ADSL - Highspeed Internet trough your Phone

What is ADSL?

ADSL is a technology that allows high-speed digital internet data to share a copper wire with regular analog telephone service. With ADSL you can get access the internet at speeds up to 12 Mbps.

Speed

The speed of ADSL degrades over distance from the telephone exchange building so, depending on your location, ADSL may be up to one or two hundred times faster than a standard 54k dial-up connection.

IP Telephone

ADSL provider Yahoo! BB includes IP telephone service at no extra charge. That service, called BBPhone, sends phone calls over the internet at greatly reduced prices. For example, the rate for calling the U.S. is only 2.5 yen/minute. (No special equipment is needed to use BBPhone, not even a computer--the calls are made using your regular phone). NTT has a similar service, but at higher rates. The savings from phone calls may even exceed the cost of the internet access service!

Low Cost

The low cost of ADSL in Japan makes Japan one of the cheapest places in the world for broadband Internet access. For unlimited access, speed, and low cost, this is really the way to go! Sign up in English with BB Apply or a similar service and hit the Internet at speeds you may have only dreamed of!

Wireless

A very cool option for the mobile crowd. Slip a special PCMIA card into your laptop and make your connection match your machine: mobile.

Cable: Internet, Telephone and TV

Condition

If your building is wired, you might be able to get broadband Internet, cable TV, and telephone service through your cable company.

How can I find out?

Check with your property owner to see if your building already has it or has plans to get it. If not, check with a local cable company.

Fiber Optic Cable

The latest and greatest offer for connectivity for the masses, fiber optic cable boasts speeds of up to 100mbs: that's fast, super fast. Although still limited to certain areas and a bit more expensive than ADSL, NTT is really pushing the cable and offering enticing packages (somewhere in the neighborhood of ¥3,000 - 4,000/month). Check out NTT East or NTT West for more info.

Connection with standard (analog) phone

If for some reason you are unable to obtain 'always-on' service such as broadband (e.g., ADSL) or Flet's ISDN, there are optional services you can order from NTT to keep the charges down. Contact NTT English Customer Service (0120-364-463) and ask to find out about the latest specials and plans that match your needs.

Computers/Internet: Other Sources

Forums

Questions/comments? Go to the Computers/Internet Forum

Internet Service Provider Links

• Yahoo!BB. Inexpensive ADSL service.
• BB Apply. English sign-up for Yahoo!BB.
• SpinNet. Internet service from access points throughout Japan. Global Roaming in 150 countries.
• FUSION GOL.
• American Online, Japan Office.
• Asahi Net.
• OCN.

Wireless

• WillCom.
• K-OPTI.

Computer Clubs

• Tokyo PC Users Group. Japan's largest English-speaking personal computer club, with a particular interest in bilingual personal computing.
• NIPCC. Nagoya International PC Club. PC Users Unite! at noon on the third Saturday of every month to discuss PCs in English.