EasyStreet ISDN Frequently Asked Questions

What is ISDN?

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is a high-speed switched digital telephone network. The regular phone network is analog. Being digital, each ISDN line supports up to 128 Kbps—just over four times the speed of analog modems. ISDN is a cost-effective solution for connecting mid-size LANs to the Internet. Physically, an ISDN line runs on the same type of wire as your regular phone. If you have multiple standard lines running into your business, you can easily have one changed over to an ISDN line, or your telephone company can run a new line.

Electrically, an ISDN line consists of "channels." Standard ISDN service uses two B-channels and one D-channel. Each B-channel supports up to 64 Kbps. The D-channel is used for dialing. The 2 B-channels are combined—the technical term is "bonded" —to deliver up to 128 Kbps. Thus, the standard ISDN service is called "2B+D."

To use ISDN for your Internet connection, you need an ISDN phone line and an ISDN modem or an ISDN router. An ISDN modem connects individual PCs and Macs. An ISDN router connects a LAN.

What are channel hours?

ISDN connections are measured in channel-hours. An ISDN channel-hour is defined as one hour of connect time with one ISDN B-channel (64kbps). An hour of connect time with both channels (128kbps) equals two channel-hours.

What about the necessary equipment?

For individual dial-in connections, EasyStreet works with all major ISDN adapters. For LAN connections, we recommend the Netopia R3100 series of ISDN dial-up routers.

What about pricing and ordering?

EasyStreet pricing for ISDN is $59.95 monthly or $359.70 for six months and $647.46 annually, plus a $30 initial setup charge. Contact your telephone company for ordering your DSL line and their line costs.

Verizon customers: Small business, 800-483-5100; Large business, 800-483-6000 or your Verizon account representative.

Qwest customers: Home office, 800-898-9675; Business, call Matrix Communications at 503-654-3000.