DSL

DSL, which stands for Digital Subscriber Line, is a technology that allows high-speed Internet connection over regular copper telephone lines or in some cases fiber optic cables. This connection is a dedicated digital circuit from your home to the telephone company's central office. DSL provides a separate channel for voice transmission, which means that voice and fax calls can be carried at the same time data can be uploaded and downloaded across the line.

DSL can connect your computer to the Internet at speeds as fast as 8.192 Mbps (50 Mbps fiber optic cable), using the copper lines that already bring you phone service. In addition to offering significantly better download and upload times than traditional dial up, DSL offers the benefit of being always on -- you don't have to dial up your Internet service provider every time you want to get on the Net. Unlike cable modems, DSL connections, as mentioned above, are dedicated, so you do not have to share bandwidth with other users in your neighborhood.

There are several variations of DSL, but all achieve their high speeds the same way: by sending data over previously unused frequencies in phone lines. Regular voice signals travel over phone lines at frequencies ranging from 0 kHz to 4 kHz. Standard modems use the same frequencies as voice. But DSL uses frequencies between 25 kHz and 30 MHz. That extra bandwidth also means it can send more data.

• • DSLServicesVariations
  • CableInternet
  • DSLvsCable (Comparison between DSL and Cable Internet)
  • BroadbandProviders

-- RobRiitano - 15 Dec 2005