Digital Phone Service Glossary
Digital Phone Service
ACN Digital Phone Service allows you to make and receive calls through your pre-existing high-speed broadband Internet connection. This service converts sound into data, sends it over the Internet, and converts it back into sound at the other end. Digital Phone Service is the same digital sound and reliable quality you’ve come to expect without the need for inside home wiring. ACN maintains and operates our own Digital Phone Service network that works with our video phones and phone adapters.
 Video Phone
The ACN Video Phone is the latest technology in communication that let’s you see the person you’re talking to – in real time. ACN Video Phones work with Digital Phone Service and requires a wired, high-speed Internet connection. Equipped with features you can’t get anywhere else such as Digital Photo Frame, Video Mail and Face-to-Face communication, ACN Video Phones also offer the popular calling features you expect such as Call Waiting, Caller ID and Voice Mail. You can make and receive calls just like with a traditional phone.
To use an ACN Video Phone, you will need:
- ACN Digital Phone Service
- A high speed, wired Internet connection such as Cable or DSL (minimum 200 kbps)
- A U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico billing and shipping address
- Recommended Setup: Router with Ethernet Cable
 Phone Adapter
Also known as an Analog Phone Adapter (ATA), a Phone Adapter allows you to use your existing telephone through your Internet connection. Simply connect your ACN Phone Adapter to your high-speed Internet connection, and connect your telephone to the phone adapter and you’re ready to make calls!
To use an ACN Phone Adapter, you will need:
- ACN Digital Phone Service
- A high speed, wired Internet connection such as Cable or DSL (minimum 128 kbps)
- A U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico billing and shipping address
 Router
Routers link to the internet and allow information to flow between devices and networks. With this networking device, you can utilize multiple devices on your network (video phone, computer, gaming device, etc.) without overextending your network. ACN recommends using a router with your video phone to give you the best service quality available. Using a router gives you the opportunity to connect your video phone and your computer to the Internet without interruption or delay to your service.
ACN has tested and recommends the LINKSYS WRT160N router. Available at most major electronic and computer retailers.
 Modem
This is a device used to interpret the signals coming to/from your ACN device to the Internet. A modem is necessary to gain access to the Internet.
Broadband High-Speed Internet (HSI)/Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
In order to use your ACN Digital Phone Service and Video Phone, you will need a wired, high-speed Internet connection (Cable or DSL) with a minimum speed of 200 kbps. (You will need an Ethernet connection between your video phone and the router).
Broadband High-Speed Internet (HSI) is offered by most cable companies using existing cable TV cable in the home. Cable internet speeds usually have peak speeds greater than DSL.
DSL is a high-speed Internet connection delivered via regular phone lines and requires no additional lines to be installed at the location where traditional phone service is already active.
 Ethernet Cable
Ethernet cables are used to connect multiple pieces of equipment to your network. These cables are essential for connecting modems, routers, computers, ACN Video Phones and Phone Adapters. Your ACN device comes with a blue Ethernet cable.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Wide Area Network refers to a home network and allows multiples devices such as video phones, computers, and gaming systems to share one internet connection. The ACN Video Phone uses a WAN connection to a router to connect your video phone to your home’s network.
Kilobits Per Second (kbps)
A basic unit of measurement used to calculate how fast your Internet download and upload speeds. For example, if you are using an ACN Video Phone, you will need a minimum of 200 kbps. To test your current upload and download speeds, click here.
IP Address
Every device on the network requires a unique IP address. This address can be assigned by your Internet Service provider, a router, or assigned manually. ACN's Video Phones and Phone Adapters are set up to automatically obtain the IP Address from whichever device is issuing it.
Speed Test
ACN has developed a Speed Test that allows users to test their Internet connection to see if their download and upload speeds are sufficient to work with an ACN Video Phone or Phone Adapter. Click here to run your speed test. |
