ISDN Information
The first thing that you will need when setting up an ISDN account
is to order the line from your local phone company. The next thing that
you will need is a special ISDN modem or router (you can purchase one
online or at a local computer store.) Once you have these two things you
will need to come back to our site and sign up for Internet Access Service.
Ordering ISDN line service can sometimes be confusing and frustrating.
We've prepared this step-by-step guide to get you up and running with
ISDN service, this document also serves as a worksheet for you to use.
Step 1: "Can I get ISDN service on my phone line?"
Call your local telephone company and ask a representative if you can
get ISDN service on your phone line. This is necessary because the advanced
features of ISDN (e.g., high-speed data connections for Internet access
and video conferencing) are more demanding of your phone line than Plain
Old Telephone Service (POTS).
It will take your phone company one to five days to tell you if ISDN is
available. When you call them the first time, make sure to ask them when
you should expect an answer!
You can get three answers to this question from your phone company:
1. Yes, your line is fine for ISDN with no changes needed!
2. Yes, we can give you ISDN, but we'll have to add some extra equipment
on your line. This may mean an additional installation charge and an additional
monthly fee. Ask your phone company for the details!
3. No, we cannot offer ISDN to you at this time. If this is the
answer, you might want to ask when ISDN availability is planned.
When the phone company calls back with your results, make sure you
ask for installation, monthly, and usage charges. Record this information
in the box below.
Step 2. "When Can I Get My ISDN Line Installed?"
You'll probably be asked if you want to order your ISDN line when the
phone company calls back with the results of Step 1. If you have not heard
from them in four days give them a call.
When you talk with the phone company to order your ISDN service, you'll
be asked several questions, including what kind of "provisioning" you
want on your line. "Provisioning" simply describes the kinds of things
you will be doing with your service.
ISDN Order Codes
ISDN Order Codes are a way of telling your service provider exactly
what specific set of ISDN Services and Features you require. Each ISDN
Order Code (IOC) refers to a particular set of these features. IOCs refer
only to Basic Rate ISDN features.
ISDN Order Code Features
- B One B-channel, provisioned as data and including Calling Line (Number)
Identification.
- R Two B-channels, provisioned as data and including Calling Line
(Number) Identification.
- S Two B-channels, provisioned as data or voice.
Step 3. "What do I need for installation?"
When you order your ISDN service, make sure you ask when to expect
the installer! Within six days of placing your order - before the installer
actually does his/her work - you should receive something from the phone
company that gives you information about your ISDN service. If you don't
get the information from your phone company, call them and ask for it!
Fill in the box below and have the information ready to verify with the
installer when he/she comes out.
If the switch type that the phone company gives you is not listed in the
box above, ask which one most closely matches the switch. An ISDN line
can have one or two ISDN phone numbers, and zero, one, or two SPIDs (Service
Profile Identifier).
Step 4. "The Installer is here"
When the phone company installer comes to complete your ISDN installation,
you need to make sure that the information you received (and recorded
above in Step 3) agrees with the information the installer has. So, before
the installer leaves, go over your list with him/her to make sure that
your ISDN Phone Number(s) and Service Profile ID(s), and your switch type
and protocol are correct.
Ask the installer to test your ISDN line to verify the correct ISDN Phone
Number(s) and SPID(s). When you're sure of the correct numbers, record
them in the box provided in Step 4 and keep this document for future reference
(e.g., you will need this information when you're installing ISDN equipment).
Step 5. "Now that you have your ISDN line ..."
Now you'll need to come back to our site and sign up for Internet Connection
service.
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