General Broadband Setup Guide

1. Before you begin
2. Connecting Microfilters
3. Connecting your router or modem
4. Connecting to the Internet

1. Before you begin

Make sure your broadband connection is up and running before you start setting up - we'll email you when it's ready.

Read the instructions that came with your hardware, see if you need to install any software as part of the set up. If you do, use the installation CD and follow the on-screen instructions.

2. Connecting Microfilters

Microfilters look small and unimportant but they're essential for keeping your phone and Internet services from interfering with each other. Without microfilters you'll see poor speeds and connection drops

• Plug a microfilter into each telephone socket that's used at your property
• If you had to unplug something you can plug it back into the Phone socket of the microfilter
• Connect your router or modem to one of the microfilters using the cable provided
• If you need more filters, you can buy them from most electrical or computer stores

See our Guide To Fitting Microfilters for more information.

3. Connecting your router or modem

To your computer:

Connect your router or modem to your computer. Depending on your hardware you'll do this:

• Over wireless or
• With an Ethernet cable or
• With a USB cable

If you're using a USB cable, you'll probably need to install software on your computer, check the instructions that came with your hardware.

To your telephone line:

Plug one end of the DSL cable into your router or modem. Plug the other end into the DSL socket of the microfilter you plugged in during step 2.

If your broadband hardware needs a separate power supply, you should connect, plug it into a power socket and switch your hardware on.

4. Connecting to the Internet

Now your router or modem is installed you'll need to configure it to connect to the Internet.

If you're setting up a router (wired or wireless):

You'll need to connect to the router's configuration screens and enter your account details. You can usually access these using a web browser. Check your router's instructions on how to do this. Once you've accessed your router's setup screens, enter your username and password:

• Broadband Username: username@plusdsl.net
• Password: The password you use to log in to this website

On some routers you may also need these details:

• Data Circuit Information: VPI = 0 (Virtual Path Identifier) VCI = 38 (Virtual Channel Identifier)
• Data Link Encapsulation: PPPoA
• PPP Properties: VC Multiplexed

Once the router confirms that it's connected, open a web browser (such as Internet Explorer or Safari) and you'll be able to browse the web and check email immediately.

If you have a USB modem or PCI card:

You should be able to setup your connection details by double clicking on the connection icon (you can normally find this in the lower right-hand corner of your screen or on your desktop). This will open your modem settings window. Enter your username and password and click Connect (or Dial in some cases).

• Broadband Username: username@plusdsl.net
• Password: The password you use to log in to this website

Once you see confirmation that you're connected, open a web browser (such as Internet Explorer or Safari) and you'll be able to browse the web and check email immediately.

This page last updated 5th August 2009