ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) allows you to connect to the Internet at high speeds through your regular copper telephone line. The Israeli phone company, Bezeq, started to offer this service in Israel toward the end of 2000 in various parts of Israel. Bezeq gives you a special modem which converts your regular phone line into a pipeline for high speed digital communications.

They give you special filter plugs for each phone jack so you can continue to make regular phone calls even while you are connected to the Internet. Having your voice phone line available (and not busy because you are surfing the net) is a major plus for moving up to ADSL.

There are two companies that you need in order to get ADSL service:
Bezeq (via their WOW service)
An Israeli Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Click here for a list of Israel ISP's

All ISP's will order the line for you from Bezeq.

They (or Bezeq) will provide you with an ADSL modem box.
There are two ways to connect the ADSL modem to your computer:

1. Via one of the USB ports on the back of your computer

2. Via a network card that you may have in your computer

They will also provide you with special filter plugs that allows you to connect a regular phone to the same outlet.
Make sure they give you enough filter plugs for all phone jacks in your house. If you need more later it will cost you 23 NIS each.

Toward the end of April 2001, I signed up for the service in Ma'aleh Adumim, Israel. This short FAQ will give you some insight on the service.

Why get ADSL ?

ADSL allows you to be connected to the Internet 24 hours a day and to access websites and download files very quickly (many times faster then your regular modem connection). If you are a frequent Internet user (more then 2-3 hours a day) or you download large files from the Internet, you may want to consider getting the service.

What does it cost ?

When I ordered ADLS back in April 2001 the prices were very high.
Here are the prices I paid back then:
ADSL line and modem + installation: $72 to Bezeq
Network card + installtion: $56 to the PC technician
Total installation cost: 533 shekels (I paid 383 on an April special)
The monthly fixed fees were:
Bezeq: 149 shekels ($36) per month
My ISP: 195 shekels including Vat ($47) per month
Total monthly cost: 344 shekels ($83) per month

Updated July 1, 2005
Today ADSL prices are very goodõ
Many companies will lend / give you the ADSL modem for free.

All the ISP's and Bezeq offer different connect speeds ranging from 256kb to 2.0+ meg
The middle price (750kb) monthly fees are about:
Bezeq ($15) + ISP ($10) = $25 per month


• I strongly recommend purchasing PC Firewall software for your computer and anti-virus software.
  Each one costs about $20-$30 (available also from the Internet)
  
  After reading for many years about hackers breaking into networks, I decided that I must install a PC Firewall on my computer. A Firewall is a program that monitors your Internet connection and prevents hackers from snooping and/or taking control of your PC. This is especially important because your PC is now connected 24 hours a day to the Internet and hackers search for these connections (they have special scanning software).
  
  

  Service and Conclusions

  Before choosing an ISP you may want to ask friends for recommendations.
  However, I would strongly suggest not to sign on for a long term commitment.
  If you can not get ADSL service (wiring problems or distance to a Bezeq telephone switch/center) you can also consider getting fast Internet via your cable TV company. I do not use such a service so I can not give any advice about it. My friends tell me that it is good and the prices are almost the same as ADSL.
  
  The bottom line:
  After a few days using ADSL you will not want to go back to a regular modem connection.
  

  Additional Technical Information about ADSL

  DSLFORUM: ADSL FAQ
  
  DSLREPORTS: DSL Verse Cable
  
  
  Question and Comments
  
  
  
  Return to Training