Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is a modem technology that uses existing twisted-pair telephone lines to transport voice and high-bandwidth data, such as multimedia and video, to service subscribers. It is one of the technologies that could be used to provide network access to UND networked services and to the Internet at the Greek houses and campus apartment complexes at UND.
During this past year US West, now Qwest, has been providing and extending DSL services in many areas in Grand Forks. This option will provide indirect high-speed network access to UND networked services at a cost that would be determined by the level of service requested. There are options that would allow for individuals to make this choice on their own or for a fraternity or sorority to make a larger commitment that could service multiple connections in areas where network cabling is present or where it is feasible to install cabling. This may be in an area where multiple computers can be located in close proximity. DSL service allows simultaneous network access and phone service on the subscribed lines. UND could retain phone and long distance services for phone connections not subscribing to DSL services. DSL service can also be provisioned over a spare telephone line that is not being used for telephone service. This is especially the case when higher speed DSL circuits are being requested. Anyone interested in subscribing to DSL should contact Qwest for both installation and service.
We continue to research and evaluate different technologies. One such technology is wireless. While wireless today may not provide the level of service students are accustomed to on campus, we will continue to investigate as the standards develop. The current wireless technology provides 11 Mbps of bandwidth shared by all users assigned to a specific access area. This works for email, document sharing, web surfing, etc. but has limitations for voice and video. Security and management concerns include having the ability to identify users on a ubiquitous network.