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Currently available ADSL services require changes to the phone point on the wall of the customer's house, requiring a visit from a BT engineer. At present, when fitting ADSL the engineer will also install and test BT-approved ADSL equipment, in the form of either a USB modem or Ethernet router. Only this equipment can be connected to the ADSL service, and ISPs are not allowed to offer alternatives.

The process of self-installation is much easier. After arranging for ADSL to be turned on at the exchange, users simply install a splitter similar to a conventional twin-plug phone adapter to their phone point, with no engineer visit required. They then

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plug in a USB or Ethernet ADSL modem, and follow their ISPs instructions for connecting.

However, despite the service being launched on 15 January, only five small ISPs have so far rolled-out self install ADSL, with the major players - AOL, Demon, and Freeserve - only testing the service. According to sources, the wholesale price to ISPs of £25 per month for each user will mean the service can only be offered to customers at around £35 - just £5 less than most current USB ADSL installations.

But BT claims there is more to self-install than reducing the price. The company's director of broadband services, Bruce Stanford, claimed that 'evidence from other countries shows self-install gives a huge boost to demand for ADSL by making installation for the customer as easy as setting up a video recorder, with no need to wait in for an engineer.'

Pipex are one ISP taking advantage of self-install to launch Xtreme Solo, their first ADSL service for home users. The company has also set up a £2 million Broadband Development Fund to provide free installation 40,000 users. Users will only be charged the monthly fee of £29.95.