover. Migrations can take up to 15 working days. Your provider has 10 days to reply before the request is rejected. Note - as a provider migration is simply a change of ownership, your service type and speed will remain the same. If you currently have a 1M connection with your existing provider, the service will be a 1M connection when it moves over.
Usually. To change the speed of your Lixxus broadband service, just drop us an email to support@lixxus.co.uk quoting your UID and the speed you want to change to. Speed regrades can take up to 10 working days and may include some downtime. Note - an administration fee of £30 is applicable and will be debited from your debit/credit card.
Absolutely. Lixxus broadband is simply a faster way to connect you to your email and the internet. Your email address will remain the same and you will only need to change the outgoing mail server name in your mail client to relay0.lixxus.net. For a more detailed explanation on how to change your mail settings click here.
Possibly not. Any services that occupy the bandwidth used by broadband cannot co-exist on the same line. To check to see if BT think you have any of these incompatible services, enter your line/postcode details into our online broadband checker and press check now. If you do not agree with the results this may be because BTs records are not up to date, in which case you should call them on 150/152 and ask them to amend their records before re-trying.
*** As of July 2003, BT Redcare Services are compatible with broadband but cannot support a fax or phone at the same time.
Broadband incompatible services as of 15/11/2005:
ISDN 30
Red ABC alarm services
RedCare installed before 31st July 2003 will continue to report incompatible.
Caller Display CD50. There are no known problems with other caller display types
The provisioning time for broadband can depend on how much work the line provider needs to carry-out to enable the service on you line and which service you have opted for. Generally, the lead-time for lower bandwidth, entry-level products such as Start Basic is 5-7 working days. Higher specification, higher bandwidth services can take longer. Lixxus will endeavor to deliver your broadband service in the shortest possible time without compromising the quality of the connection. For a list of more specific install times please refer to the appropriate product page.
At Lixxus we pride ourselves in providing all the information you could ever need so you never feel left in the dark. To this end we have provided an online order-tracking console that allows you to track your order throughout its provisioning life-cycle and keep up to date with any status changes. In addition, we will keep you informed with emails at all stages of the order progression. To view yoru order status, simply click on Login>Customer Login at the head of this page and type enter your UID and Website Passwrd in the boxes provided.
Yes, Lixxus Broadband is compatible with both PC and Mac based platforms and our support team has extensive experience with helping Mac users. Lixxus are a Mac friendly provider.
All the software you will need to connect to us will be supplied with your modem or router. Just insert the manufacturers CD and follow the installation process. All of the variable details specific to Lixxus and your service will be supplied to you by email prior to install.
Luckily, you do have the opportunity to affect which exchanges BT convert. BT have run a pre-registration scheme since June 2002 that invites customers to register their interest in getting their local exchange broadband enabled. To make sure that converting the exchange will be worth their while, BT work out how many users would need to sign up for broadband before it becomes financially viable and then set a 'trigger level' for that exchange. When a trigger level has been reached, BT go through the list of interested customers to check that they are all genuine (and that there are no duplicates) then set to work on converting the exchange. This usually takes about 3 or 4 months.
You can only register interest via a service provider who then passes on your request to BT. You can register interest though Lixxus via our online pre-registration page. Note - registering an interest in converting your exchange does not tie you into any contractual obligations with Lixxus (but we would like to think that you would choose us as your broadband provider once the exchange is ready).
Yes. Because you still have a contract with BT to supply your voice calls you need to carry on paying your line subscription to them as normal. Lixxus will bill any charges for your broadband service/usage plus any Lixxtalk calls directly.
At Lixxus we have decided to channel all our expertise into providing an excellent range of broadband services. We believe that focusing on supplying broadband helps us to keep things simple for our customers and also ensures that we don't spread ourselves too thinly. You can therefore either remain with your current email/hosting provider or use a third party.
You can currently track your order and view your bandwdith usage via our Lixxus Online User Interface admin portal. More features will be added in the future.
Just drop an email to support@lixxus.co.uk quoting your UID and the speed you would like to change to. Please note that a £30 speed regrade fee is applicable.
We can't specify which hardware will work with our service simply because there is such a wide choice and all may act differently with our service depending on your machine. The only guidelines we can offer is that any modem/router you use should be g.dmt and PPPoA compatible. All of our supplied kit has been extensively tested with our supported platforms (see what platforms do you support?).
This will vary completely depending on how you wish to use the internet, and in what type of locations. As a general rule people with one machine will need either a USB modem or a PCI modem card (Internal PC modem) to connect to the internet. However those with more than one machine, such as small to medium business's, families or gamers, may be more suited to a router to allow multiple computers to use the internet simultaneously. Gamers may wish to note that consoles such as Xbox and Playstation 2 will require an ethernet port to connect to, and as such would also be more suited to a router. If you are in any doubt as to which modem type is suited to you, feel free to call us up to discuss the options with you.
Unfortunately, your connection will have to be ceased and you will be liable to pay for the remaining term of your contract. If you require broadband at your new premises you will need to place a new order (subject to ADSL availability and survey) which will be processed and provisioned in the usual way.
Updating your details with BT can sometimes result in your broadband service being disconnected (e.g. change of ownership). This is because BT regard this as a re-provision of service, which results in all services carried over the original line being cased. This can often result in a loss of services for a number of weeks. Please check with BT before you make any changes to your details/contract.
If for whatever reason your BT line becomes unavailable, we will not be able to deliver broadband to you. It is the customers responsibility to provide a compatible BT analogue line for Lixxus to supply the service over and failure to do so will result in loss of service and possible request for settlement of all subscription fees.
If you can't find what you are looking for or would like to speak to a Lixxus representative about your requirements please contact us:
