RIYADH, 11 July — The Saudi Telecom Company has launched a new digital subscriber line (DSL) service for Internet users. The service offers high speed, convenient, secure and affordable means for voice, data and video transmission.

“DSL technology enables you to receive or make phone calls without disconnecting the computer from the Internet,” Saud Al-Duwaish, vice president for Regional and Subscribers’ Affairs at STC, told a news conference here on  Monday.

Walid Al-Harkan, director for information development, Ayedh Al-Shamrani, general manager for sales and customer services, and Saleh Al-Jasir and Abid Al Masood from STC’s marketing division were also present.

Last week STC introduced a high-speed ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) service at a substantially low rate of SR220 a month.

STC also announced that the approved ISPs would set the rates for the Internet access. However, it will charge a monthly fee of SR220 for DSL connection. This will be in addition to the one-time charge of SR300 for service activation. The charges are the same for the ADSL service.

Explaining the salient features of the DSL technology, Al-Duwaish said it provides high-speed data connectivity and makes fast web browsing as well as speedy downloads possible. “STC will offer a variety of download speeds ranging from 256 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps,” he said.

Another advantage, according to him, was that the computer would always remain connected to the ISP. “This eliminates the dial-up routines, busy signals, the wait for link-up or lost connections. Of course, the ISP may require you to log on for added security,” the STC official explained.

He said the DSL service makes use of the existing telephone lines, dispensing with the need for special phone lines. However, the subscriber may have to install or upgrade wiring in his home or business for application of the new technology.

It was explained that STC would offer DSL Internet Access Service at speeds of 256 Kbps downstream and 128 Kbps upstream. The DSL works by splitting the range of frequencies into three main groups — voice, outgoing data and incoming data. This makes it possible to use the line for phone calls and data access at the same time.

“The frequency range reserved for incoming data is bigger than the range for outgoing data. This is because users normally want to receive more data than they want to send. In other words, the DSL has larger downstream than upstream bandwidth,” Al-Duwaish pointed out.

He said STC had begun a massive deployment throughout the Kingdom. Announcements will be made as and when DSL is added to more exchanges. The current status of DSL availability could also be checked on the STC web site www.stc.com.sa.

STC has said the DSL service will not interfere with one’s phone calls and vice versa as long as there is a properly installed splitter. Otherwise, there will be disturbance while talking on the phone. The DSL link will also get interrupted every time a phone call is made.