dialup

BIT.net offers dialup packages for a simple world - generous session times, no download limits and local call access around the nation! No confusing contracts to sign and you can pay as you go - all you need is your computer and a dialup modem (we can supply you a modem if you don't have one already).

We're sure that you'll find something that suits your needs. Got an ISDN service? No worries. Sign up for any of the dialup packages as listed for single channel ISDN access, or turbo-charge your internet experience and select from one of our dual channel plans for twice the speed!

Please note that for ISDN access, you will need active phone line(s) capable of ISDN and an ISDN modem. Both of these requirements will need to be met before you sign up with us as we cannot provide either to you. Please see the tips and terms section for more information.

in this section
dialup plans	isdn plans	tips and terms	payment options
frequently asked questions
what is dialup?	what is isdn?

dialup plans

Simple billing and unlimited data (except for the Standard Dial plan) - the freedom to use the internet as you want to. The Standard and Deluxe plans come with up to 5 e-mail addresses and 10MB of webspace (setup on request), while the Platinum and Permanent plans come with up to 10 e-mail addresses and 50MB of webspace (setup on request).

dialup plans

plan	data quota1	session timeout2	price3	excess usage4	price cap5
Standard Dial	100MB	4hrs	$8.80	11c/MB	$14.95	signup now!
Deluxe Dial	unlimited	4hrs	$12.95	n/a	n/a	signup now!
Platinum Dial	unlimited	8hrs	$24.95	n/a	n/a	signup now!
Permanent Dial	unlimited	none	$55.00	n/a	n/a	signup now!

1. This is the plan's monthly quota measured in Megabytes. For charging purposes, BIT.net considers 1 Megabyte to be made from 1000 Kilobytes. See tips and terms below.
2. This is the connection time limit. BIT.net provides dialup (except for permanent plans) on a contended basis meaning that your session will end after the specified number of hours at which point you will have to dial up again. This is done to maintain network stability and ensure fairness.
3. This is the plan's monthly price, and is only an indication of the charge for ongoing provision of the ADSL service. It does not include installation/termination/modification and/or hardware fees, any fees charged through late payment of account, any add-on options provided nor excess usage fees should the plan include them.
4. This is a price per unit of usage (generally cents per megabyte) dictating how a plan is charged once you reach and exceed the monthly data quota. Not all plans have excess usage prices, and the ones that do generally have a price cap (afterwhich normal shaping applies) to limit the maximum amount that you can pay.
5. This is the maximum price you can pay on plans that have excess usage prices. Essentially once you use the monthly data quota, data is charged at the excess usage price until this price cap, afterwhich normal shaping occurs. Not all plans have price caps, generally the ones with excess usage charges (this is stop you from getting a massive bill).

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isdn plans

Leveraging the simplicity of the dialup plans listed above, the ISDN plans add on more speed for those with multiple modems or an ISDN service. The Standard and Deluxe plans come with up to 5 e-mail addresses and 10MB of webspace (setup on request), while the Platinum and Permanent plans come with up to 10 e-mail addresses and 50MB of webspace (setup on request).

dialup plans

plan	channels1	data quota2	session timeout3	price4	excess usage5	price cap6
Standard ISDN	1	unlimited	4hrs	$12.95	n/a	n/a	signup now!
Deluxe ISDN	2	unlimited	4hrs	$24.95	n/a	n/a	signup now!
Platinum ISDN	2	unlimited	8hrs	$49.95	n/a	n/a	signup now!
Permanent ISDN (single)	1	unlimited	none	$55.00	n/a	n/a	signup now!
Permanent ISDN (dual)	2	unlimited	none	$110.00	n/a	n/a	signup now!

1. This is the number of channels (physical phone lines) the modem will connect to. The lines will need to already be ISDN compatible and you will need an ISDN modem. Please contact us if you need more information.
2. 3, 4, 5, and 6. Please see the description in the footnotes of the dialup plans above for a description of these columns.

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tips and terms

At BIT.net we like to be up front about our policies as well as the terms and conditions of our service. Here are just a few points which should help clear up some of your confusion. Once again, if you have any more questions please contact us!

1. BIT.net operates a nation-wide dialup number (one of the 01983x numbers), and even though it should be a local call for you - we can't guarantee it. We recommend that you chat to your local call provider to be sure that the number you dial is considered 'local'.
2. Please remember that the prices shown above do not include telephone charges, which you will incur for using the service - they are your responsibility.
3. BIT.dialup services are delivered on a month-to-month contract - when you are billed for a given month, you are contracted to serve (and pay for) that month, which is not refundable.
4. To signup for ISDN, you must have already functioning phone line(s) and an ISDN modem. These requirements can be provided by your telephone service provider (Telstra or other). Once you have these pre-requisites BIT.net can provide you with the actual connection to the Internet and bandwidth.

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payment options

BIT.net provides a number of payment options all of which have certain conditions and parameters that are specified here. If you have any further questions about our accepted methods of payment please contact us.

automatic direct debit (credit card and bank account)

This method of payment is the easiest way to settle your account. You provide to us a signed authorisation form stating that we can directly debit either a bank account or credit card each month on the due date for the invoice in question (generally 7 days after issue). BIT.net is very careful with your payment details and will not divulge them to any third party. See our privacy policy for more information.

This is our preferred payment method as it is the most reliable and requires little to no manual reconcilliation.

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frequently asked questions

what is dialup?

Dialup was the first popular means for connecting remote sites (such as your home) to the internet. Dialup functions using a normal telephone line to 'dial up' to a remote server, at which point an authentication is done using a username and password, and the 'session' becomes established.

Dialup uses audible tones to transfer data and negotiate the session (ie the noises you hear when the modem is connecting and continuously on the line while connected). This is made possible through the use of a MOdulator/DEModulator, or more simply 'modem'. Thus, a dialup modem (common nowadays are the '56k' dialup modems, which BIT.net recommends) is required to use a dialup connection, and because the connection uses audible tones to transmit the data it requires exclusive use of the phone line to maintain a connection to the Internet - meaning you cannot take or make calls while you are connected.

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what is isdn?

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) communicates in a different way to normal dialup, but still uses your normal phone lines and audible tones. The different here, however, is that ISDN-compatible lines are rated at 64 Kilobits per second, and require a different modem (see what is dialup? above) to what normal dialup uses.

ISDN lines can be linked together to provide a faster service. Each line is refered to as a 'channel', and this 'multi-linking' of channels is another reason for the seperate modem. Each line still 'dials' and authenticates as per normal dialup, but the modem is capable of realising when a call is coming in and will disconnect that channel to allow you to take phone calls uninhibited.

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