TN114 - International Dialup Internet Access

114.1    Summary

        Even with broadband access in many hotels and wifi hotspots in other
        public locations, dialup access to the Internet is still a convenient
        alternative when there is no other option. AT&T provides a viable option
        for dialup access with local numbers in most cites in the world and
        convenient dialer program that knows the access number for each city.

        I have used the service for several years and have made connections from
        many countries. In general I have found the service to be reliable,
        albeit sometimes slow.

114.2    Establishing an account

        Visit http://aboutus.attbusiness.net/

        For individual users choose credit card billing and select a plan. If
        this account is strictly for backup and you will rarely use it then the
        "US basic plan" for $5.95/month will be a good choice. If you anticipate
        more then 14 hours of usage per month then the "US Comprehensive Plan"
        for $19.95/month may be a better choice.

        This account will automatically charge your credit card each month.

114.3    Dialer Software

        While it is not required to use the AT&T dialer (you may use any PPP
        dial up application including the one built in to Windows). The AT&T
        dialer is much more convenient and it knows the phone numbers for every
        city. The software can be downloaded from:
        https://help.attbusiness.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=downloads.home

114.4    Setting up the software

        When you presented the page titled "User ID" note that the page is
        asking for you account and user ID, not your password. The service was
        designed for corporate accounts and users are identified by both an
        account and an individual user ID. For personal credit card billing the
        account is always "usinet." You will be prompted for your password when
        you dial.

114.5    Security Issues

        Using this dialup account will expose your computer directly to the
        Internet. The use of a personal firewall as well as the latest version
        of Windows, service packs, and security patches is highly recommended.

        While an attack targeting you as an individual will be difficult because
        your address while attached is temporary and not known to anyone in
        advance, there are numerous worms that attack unprotected systems at
        random. Attaching without a firewall and/or the latest security fixes
        can expose you the attacks such as Code Red, SQL Slammer, MSBlaster,
        etc.

114.6    International Use of Account

        Details on international use may be found at:
        ftp://ftp.attglobal.net/pub/client/win32/travelingusersguide.pdf

114.7    Modem Settings

        In some countries, the modem cannot recognize the dial tone of the
        country so it will not start to dial. If this is the case uncheck the
        "Wait for dial tone before dialing" setting in the modem properties.

        Control Panel>
          Phone and Modem Options>
            Select Modem>
              Properties>
                Modem>
                  Dial Control

        Further details at:
        http://www.teleadapt.com/images_special/xphome_dialing_guide.pdf

114.8    Connecting to the Line

        Many countries have adopted the RJ-11 jack, but not all. A detailed
        explanation is available at: http://kropla.com/phones2.htm or
        http://www.teleadapt.com/images_special/worldphone_plugguide.pdf

        Adaptors to covert to RJ-11 may be purchased from TeleAdapt.
        http://www.teleadapt.com/

        The "universal" adapter is an RJ-11 plug attached to two alligator clips
        also available from TeleAdapt.

114.9    Line Tester

        I have found a line tester to be very useful in getting a good
        connection. Besides verifying that the line is good it warns of the
        dangerous proprietary systems (certain PBX systems) that contain
        voltages that could damage your modem. I recommend the TeleTester Pro nf
        Digital Line Tester from TeleAdapt http://www.teleadapt.com/

114.10    Tax Impulses

        Some countries use what are called "tax impulses" on the phone lines.
        These are high frequency pulse signals which are used to meter local
        phone usage and assign charges. They may interfere with your data
        connection and keep you from making a successful connection. You may
        encounter tax impulses in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany,
        Spain, and Switzerland. To get around this, you may need what's known as
        a tax impulse filter available from http://www.teleadapt.com/

114.11    Digital Phones

        Some hotels provide only digital connections to the handsets in the
        rooms. Ositech provides an interface card that can attach to a digital
        handset. http://www.ositech.com/Products/5os.htm

114.12    Sending mail

        One of the nice features of the AT&T service is that you may use the
        SMTP server to send email with an address from any domain and you may
        use the SMTP server no matter how you have attached to the Internet.

        For example if you have your email client set to send mail the AT&T SMTP
        server it will work when you have dialed in to AT&T or if you are using
        a broadband connection in your hotel.

        You must choose the server asmtp.attglobal.net. The user name is in the
        form of "account.userid" where account is usinet for credit card
        billing.

        Although not documented, asmtp.attglobal.net will accept TSL connections
        via the STARTTLS command. However the certificate is registered to
        asmtp.prserv.net and you must address the machine as asmtp.prserv.net,
        not asmtp.attglobal.net.