DSL (digital subscriber line) service is provided over a customer's existing telephone line. It does not interfere with or limit the usage of a customer's normal telephone service. The DSL is bundled with BullochNet Internet service as a single service offering.

However, a Data Only DSL line may be provided on a limited basis through the payment of a monthly surcharge in lieu of a telephone line.

DSL provides an "always on" Internet connection at speeds of up to 3Mb down stream and 512Kb upstream. The actual speed may vary based on the distance the customer resides from the switching office and mode of transport (Fiber to the Home or Copper pair). However,speeds will never be less than 512Kb down stream and 128Kb upstream.

This speed relates to the DSL line (from the house to the switching office) and is unrelated to the Internet speed. BullochNet will maintain Internet Bandwidth to provide an average throughput of 384Kb per user. Actual speed may vary based upon the site being accessed by the end user.

The current rate is $49.95 per month. This rate includes the DSL line and Internet service (bandwidth), one E-mail account and the Federal Universal Service Charge. A personal home page is not included in this service.

Installation is $95.00 for the DSL line. However, this charge may be discounted if the customer commits to a 12-month contract for the service. If the customer removes before the 12-month expiration of the contract, they will be responsible for the full installation charge.

This installation is for the line and Internet connection only (excluding jack installation). The DSL also requires the computer be on a station (inside) wire separate from all other telephones. Inside wiring will be provided as necessary under existing procedures and charges.

If the customer needs assistance for work on their computer or installing a modem, they should contact a company that specializes in this function. Bulloch will provide telephone support (to a limited extent) but the customer must isolate their trouble to the DSL line before Bulloch will dispatch repair personnel. If Bulloch repair personnel determine that the problem is caused by the customer equipment, a service charge will be applied.

There is a limitation of where the service can be provided. A customer must be within three (3) miles of a switching office equipped with the DSL equipment. Before selling the service we will need to "qualify" the customer by reviewing the facilities the customer is being served with.

It is Bulloch's intent to provide this service to ALL Bulloch Telephone customers. We currently are converting our copper based DSL to a Fiber to the Home system. The Fiber to the Home system provides significantly higher bandwidth to the user at no additional cost. This conversion is projected to be completed during the 1st quarter of 2011.

Installation for a copper DSL service will require a visit to the customer premise to verify the service is working and to install a "splitter" and to isolate the computer wiring from the telephone sets. As a result we will be limited on the number of service connections we can provide in any week.

Copper based DSL service requires a different modem than analog dial-up Internet. This modem must be compatible with Alcatel G-Lite equipment. Brand names vary, but we have tested Alcatel and Efficient Network modems and found them to be compatible. Bulloch Telephone may at its discretion provide modems on a promotional basis.

Fiber to the Home DSL does not require a modem. Fiber to the Home provides a direct interconnection between the telephone terminal equipment and the NIC card interface using a Category 5/6 Ethernet cable.

All charges will be billed to the customer on the Bulloch Telephone bill. These charges will appear as "DSL Services".