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ISDN Notes

Reviews of ISDN Routers: PC Magazine
Ascend Maker of leading "router" to connect your Novell or other LAN to ISDN. Note in particular the Ascend Pipeline 75. The site also contains a comparison of Ascend products, and lots of good information about the basics of telecommuting. Ascend
Microsoft Microsoft's Web site info about ISDN, including on-line ordering scripts that let you order service and hardware. Also has info about Windows 95 ISDN access, etc. GetISDN
Speed Comparison Speed comparison chart on Ameritech's web site. (Leaves out 28.8 modems and other high speed solutions (T1?), but is helpful. Speed Comparison
Ameritech Rates Ameritech has lots of general information, and you can wade your way theful. Home special , and general ISDN pricing, with easier pricing for professionals. The key is to avoid per-minute charges for "data" (64kb) lines on business accounts. Residential accounts have both voice (56kb) and data (64kb) at flat rates. Business accounts are charged flat rates for "voice" (56kb) use, and a per-minute charge that can get very high on an always-up line, for "data" (64kb). It is perfectly legal to use "voice" lines (or "voice" calls at 56kb on "data" lines) for Internet access and other computer use.
ISP Internet Access 
ISP             Service         Setup   Monthly Total Monthly**

PSINet          56K/64K ISDN    $495    $245    $295
   (info from JKW)      

World Wide Net  64K leased      $350*  $200-230*  $200-230
World Wide Net  56K/64K ISDN    $75     $200    $240
RustNet         56K/64K ISDN    $150    $210    $250
InterChange     56K/64K ISDN    $350    $250    $290
ICNet           56K/64K ISDN    $199    $250    $290
MSen            56K/64K ISDN    $275    $375    $405


*Includes line.  WWNet's offering is a 64K leased line, a 
fractional T1 (??).  Monthly charge includes the Ameritech 
charges for the line (I can't figure out how to get the 
costs to add up for that to be profitable, but they must 
have worked out something).  Their $350 setup charge does 
not include the Ameritech installation, which is 
generally in the $600 to $800 range.  With some length of 
contract (I'm not sure how long), Ameritech is doing free 
T1 installation if ordered before December 31.  WWNet 
will lease the leased line CSU/DSU and router for, 
"depending on the length of contract, as little as $40 
per month."

**ISP charge plus Ameritech charge.

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