1. What is ISDN?

ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network. ISDN is a high-speed digital telephone service for voice and/or data (such as computer information) which uses existing copper telephone wire. A standard modem changes digital (computer) information to analog (telephone line) information in order to communicate with other computers. ISDN allows the use of digital information all the way through the connection from origin to destination. Digital information is clearer and more distinct, resulting in almost error free communication. Sierra Telephone provides ISDN service for both business and home.

2. What does high-speed data communication mean?

A current modem may be able to move information at 33.6 kilobits per second. An ISDN line can move information at 128 kilobits per second, or about four times as fast. It does this through the use of three "channels" on a single ISDN line. There are two B (bearer) channels that can move information at 64 kilobits per second each. By bonding the two channels into one large channel (something that can be done automatically, depending on your equipment), they can move information at 128 kilobits per second. There is also a D channel that carries information about the type of call being made.

3. What would I use ISDN for?

The data side of ISDN could be used for anything a standard analog modem would be used for, i.e. Internet access, communicating with other computers, communicating with office networks, telecommuting (working from home instead of going to the office), except at a much faster rate, thus saving time.

The voice capabilities of ISDN are similar to Centrex; call hold, three way conference call, call transfer, time and date display, call information display, etc., plus it is digital all the way through the connection. ISDN is also ideal for video conferencing since it can move a great deal of data very quickly.

With three channels available, you can do multiple things at the same time on a single ISDN line. Each B channel has its own ISDN phone number. The numbers will always be sequential. Example: 658-9802 and 658-9803. You can be on the Internet on one B channel and talking on the telephone on the other B channel, or you could be talking to your office while you are sending or receiving a fax, all over a single ISDN line. The D channel communicates with the telephone company switching equipment and tells it how to handle the calls.

4. What does ISDN cost?

IF YOU HAVE EXISTING TELEPHONE SERVICE FROM SIERRA TELEPHONE (Oakhurst/Mariposa Areas):
INSTALLATION:
One time charge for ISDN service	$125.00 (per ISDN line)
MONTHLY RECURRING CHARGES
Business	$34.82
Home	$29.50
PER MINUTE CHARGES FOR LOCAL CALLS (Per B channel)
Business
Period	First Minute	Add'l Minutes
8:00 - 5:00 p.m. (Mon-Fri)	$0.0333	$0.0105
5:00 - 11:00 p.m. (Mon-Fri)	$0.0233	$0.0073
11:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m. (Mon-Fri)	$0.0133	$0.0042
Home
The first 200 non-peak hours (not between 8-5 Monday through Friday) are included in the monthly recurring charges. If home ISDN is used during the 8-5 time period, usage is billed at the same rate as business for that period. If the 200 non-peak hour allowance is exceeded, the per minute charges for business apply to the time over 200 hours. You would have to average over 6 hours each day of the month on ISDN to accumulate 200 hours.
Toll calls (long distance) will be billed by the long distance carrier you select for ISDN. Since currently only AT&T, MCI and Sprint can carry ISDN long distance signals across the country and guarantee 64 kilobits per second, you will have to select one of them for ISDN long distance if you want 64k service. You should contact them for pricing information on long distance ISDN. You will not have to change the long distance carrier you have for your existing telephone service. ISDN could be on one carrier and your existing long distance service could be on a different one. Central Valley customers will need to establish ISDN telephone service through your local telephone provider, following which STI can establish ISDN Internet service.

5. How will I be billed for ISDN?

Sierra Telephone will send you a separate bill for your ISDN service. Long distance charges will appear for each telephone number (B channel) on separate pages. The local charges will appear together on their own page. There will be a page with totals for all ISDN services.

6. Will I need new equipment for ISDN?

You will need to purchase either an ISDN telephone or an ISDN Terminal Adapter , depending on your intended use of ISDN service. Most people will probably need a Terminal Adapter (TA) which is the ISDN equivalent of a modem. There are many different TAs, just as there are many different modems. Some are internal (installed inside your computer) and some are external, just as with modems. The TA allows your computer to access the Internet, communicate with other computers, communicate with Local Area Networks, etc. Most have at least one non-ISDN connection on them so you can plug in a standard phone, a fax machine, or a standard modem. Because a TA usually has more functions than a modem, it is priced higher. Expect to pay at least twice what you would for a standard modem.

If you have a Local Area Network (LAN), you can connect your network to an ISDN router that may allow the units on the network to access a single ISDN line simultaneously. With the router, you would not need a terminal adaptor.

7. Where can I purchase this equipment?

Most good computer stores can get the equipment for you if they don’t have it in stock. The Sierra Tel Tronics Business Center in Oakhurst sells the 3ComImpact IQ external Terminal Adapter. We have done extensive testing with this unit. Currently, this is the only TA that we support.

8. How do I order ISDN service?

Contact the Sierra Telephone ISDN Specialist, Lance Goss, at 641-ISDN (641-4736) in the Oakhurst area or 742-ISDN (742-4736) in the Mariposa area.

9. How long will it take for me to get ISDN?

Once it has been determined that your location is in an area with ISDN capability, it will take approximately two weeks for the line to be installed.

10. Is ISDN Internet service available?