[aarav]

We recently moved from the States to Pacific View in Stanley / Tai Tam.

The building only seems to have PCCW broadband connectivity. We just got it installed and to my dismay found out that one requires a log in and password to get connected to the broadband line at home.

We have a Vonage device which has allowed us to port our US telephone number here - but, the phone cannot log in !! - so, (1) is this common practice amongst ISP providers to require a log in and password from home? (2) Has anyone encountered this issue and have a technical solution for it?

Thanks

[KnowItAll]

Most of the connections provided to residential customers are "PPPoE" .. and require a login. They're not the "Always On" type connections that some folks might be used to.

Best way to get around this is to buy a residential router... like Linksys etc that keeps the connection on, all the time and shares that connection with the computer(s) and other devices that need internet access through wired / wireless connections.

[CarterTG]

There are two predominant types of broadband; cable and DSL.

In a typical cable broadband situation, the provider uses the cable modem's unique hardware number (address) to authenticate & allow access. Plug the computer to the modem's ethernet port & it's simply connected to the web.

In most cases for DSL broadband, the provider always requires that equipment (PC) on your end logs on with ID/PW. A typical DSL modem comes configured in "bridge mode" where the PC connected to it does the DSL login. (PPPoE) After some predetermined minutes of inactivity, the provider drops the (web) connection. When this happens, most users have a checkbox somewhere toggled where the PC will re-login automatically with the stored PW/ID. Return to the computer after some downtime, fire up the browser to access the web, and the PPPoE dialer typically takes an unnoticed second or two to reestablish access via DSL.

An alternate configuration I've observed is where certain DSL modems offer to act as a "router". That is, instead of the PC doing the login, the PW/ID is stored in the modem. From the PC's standpoint, it believes it's always connected as it never has to do the login.

Your stateside connection may have been the latter. Your HK connection might be configured like the former. You'll need to do the investigative legwork and/or call your provider. In the past handful of american DSL installations I've seen (SBC/AT&T), the underside of the DSL modem contain instructions on how to access the configuration webpage embedded in the modem. This config page MIGHT offer to toggle between bridge mode and router mode. Venture at your own risk and if all this has sounded like hillbilly yiddish, seek guidance from your DSL provider.

YMMV

[Boris]

From both of these comments -- as a " normal " user at home.
Once logged on, my e mail is auto refreshing every 5 minutes or so so this must keep the PCCW connection alive.

In my mind the PCCW connection is always alive, practically anyway. I go for months without logging on. Logging on only normally occurs, say after an auto reboot from a software upgrade. As the user name and password are stored its just a click on Connect to the service.

The only advice I would give is, when wanting fast downloads, switch off the TV decoder. It takes up about 2/3rd of the available bandwidth.