DSL Frequently Asked Questions NOTE: DSL Line Filters are available from the NFN HelpDesk Office and cost $1 each.
1. Why are DSL Line filters needed? 2. What is that noise I hear on the phone? 3. What do I do with the line filters received? 4. Where should I install the line filters? 5. What do I do if I have two line phones and do not know which line is carrying the DSL signal? 6. How do I install a line filter on my wall-mount telephone? 7. Should I connect a line filter onto my modem? 8. Can I use a filter for a phone that has call waiting? 9. Will the line filter work with all forms of DSL? NOTE: DO NOT PUT A DSL FILTER IN THE PHONE LINE GOING TO YOUR NFN DSL MODEM !!!! IF YOU DO, YOUR NFN DSL MODEM WILL NOT WORK! 1. Why are DSL Line Filters needed? With DSL service, phone lines are used to send and receive voice and data on the same line. Most modern phones will not need a DSL filter installed on them. The line filters enable simultaneous use of Internet and voice by isolating the noise caused by some older analog telephone devices such as telephone, fax machines, answering machines and cable TV pay per view dial ups. DSL filters block the DSL signal from reaching your telephone, fax, or answering machine. Except for your DSL modem, every telephone machine sharing the phone line that has DSL requires a filter. If DSL filters are missing, you may experience reduced DSL speeds as well as static or hissing on the telephone line. 2. What is that noise I hear on the phone? Try this trick if you have hooked up your DSL modem to the phone line. Pick up a telephone that is connected to the same phone line and hit the key "5". Normally, there would be dead silence for a few seconds, but on a telephone line that has a DSL modem installed, one may hear uneven whirring noise. This is the High Speed DSL singnal that the filters block out. The amount of interference will vary with the phone technical design, but a DSL line filter installed on the phone will completely remove all the interference. 3. What do I do with the line filters I purchased? DSL line filters are available at many office supply and computer stores. NFN has filters available and purchase information is here . Disconnect the telephone from the wall jack and plug the a line filter into the wall jack, connect the telephone into the phone jack on the filter. Your telephone or telephone device is now isolated from the DSL modem. 4. Where should I install the line filters? Install a line filter everywhere an analog telephone device is used within the home or office. Analog phone devices include: telephones, fax machines, analog modems, caller ID and answering machines. 5. What do I do if I have two line phones and do not know which line is carrying the DSL signal? The DSL signal will only be on the assigned telephone number. Whatever phone line you submitted to NFN for DSL install will be the modem connected line. Do NOT install a line filter into the phone jack feeding the DSL modem. 6. How do I install a line filter on my wall-mount telephone? The line filter is designed so no tools are needed. Simply remove the telephone from the wall-plate and plug the line filter into the wall jack. Snap the telephone back into place and you are finished. 7. Should I connect a line filter onto my DSL modem? No, if connected to the phone line going to the DSL modem it would block the DSL signal from reaching your DSL modem. 8. Can I use a filter for a phone that has call waiting? Yes, the line filter does not affect the call waiting telephone service. 9. Will the line filter work with all forms of DSL? The line conditioners NFN provide are designed to function with the NFN digital subscriber lines ( DSL ). Other DSL line conditioners may work also. NOTE: DO NOT PUT A DSL FILTER IN THE PHONE LINE GOING TO YOUR NFN DSL MODEM !!!! IF YOU DO, YOUR NFN DSL MODEM WILL NOT WORK!
