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Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question, chances are we have the answer. We've grouped the most frequently asked questions into easy-to-use categories so you can get your answer quickly.

The Basics
What is DSL?
How fast is DIRECTV DSL™?
Is DIRECTV DSL™ available to all homes?
Do I need to install a new phone line to get DSL?
Why is the DIRECTV DSL™ gateway better than standard dial-up modems?
What's difference between DIRECTV DSL™ and Telocity?

DSL Connection
Does DSL affect the quality of my phone service?
Will DSL charges appear on my phone bill?
Can I use my new DSL line to make phone calls?
Do I still need my dial-up ISP?
How do I test my DSL Speed?
Can I access my email and the internet remotely?
What happens to my DIRECTV DSL™ service if I move?

About Email and Web
Do I get email?
Do I get personal Web pages?
Can I use my own domain name?
Why is my email address at directvinternet.com and not directvdsl.com?
What's the difference between a Web host and a domain name host?
Can my Web pages use Microsoft FrontPage extensions or CGI?

Technical Questions
Is there anything I should change about my computer?
Is there anything I should be aware of in my home environment?
Can I connect more than one computer to the DIRECTV DSL™ gateway?
Can I use my firewall with my DIRECTV DSL™ service?
Can I still use my fax software if I get DIRECTV DSL™ Service?

Advanced Technical Questions
What does a static IP address let me do?
How many static IP addresses can I get?
Can I host a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?
Can I run my own Web, FTP, DNS, SMTP, POP3, or other email server?
Is my connection through DIRECTV DSL™ a dial-up or LAN?
Does DSL support X-Windows, TELNET, and FTP?
Does the DIRECTV DSL™ gateway act as a DHCP host or client?

What is DSL?
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a technology that allows DIRECTV DSL™ to provide you with high-speed internet access over ordinary copper phone lines.

Current advances in DSL technology include wireless DSL. DIRECTV DSL™ does not currently provide wireless DSL.

ADSL
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) lets you use the same ordinary copper phone line for both your phone service and high-speed Internet connection. In other words, you can surf the Web and talk on the phone at the same time. This is accomplished by sending the DSL signal over the line at a higher frequency than is used by voice. The DSL is asymmetric in that download speeds can be up to 4 times faster than upload speeds.

How fast is DIRECTV DSL™ connection?
Downloads can be as fast as 1.5Mbps. Most pages will appear in a flash, and a large file that used to take minutes to download over a dial-up connection will load in seconds. Upload speed is typically 128Kbps.

The exact speed depends on the distance from your home to the DSL equipment in your phone company's central office; shorter distances yield a faster connection. The quality of a phone line (age, gauge, or the presence of devices that boost voice signals), and the quality of wiring in your home will also affect the speed.

Is DIRECTV DSL™ available to all homes
Chances are DIRECTV DSL™ High-Speed Internet service is available to your home. If you haven't already, you can check for availability now. If service isn't available, it's either because DIRECTV DSL™ has not rolled out service in your area, or your phone system does not support DSL. In general, DSL will not be available from any provider if:

Your phone company has not installed DSL equipment in the local facility that serves your home (also called the "CO" or Central Office).
Your home is too far from the Central Office. It must be within 2.5 miles or roughly between 12,000 and 18,000 feet.
Your phone company has installed equipment such as load coils on your line that boost voice signals but distort the DSL signal.
You have fiber-optic wiring to your phone, rather than the copper wires that are required for DSL.

If your home doesn't qualify now, there is hope. Phone companies are working quickly to install new equipment and increase the range limit, and new DIRECTV DSL™ service zones are rolling out every week. Therefore, you could qualify for DSL service sooner than you think.

* Additional charges may apply for upgrades to your home's inside wiring or your telephone line, if necessary, to support DSL.

Do I need to install a new phone line to get DSL?
If ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is offered in your area, your DIRECTV DSL™ connection and regular phone service can almost always share your existing phone line, so you don't have to install a new one. You'll only need an extra line if you live in an apartment or condominium that has three or more existing lines, or if you have a security system connected to your current line.

Why is the DIRECTV DSL™ gateway better than standard dial-up modems?

Three great reasons:

First. Easy setup! You don't have to install any new hardware. You simply connect the DIRECTV DSL™ gateway to your computer and DSL line phone jack, perform the automatic software installation, and you'll be surfing the Web within minutes.

Second. Our gateways work with almost any computer, as long as you have an Ethernet, USB, or, in some cases, parallel port (see Technical Specifications for details).

Third. The DIRECTV DSL™ gateway is reliable. We design and manufacture it ourselves, so we make extra sure it works smoothly and reliably with our network. Also, because it is separate from your computer, you can keep your gateway on even when you turn off your computer.

What's difference between DIRECTV DSL™ and Telocity?
There is no difference. Telocity is now DIRECTV DSL™, the service provided by DIRECTV Broadband, Inc.

Does DSL affect the quality of my phone service?
No. With ADSL you can make calls while surfing the Web, and your phone reception is just as crisp and clear as ever. And of course the phone still works when the DIRECTV DSL™ gateway is unplugged or turned-off.

Will DSL charges appear on my phone bill?
You will be billed for all phone lines in your home, however, your DIRECTV DSL™ charge will be billed by DIRECTV Broadband, Inc. separately.

Do I still need my dial-up ISP?
No. You'll receive dial-up access to your email accounts from DIRECTV DSL™. When you travel and want to check your email, you'll need to use this dial-up connection because your DSL connection is associated with your DSL phone number. However, if you use on-line banking or another service that is not web-based, you may want to keep your dial-up modem to use for that connection.

How do I test my DSL Speed?
There are a number of internet testing services available to test your DSL speed. Try searching for "DSL speed test" on http://www.google.com/, or going to http://www.dslreports.com and searching for their DSL speed tests and patches.

Can I access my email and the internet remotely?
Yes. With our toll-free number, you can access the Internet from anywhere in the country, over a dial-up connection, and the first 60 minutes each month are free.

Use a laptop, or desktop, to surf the Web and get email from any location that has a phone jack. Of course, you'll be using an analog dial-up modem, so you won't get the same speed that you get with your DIRECTV DSL™ connection, but you will be able to surf the Net and access your e-mail accounts.

What happens to my DIRECTV DSL™ service if I move?
If you move to an area where DIRECTV DSL™ service is available, and your new home does not need new wiring, we will transfer service free of charge.

Do I get email?
Absolutely. With DIRECTV DSL™ service, you get up to five e-mail addresses. This means that five people in your household can receive e-mail at their personal address, which will be UserName@directvinternet.com. If you currently have a different e-mail address with your dial-up service, you'll need to start using your directvinternet.com address. To notify friends, family, and colleagues of your new address, just send a message to everyone in your address book to inform them that you've switched to DSL from DIRECTV DSL™ High-Speed Internet (some people experience an increase in popularity just by doing so).

Do I get personal Web pages?
Yes. Each customer account can have up to five Web addresses (also called URLs). Each address ends in directvinternet.com/~YourName, where "YourName" identifies your domain for each personal Web page. If you would like to register a more personal domain for a custom Web address, please see below.

Can I use my own domain name?
Yes. You can use your own domain name for custom Web pages. For example: www.(YourSiteHere).com or http://www.(YourSiteHere).com as the Web address for your DIRECTV DSL™ Web page. You can even host your site on your computer, and have your domain name point to your IP address. You would need to support this yourself. First, register your domain name with a registration service like Network Solutions or Register.com (fees may apply). Once you become a DIRECTV DSL™ customer, we'll provide you the procedure that's needed to register your domain name or point your URL to the proper servers. If you're already a DIRECTV DSL™ member, please see the Member site for more information.

Why is my email address at directvinternet.com and not directvdsl.com?
Email and Web pages are stored on servers at directvinternet.com.

What's the difference between a Web host and a domain name host?
DIRECTV DSL™ can host your personal Web pages on our servers at directvinternet.com, which means our servers hold your pages, picture files, and other content. This makes us your Web host. To register a "dot-com", "dot-net", "dot-edu", or similar domain, please go to a registration service like Network Solutions or Register.com (fees may apply) In most cases, you will need to pay them an annual fee to maintain the name, and you'll need to inform them of your DIRECTV DSL™ server names.

Can my Web pages use Microsoft FrontPage extensions or CGI?
Not currently. We may support this in the future.

Is there anything I should change about my computer?
Probably not. If you bought or upgraded your computer within the last few years, it's probably equipped to handle a DIRECTV DSL™ connection. The only change you might need to consider is if your Windows PC doesn't already have an Ethernet card, you may want to install one to get the best performance. Ethernet cards are inexpensive and rather simple to install. Macintosh, Linux, or UNIX computers need Ethernet for their DIRECTV DSL™ connection, but most of these computers already come equipped with it. For more information, see the related Technical Specifications.

Is there anything I should be aware of in my home environment?
Your home environment can affect your DSL connection and speed. Consult with Sales if any of the following conditions need further explanation:

Halogen lamps when placed near your DSL line adversely affect your connection
Some security systems may disrupt your DSL connection
Bad wiring in your home can adversely affect your DSL connection
Extreme weather (electrical storms) can adversely affect your DSL connection
Rolling blackouts adversely affect your DSL connection

Can I connect more than one computer to the DIRECTV DSL™ gateway?
Yes. You can share your DIRECTV DSL™ among computers within a small home network using any of several DSL router products. The product should be capable of IP masking and NAT (Network Address Translation), and include an Ethernet hub (10Base-T or 10/100Base-T). Follow the router's installation instructions to connect your home network to the router and the router to the gateway.

Can I use my firewall with my DIRECTV DSL™ service?
Yes. You can use virtually any off-the-shelf firewall with your DIRECTV DSL™ connection. Simply install it following the manufacturer's instructions. Firewall protection is also an enhanced feature of our Connect and Protect™ upgrade. For details, click here.

Can I still use my fax software if I get DIRECTV DSL™?
Most likely. If your fax software uses an analog modem that's already installed in your computer (and most fax software does), just keep using it the way you have been, with the modem connected to your phone jack. Faxing should continue to work as usual. Another option is to sign up for one of several online services that allow faxing via the Internet.

What does a static IP address let me do?
DSL providers often connect your computer to a different physical location (IP address) each time you connect to the Internet, using whatever address is currently available (this is known as a dynamic IP address). With DIRECTV DSL™, you're assigned a personal IP address that doesn't change (known as a static IP address), which only you use. It's your IP address, every time, all the time. You do not have to share it with any other users outside of your home. With a static IP address, you can do great things that you can't do with a dynamic IP address, such as:

Host Web pages on your own computer; just pick up the appropriate server software and install it according to manufacturer specifications
Host your own FTP site or email server
Access a corporate network and work from home
Use third-party software to work remotely over a virtual private network (VPN)

How many static IP addresses can I get?
We currently provide one static IP address with your service.

Can I host a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?
YES! That's one of the reasons we assign each customer a static IP address. You may use your static IP address and any off-the-shelf VPN software, which you'll set up and manage yourself.

Can I run my own Web, FTP, DNS, SMTP, POP3, or other email server?
Yes. You may use your static IP address and any off-the-shelf VPN software, which you'll set up and manage yourself.

Is my DIRECTV DSL™ a dial-up or LAN?
It's a LAN connection. The DIRECTV DSL™ gateway is a router and doesn't perform any type of modulation/demodulation.

Does DIRECTV DSL™ support X-Windows, TELNET, and FTP?
Yes. These protocols can all be used over a DSL line, as can any Internet addressable traffic that can be carried over TCP/IP.

Does the DIRECTV DSL™ gateway act as a DHCP host or client?
When you first install the DIRECTV DSL™ gateway, it acts as a DHCP client to receive an IP address from the server. It retains that address permanently as your static IP address. Each time you connect to the Internet thereafter, the DIRECTV DSL™ gateway acts as a DHCP host assigning an IP address to your computer (or to each computer in your home network, if you're using Network Address Translation).

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