AT&T Fast Access® Business DSL - FAQs
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) technology uses existing telephone lines to carry both voice and data at the same time. This allows you to use one telephone line to access the Internet and talk or fax at the same time on the same phone line. With AT&T FastAccess DSL Service using a router, you can connect multiple computers to a single AT&T FastAccess DSL connection for one flat monthly price. Multiple users can share a AT&T FastAccess DSL connection with separate mailboxes — virtually eliminating the need for multiple dial-up accounts.
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is a technology for transmitting digital information at high bandwidths on existing telephone lines to homes and businesses. ADSL simultaneously accommodates both analog (voice) and digital data on the same line. ADSL is asymmetric in that it uses most of the channel to transmit downstream to the user and only a small part to receive information from the user.
AT&T FastAccess Business DSL allows you to search the Web and download large files at lightning-fast speeds. Internet activities like e-mail, downloading files, streaming audio/video, online research and distance learning are made faster and easier.
AT&T FastAccess Business can provide speeds with a maximum downstream ranging between 6.0Mbps–384Kbps and a maximum upstream ranging between 128Kbps–512Kbps, depending upon product selection.
Yes. DSL technology expands the capabilities of your existing telephone line. A DSL modem or router splits your single telephone line into two frequencies. AT&T FastAccess Business DSL uses the high frequency spectrum available on your telephone line to transmit data. This process does not interfere with the lower frequencies used during voice transmission. As a result, AT&T FastAccess DSL customers can use the Internet and talk on the telephone or fax at the same time.
Yes. Now you will have the capability to view video connections to your business partners with greater speed and clarity.
Note: Equipment and software not included.
Yes. AT&T FastAccess Business DSL comes with a back-up dial account that offers remote access to the Internet when at home or traveling. This dial account includes unlimited usage per month at no additional cost. However you will be responsible for any long distance or roaming charges that may be incurred for dial-up usage.
AT&T FastAccess Business DSL provides connection speeds much faster than your dial-up modem.
Average time to download a 3.75MB video clip (Min:Sec):
- 56Kbps dial-up modem: 09:09
- 1.5Mbps: 00:20
- 3.0Mbps: 00:10
- 6.0Mbps: 00:05
AT&T FastAccess Business DSL offers speeds up to 6.0Mb downstream and 512Kbps maximum upstream depending on product selection, making it even faster than ISDN. In addition, AT&T FastAccess Internet Business DSL sends data and voice over the same line so you can talk on the telephone while connected to the Internet.
Average time to download a 3.75MB video clip (Min:Sec):
- 64Kbps ISDN: 08:00
- 128Kbps ISDN: 04:00
- 1.5Mbps: 00:20
- 3.0Mbps: 00:10
- 6.0Mbps: 00:05
AT&T FastAccess Business DSL runs over your existing telephone line and provides you with a dedicated connection between your business and our network. No other users share your connection. Users of cable modems, on the other hand, share connections with other cable modem subscribers, rather than having a dedicated connection.
Learn about other differences between AT&T FastAccess DSL and cable Internet service.
You may enter your telephone number to determine if service is available for your office. If you do not yet have your telephone number and want to determine availability on the basis of your new address, please contact our representative.
Yes. In some cases, an individual customer location may have some telephone lines that qualify and some that do not. Since not all telephone lines in an area served by AT&T FastAccess DSL will qualify for service, you will want to enter all numbers to check availability.
Changing your telephone number changes the number assigned to your physical telephone line, not the line itself. As a result, changing your telephone number will not affect the current availability of AT&T FastAccess Service at your location.
We are testing new technology that may allow us in the future to deliver service to lines that are not currently eligible. If you are interested in other data solutions, please contact us.
Following are the top reasons why a telephone line does not pre-qualify for AT&T FastAccess Business DSL:
- Distance from the Central Office must be within 18,000 feet of the business or residence.
- The facilities serving the telephone line are not equipped to provide AT&T FastAccess DSL at this time.
- The telephone line has been enhanced with special equipment to provide better voice quality which disrupts the signal needed for AT&T FastAccess DSL.
- Changes in your local telephone service may affect AT&T's ability to provide DSL service to you.
AT&T continues to make enhancements and upgrades to increase the availability of AT&T FastAccess Service in the region. We are eager to provide you with AT&T FastAccess Business DSL, so please continue to visit us to see if AT&T FastAccess DSL has become available to you.
AT&T FastAccess Business DSL includes unlimited access to the Web including Internet service with fifteen separate mailboxes and 10Mb of space for building a personal Web page. The service also comes with a back-up dial account that offers access to the Internet when at home or traveling.
Note: Restrictions apply. See Terms and Conditions for details regarding back-up dial account.
The price for AT&T FastAccess Business Service does not include the cost for your telephone line. However, AT&T FastAccess DSL allows simultaneous voice and data transmission, so you will now be able to access the Internet and fax or talk on the telephone, at the same time using a single line.
Note: Does not include a back-up dial-in modem.
Use the Internet and talk or fax on the same phone line, at the same time. AT&T FastAccess DSL lets you get twice the value from your phone line. With a router, connect multiple computers to a single AT&T FastAccess DSL connection at no additional monthly cost. No need for multiple dial-up connections. Users can share a AT&T FastAccess DSL connection with fifteen separate mailboxes.
Click here to learn about current prices for AT&T FastAccess Business DSL.
Yes. Customers receive unlimited use of AT&T FastAccess DSL for one flat monthly rate without having to pay for extra hours.
Your AT&T FastAccess Business DSL charges will appear on your monthly AT&T telephone bill. Please note that you will be billed one month in advance for your service. In addition, your first bill will most likely contain fractional charges for the period of time when your service was initiated up to your bill date. If a modem or a router was required with your service, those charges will appear on the Other Charges and Credits section of your bill or these charges may also be applied to a credit card. You may also elect to have the monthly charges, or equipment charges, billed directly to your credit card. However, if you elect this option, you will not receive any separate itemization of your charges.
Click here to contact us with questions about your bill, you may e-mail or call us.
Yes. By visiting our billing page you can view and pay your bill online, stop receiving a paper bill, start receiving a paper bill, and update your billing e-mail address online.
AT&T FastAccess Business DSL Service access offers speeds up to 1.5Mbps downstream and 256Kbps upstream. This service is provided with a Dynamic IP address. AT&T FastAccess Business is often used for high-speed Internet access that will allow you to search the Web and download large files at lightning-fast speeds.
AT&T FastAccess Business DSL Lite offers speed up to 768Kbps downstream and 128Kbps upstream. This service is provided with Dynamic or Static IP addressing and Domain Name Service (DNS). AT&T FastAccess Business Lite is often used for single user applications with basic Web surfing and e-mail needs.
AT&T FastAccess Business DSL Plus offers speed up to 3.0Mbps downstream and 384Kbps upstream. This service is provided with Dynamic IP or Static IP addressing and Domain Name Service (DNS). AT&T FastAccess Business DSL Plus is often used for multi-user applications or any applications requiring high-speed bandwidth.
AT&T FastAccess Business DSL 6.0 offers speeds up to 6.0 Mbps downstream and 512Kbps upstream. This service is provided with Dynamic IP or Static IP addressing and Domain Name Service (DNS). AT&T FastAccess Business Static IP is often used for multi-user applications or any applications requiring high-speed bandwidth.
AT&T FastAccess Business Speed 384 offers speeds of 384Kbps both downstream and upstream. It is engineered to maximize availability and preserve a consistent 384Kbps to and from your router. This service is provided with single or multiple Static IP and Domain Name Service (DNS); five static IP addresses are available at no additional charge. This offering is well suited for applications that require consistent 2-way bandwidth such as video conferencing, distance learning, interactive audio/video and video on demand. Additionally, this product can be used for real time applications or prioritization of simultaneous network requests.
AT&T FastAccess Business Speed 768 offers speeds of 768Kbps downstream and 512Kbps upstream. It is engineered to maximize availability and preserve a 768Kbps x 512Kbps access speed to and from your router. This service is provided with single or multiple Static IP and Domain Name Service (DNS); five static IP addresses are available at no additional charge. This offering is well suited for server hosting, such as Web hosting and file transfer protocol (FTP) hosting or e-mail hosting. This product is recommended for applications requiring uploading of large files such as managing an e-commerce web site.
If you require higher upload speeds than 512 Kbps using applications such as video conferencing, large file transfers, distance learning or Web hosting, then AT&T FastAccess Business Speed 384 or 768 options would be more appropriate for your business needs.
Yes. You may switch between options as long as AT&T determines that your lines can support the requested speed option. If you request a switch during your order entry process, you should expect additional delays of several days while AT&T reconfigures your service in the network and arranges for the proper installation of your service.
Although AT&T specially engineers its network to support these speeds (384/384 or 768/512), the specified speed is not guaranteed because many components of the Internet may be slower than the DSL connection at any given point in time.
You may order AT&T FastAccess Service for your business online. If you do not currently have AT&T telephone service contact AT&T to establish your telecommunications service.
You may check the status of your order online. To make changes or ask questions about a pending order contact a AT&T FastAccess DSL Specialist at 1-866-213-6300.
If you are currently an AT&T customer for Internet access, you will be able to keep your current AT&T Internet Service e-mail address for use with your new AT&T FastAccess Business DSL connection. If you are a new AT&T Internet customer you will be provided with up to five new e-mail addresses at no additional cost.
Yes. Click here to place your order online.
You must contact the local AT&T Business Office to coordinate your move.
IP Addresses are numbers used to identify a specific location on the Internet, much like a phone number is used to identify a specific location on a telephone network. Every device connected to the Internet has a unique IP Address. For instance, a web site such as www.---.com would be assigned a unique numeric IP Address (222.222.22.222), much like your business has a unique phone number (222-222-2222). When a user types www.---.com into their browser, the software goes to an Internet directory, finds that the web site "lives" at IP Address 222.222.22.222, and connects to that address over the World Wide Web.
A Dynamic IP is an IP address that changes periodically. A different IP address may be assigned every time you connect to the Internet. This makes it more difficult for others to locate your computer or other device from elsewhere on the Internet.
If you want to host an e-mail, web, or FTP server onsite in your office, you will need a Static IP Address. Depending on the hardware and software you use, you may also need Static IP Addressing for Remote LAN Access, Virtual Private Networking (VPN) and hardware-based firewalls.
New and existing AT&T FastAccess DSL customers may order Static IP by placing their order on line.
You can always change your number of Static IP addresses. Block sizes are available for 1, 5, 13, 29, or 61. If you change your block size, your former IP addresses will be removed from your account, and a new block will be allocated to you. This will require that you reprogram your router and network for the new addresses and update any DNS assignments attached to your former IP addresses.
If you change among the AT&T FastAccess Business products with Static IP without changing the size of your Static IP address block, AT&T will make every effort to allow you to keep your previously assigned block. However, this cannot be guaranteed based on infrastructure availability for your selected service. If you change among services and change the size of your address block, you will always be assigned a completely new address block, and your former addresses will be lost.
Yes. AT&T FastAccess Business Speed 384 and 768 options are only available with the Static IP option and provide the option of a single Static IP address or 5 Static IP addresses at no additional charge. You can order more Static IP addresses up to a limit of 61 for additional monthly charges.
AT&T FastAccess Business Speed 384 and 768 options are only available with the Static IP option and provide the option of a single Static IP address or 5 Static IP addresses at no additional charge. You can order more Static IP addresses up to a limit of 61 for additional monthly charges.
Network Address Translation is an Internet standard that allows your local network to use private IP addresses, which are not recognized on the Internet and provide increased security. We encourage you to acquire an alternative software or hardware firewall protection should you need to turn NAT off.
AT&T recommends the SonicWALL hardware firewall for increased security which includes Anti-Virus and Content Filtering. This product may be ordered at http://www.insight.com.
A registrar, also known as a Domain Name Registration Service, is a company that inserts your domain name into a directory of all the domain names and their corresponding computers on the Internet. The registrar you choose will ask you to provide various contact and technical information that makes up the registration. The registrar will then keep records of the contact information and submit the technical information to a central directory known as the "registry." This registry provides other computers on the Internet the information necessary to send you e-mail or to find your web site. You will also be required to enter into a registration contract with the registrar, which sets forth the terms under which your registration is accepted and will be maintained. Each registrar sets the price it charges for registering names, and prices vary significantly among different registrars. In addition, some registrars offer discounted or free registration services in connection with other offerings.
DNS is the name resolution service for IP addresses that provides the text-based addresses for Internet resources. For example, DNS enables a server with the IP address of 182.255.109.6 to be found on the Internet as www.---.com. The DNS provides the protocol that allows clients (your computer) and servers (the Internet) to communicate with each other.
A mail (MX) record defines the relationship between mail addresses for users and the host name (address) of the machine that handles mail.
An alias, is a user-defined shorthand name for a domain name. For example, the alias for the domain name yourdomain.net could be yourdn.net. Aliases are generally used to save typing, especially when you want users to access a Web site using only a domain name and not a host name and server name. Instead of entering yourserver.yourdomain.net, users can enter the alias to access yourdomain.net.
A Top Level Domain (TLD) is the suffix part of a domain name (e.g., the .com in www.---.com). The suffix reflects whether the domain name is a country code or the content of the domain name. There are two types of Top Level Domains: National and Generic. National Top Level Domains, also called country code top-level domains, are two-letter abbreviations of countries and territories (e.g., .us stands for United States, .uk for United Kingdom). The list of NTLDs is rather long, with representation from almost all the major countries on Earth. Generic Top Level Domains reflect the content of the domains they contain rather than the geographical location (e.g., .com for commerce). The TLDs on this list are:
- .com, for companies
- .edu, for colleges and universities
- .gov, for government agencies
- .mil, for the military
- .net, for some Internet service providers
- .org, for nonprofit organizations
- .int, for international governmental agencies
- two-letter names identifying countries
To obtain a domain name you must register the name with a Domain Name Registration Service, commonly known as a Registrar. You can simply search the Internet, or choose from the list of accredited and accreditation-qualified registrars at Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (www.icann.org). Once you have chosen a name, you should conduct a search to determine if that domain name is available and no one else is already using it. Most domain name registration services offer the ability to search for existing domain names so you can determine whether the name you want to use is available or not.
Before you can use a custom domain name for your company you must first register your name. You may access www.internic.net for a list of certified domain name registrars.
If you order AT&T FastAccess Business Static IP, AT&T FastAccess Business Speed 384, or AT&T FastAccess Business Speed 768, Domain Name Service for 2 DNS domain names are included free in your service. After your service is provisioned and your Static IP addresses have been assigned, you will be directed to www.fastaccess.com/dns to set up your DNS. You will need to establish AT&T as your primary DNS server with your Domain Name Registrar, and as the technical contact for your Domain Name service. Additional DNS domain names are available for a nominal cost.
The domain transfer process can take place independent from your circuit installation process or other changes to your service. Follow these steps: Notify your previous Internet Service Provider (ISP) that you will be transferring your existing domain to our name servers. You will also need to notify your domain name registrar that you are transferring to us. The registrar must have AT&T.com listed as the "Primary Domain Server" and "AT&T.net" as the technical contact. Next you will need to go to our DNS Web site at http://www.fastaccess.com/dns, where you will enter your domain name, addresses and other DNS information. When the domain configuration on the ISP's name servers is verified as operational, the ISP submits a domain modification transfer request to domain name registrar. Your domain name registrar will e-mail the domain contact, which is you or someone in your business, for approval. The update causes the root or master name servers on the Internet to point to the ISP's name servers as responsible for your domain information. After your domain name registrar processes the update, the ISP's name servers are now authoritative sources of DNS information for your domain. Your DSL ISP should notify your ISP that they should remove your domain information from their name server's configuration files because they're no longer hosting the domain.
A Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) is the full name of a host, including all sub-domain and domain names, separated by dots. For example, www.yourdomain.com is an FQDN.
There is a maximum of 254 records per domain name allowed.
IP addresses for remote DNS servers are: External service names are:
- 205.152.37.25 auth00.dns.AT&T.net
- 205.152.144.25 auth01.dns.AT&T.net
- 205.152.132.25 auth02.dns.AT&T.net
Please provide your administrative and technical contact information to your domain name registrar.
The renewal of your domain name registration is your responsibility.
Our free AT&T FastAccess Connection Manager monitors your DSL signal and performs connection tests.
- Speeds up to 6.0Mbps downstream X 512 Kbps upstream. Download speeds may vary.
- Business speeds 384Kbps x 384Kbps and 768Kbps x 512Kbps available
- 15 mailboxes per account; 250MB storage per box
- 10MB personal Web space
- 1 Free New Domain Name and Custom email account (excludes AT&T FastAccess Business DSL Lite) with 6 month commitment
- Hosting an e-mail, FTP or applications server
- Allowing remote access to a LAN or Virtual Private Network
- Hosting a Web site
The following modems and routers have been tested by AT&T and confirmed to work with AT&T FastAccess DSL Service, and can be used with our Bring Your Own Modem or Router program.
Qualified/Supported by AT&T
Modems and routers purchased from AT&T receive full support by our technical support group and can either be self-installed or professionally installed. Listed below is a complete list of these products.
Modems:
- Alcatel SpeedTouch Home
- Alcatel A1000
- Motorola 2210N
- Westell WireSpeed 2100 (Dual Port)
- Westell WireSpeed 6100
- Netopia Cayman 3220H
- Netopia Cayman 3346
- Netopia 3347W
- Netopia 3347NWG
- 3Com HomeConnect PCI Card (Akita), (Seadra)
- Efficient Networks 3060
- Alcatel SpeedTouch USB
- Efficient Networks 4060
- Westell WireSpeed 2100
- Westell WireSpeed 6100
- Efficient SpeedStream 5667
- Nokia MW1122
- Westell WireSpeed DMT
- Efficient
- SpeedStream 5861
- Cisco SOHO 77
- Cisco 827
- PCI:
- Eicon - Diva Models 2430, 2430SE and 2440
No. AT&T FastAccess DSL operates over your existing telephone line, without interfering with voice or fax transmission. You can access the Internet and talk or fax at the same time on the same phone line.
Yes. If you have an AT&T business line installed in your home, then you can order the 384 and 768 options, as long as your line is qualified to support your desired speed option.
| Operating System | Processor | Memory | Free Disk Space | CD-ROM Required | Network Interface |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows® XP | Pentium® or equivalent: 300 Mhz or faster | 128MB | 100MB | Yes | Installed 10 BASE-T Ethernet NIC and installed dial-up modem |
| Windows NT® (V4.0 w/ Service Pack 4 or higher) |
Pentium or equivalent: 166 Mhz or faster |
64MB | 50MB | Yes | Open PCI slot or USB port or installed 10 BASE-T Ethernet NIC and installed dial-up modem |
| Windows NT® (V4.0 w/ Service Pack 4 or higher) |
Pentium or equivalent: 100Mhz or faster |
32MB | 50MB | Yes | Open PCI slot or USB port or installed 10 BASE-T Ethernet NIC and installed dial-up modem |
| Macintosh® (OS 8.x, 9.x, 10.1 & Open Transport 1.1.2 or higher, w/AOL need OS 8.1 & Open Transport 1.3 or higher) | Power Mac or Faster | 32MB | 50MB | Yes | Installed 10 BASE-T Ethernet NIC and installed dial-up modem |
To test your computer to see if it is compatible with AT&T FastAccess DSL, download our Computer Qualification Tool.
Can I use my own equipment? A DSL router is the appropriate equipment to use with AT&T FastAccess Business Speed 384 and 768 product options. AT&T can provide a DSL router with a professional installation or in a self install package. Also, you may provide your own router and your equipment vendor can advise if a particular brand or model is compatible. AT&T is only able to support routers that AT&T has provided.
Are there any different computer requirements for AT&T FastAccess Business Speed 384 or 768 options?
No. The same PC requirements exist for all AT&T FastAccess DSL options.
Yes. You may choose to install your own AT&T FastAccess Business DSL product with your own equipment or utilize an AT&T installation kit rather than a professional installation. Business customers who have their AT&T FastAccess DSL line within a PBX or key system may select self-installation. AT&T, however, will not be held responsible for problems when self-installation is performed under those arrangements.
You may review a list of equipment that is approved for use with AT&T FastAccess Business DSL, but not supported by AT&T customer care.
The Netopia 3347NWG is the router available with AT&T FastAccess Business DSL. This is a multipurpose router that can be used to support an Ethernet "wired" connection to the Internet or, with a wireless adapter, it can serve as a wireless connection for laptops and desktops. The router comes with an ICSA (Internet Centre for Security Analysis) compatible firewall that is automatically enabled.
Most new PC laptops come equipped with a PCMCIA slot for an adapter card. Most PC laptops and desktops manufactured since 1996 have one or more USB ports built in. Therefore, (properly equipped) laptops can use either a USB or a PCMCIA adapter. Most (properly equipped) desktops will be limited to a USB adapter, only. We recommend using PCMCIA adapters for laptops and USB adapters for desktops. If you wish to purchase wireless adapters visit https://contact.bellsouth.com/dsl/businesscpe.
A total of 4 adapters, in any combination, USB or PCMCIA, can be ordered during the initial AT&T FastAccess order. To purchase additional adapters, which will be shipped separately, visit https://contact.bellsouth.com/dsl/businesscpe.
If you already have an 802.11g compatible adapter or a compatible internal wireless card such as Intel Centrino, then you will not need to purchase an additional adapter in order to establish a wireless DSL connection with your 3347W router. However, if you do not have an 802.11g compatible adapter visit https://contact.bellsouth.com/dsl/businesscpe.
Disable/Enable WEP Encryption procedure for 3347W
- Open an Internet Browser from a computer directly connected to the 3347W.
- In the address field type, "192.168.1.254" and hit "Enter" or the "Go" button.
- You will then be prompted to put in your 3347W's User Name and Password. Your User Name will always be "admin" Your Password is the one that you used when you first set up your router to communicate with the AT&T network.
- The 3347W will then take you into the basic home page of the 3347W. While on the basic home page, click on the "Expert Mode" button.
- The 3347W will confirm that it is going into Expert Mode, verify that you want to go into Expert Mode by clicking "YES".
- The 3347W is now in Expert Mode. Next, click on the "Configure" Tab to configure your wireless settings.
- Next, click on the "LAN" link.
- Next, click on the "Wireless" link as shown below.
- You will now be in the "Wireless Settings" as shown below. Next, click on the "Advanced" link within the "Wireless Settings" screen.
- To turn off WEP, click on the "down arrow" box in the "Privacy" Section next to the "WEP- Manual" setting. A drop down menu will give you four choices. Click on the "Off- No Privacy" setting at the bottom of the box that appears.
- When you select the "No Privacy" setting the Encryption information below the Privacy box will disappear as shown below. You will now click on "Submit" and then you will click on the yellow triangle at the top of the screen.
- You will then be forwarded to the "Save Change" screen of the 3347W. Here you will click on the "Save and Restart" link below in order to apply the changes.
- At this point the 3347W will be rebooting. You can see this with the screen below as well as by watching the LED's on the front of the 3347W.
- To verify that your "WEP disable" has taken effect when the router refreshed, you will have to relog into the 3347W and go back into the Configure -> LAN -> Wireless -> screen (as shown in steps 3 thru 9) and verify that "Privacy" is set to "Off - No Privacy."
Yes. Modem drivers are available to support these operating systems.
The router option is available to customers who qualify for AT&T FastAccess Business DSL Service. The router option will allow you to use a router to connect multiple computers to your AT&T FastAccess Service. There is no additional charge for multiple computer usage, however AT&T will only install and configure AT&T FastAccess DSL on two stand-alone or LAN computers in connection with the installation process. Additional charges will apply for configuration and installation of additional computers.
The router option is available to customers who qualify for AT&T FastAccess Business DSL Service. The router option will allow you to use a router to connect multiple computers to your AT&T FastAccess Service. There is no additional charge for multiple computer usage, however AT&T will only install and configure AT&T FastAccess DSL on two stand-alone or LAN computers in connection with the installation process. Additional charges will apply for configuration and installation of additional computers. With a router, multiple computers can be connected to a single AT&T FastAccess DSL line at no additional monthly cost.
Yes. You can upgrade to a router by placing your order at www.fastaccess.com.
Yes. Most client-based Virtual Private Network (VPN) products use a secure Internet protocol (IPsec) that requires an ethernet connection to a modem or router and the ability to "pass-through" the modem or router. If your VPN service can "pass-through" your router, then AT&T FastAccess Business Speed 384 and 768 options can support your VPN. It is necessary to check with your VPN and router vendors to ensure that your VPN and router are compatible with one another and that the router is configured correctly to "pass-through" the secure VPN signal. AT&T FastAccess DSL product options are capable of supporting VPNs.